Siphonic sidelined, off Derby trail

ARCADIA, Calif. - , who lost as the heavy favorite in both of his starts this year, will be given time off and will not start in the Triple Crown because of an ankle injury, trainer David Hofmans said on Friday.

Siphonic on Thursday underwent a battery of tests, including a nuclear scan, which revealed "wear and tear" to his right front ankle. Hofmans said the colt will be given 30 to 60 days off at owner John and Jerry Amerman's Peacefield Farm in Temecula, Calif.

The tests were conducted after Siphonic finished third as the 2-5 favorite in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 17. Siphonic led by a half-length at the top of the stretch, but was under pressure by midstretch. He finished six lengths behind winner Medaglia d'Oro.

"We didn't like the way he switched leads," Hofmans said. "Something wasn't right. We want to take care of him and do the right thing."

Siphonic has won 3 of 6 starts and $766,978. Purchased for $210,000 as a yearling, he had an outstanding season at 2. Following a maiden win in his debut at Del Mar, Siphonic won the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and scored a convincing win in the Hollywood Futurity in December.

Considered California's top Kentucky Derby prospect at the start of 2002, Siphonic finished second in the Grade 2 Santa Catalina Stakes on Jan. 19 at Santa Anita after a poor start.

Siphonic emerged from that race with a stiff neck and then missed training time in early February when he spiked a fever. He resumed serious training in mid-February and had five workouts before the San Felipe Stakes.

Siphonic will resume training later this spring for a campaign geared toward the second half of the year, Hofmans said.

"I think we'll have a nice horse in the fall," Hofmans said.