Vindication out of Triple Crown

ARCADIA, Calif. - Vindication, the champion 2-year-old colt of 2002, willmiss the Triple Crown after suffering a suspensory injury in training last week, trainer Bob Baffert said on Thursday.

Ending a week of speculation about the colt's well-being, Baffert said that Vindication suffered the injury after a gallop on Jan. 30. Tests conducted on Wednesday confirmed the injury, he said.

"We don't have all the answers," Baffert said. "We won't know for 60 days. We found a suspicious spot and we have to do an ultrasound in 60 days. I'm devastated."

Baffert said that Vindication will remain with his California stable while he is recuperating and that there is a chance he will return to racing later this year.

"We're hoping to work out a fall campaign," he said. "I feel optimistic that it can heal up. The timing is terrible."

Owned by Padua Stable, Vindication was considered the favorite for the Kentucky Derby on May 3, following his unbeaten campaign in 2002, which included a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Arlington Park last October.