Saratoga Mischief sidelined by ankle chip

ELMONT, N.Y. – One horse who will not make the Champagne Stakes is Saratoga Mischief, the runner-up to Exaggerator in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 16.

Saratoga Mischief has an ankle chip that needs to be surgically removed, according to Randy Gullatt, farm/racing manager for Twin Creeks Racing, which owns the son of Harlan’s Holiday.

“Hopefully have him back before the Derby prep season begins,” Gullatt said in an e-mail.

Saratoga Mischief, trained by Todd Pletcher, won his debut at Saratoga by a neck over next-out winner Greenpointcrusader. Saratoga Mischief had the lead into deep stretch of the Saratoga Special before he was run down by Exaggerator.