Sunland Derby winner Endorsement out of Kentucky Derby with ankle injury

Endorsement out of Derby with ankle injury

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The trainer of Endorsement says her colt has an ankle injury and will not run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Shannon Ritter said she noticed the injury after Endorsement walked off the track at Churchill Downs following a half-mile workout Wednesday morning.

The racing manager for the Endorsement’s owner WinStar Farm said X-rays showed a fracture of the right front ankle. Racing manager Elliott Walden says the colt will have surgery in a few days, but it’s too early to determine whether the injury is career-threatening.

Endorsement won the Sunland Derby, and was considered a long shot for the Kentucky Derby.

The field for the Derby will be determined later Wednesday at the post position draw.