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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:29 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Horse racing: Derby also-ran Desert Party injured, out indefinitely

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Derby also-ran Desert Party will have surgery for a bone chip in his left front ankle and is sidelined indefinitely.

The 3-year-old colt owned by Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed finished 14th behind Mine That Bird in Saturday's Derby at Churchill Downs.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford says he doesn't expect the injury to be career threatening.

The chip was discovered during a series of X-rays taken after the Derby. Crisford says he isn't sure when the injury occurred, but that it contributed to the horse's poor showing in the Run for the Roses.

Crisford says he's hopeful Desert Party can return to the track during the second half of the year and continue to run in 2010 as a 4-year-old.

Desert Party was purchased for $2.1 million.