Micks Miracle sidelined with ankle injury

DEL MAR, Calif. – Micks Miracle, the sharp winner of an optional claimer July 25, will miss an extended period of training due to an ankle injury, trainer Phil D’Amato said.

Micks Miracle won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs by 7 1/2 lengths for his second win in three starts. D’Amato said last weekend that there is no timetable for Micks Miracle’s return.

“We’re trying to form a game plan,” D’Amato said. “Hopefully, we’ll get him back to the races sometime. He’ll need an operation, but it’s minor.”

Owned by John Liviakis, Micks Miracle won his debut at Santa Anita last December and was third in his second start there June 11. At the time of his most recent victory, Micks Miracle was considered a stakes candidate in the coming months. That has been placed on hold.

“The faster they go, sometimes the more problems they have,” D’Amato said.