Tough Sunday needs time to heal cracked shin

Tough Sunday, a deaf colt who finished last of seven in the $250,000 California Cup Derby on Jan. 24, has been turned out at owner and breeder Nick Alexander’s farm in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Alexander said on Saturday that Tough Sunday emerged from the California Cup Derby with a cracked shin that will not require surgery.

“It’s not displaced,” Alexander said. “He’ll need 60 to 90 days.”

Alexander said he suspects that Tough Sunday was injured midway through the California Cup Derby, which was run at 1 1/16 miles. Trained by Steve Miyadi, Tough Sunday could resume racing during the Del Mar summer meeting, Alexander said.

Tough Sunday fought a sore foot in the days before the California Cup Derby and was deemed healthy enough for a start. Tough Sunday beat maidens in his third start on Dec. 28 and made his fourth start, and stakes debut, in the California Cup Derby.

Tough Sunday had a difficult foaling. He was blind for several days after he was born before regaining sight. He never regained hearing.