DECLAN’S MOON (Malibu Moon), last year’s champion two-year-old and one of the
early favorites for the Kentucky Derby (G1), has sustained a knee injury that
will force him to miss the Triple Crown. The undefeated gelding has a “small,
non-displaced chip” in his left knee, trainer Ron Ellis told Daily Racing Form.
“The veterinarians are still trying to decide whether or not it’s going to
require surgery,” Ellis said. “He’s going to get 60 days off, and after that
he’ll be re-evaluated. Obviously, that takes us out of all the big races at
least through the summer.”
After receiving word of the injury on Friday morning, Churchill Downs
suspended wagering on Declan’s Moon in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future
Wager. Declan’s Moon was a close second choice to Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet)
after Thursday’s first day of wagering. Both horses ended the day at odds of
5-1, with slightly more money wagered on Afleet Alex ($6,313) than Declan’s Moon
($5,948).
Declan’s Moon was the favored individual horse in Pool 1 of the Kentucky
Derby Future Wager, closing at odds of 9-1. The mutuel field, which includes all
three-year-olds other than the 23 individual horses, was the 2-1 favorite. There
are no refunds in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Declan’s Moon is unbeaten in five starts with earnings of $627,300. The dark
bay won four races last year, including the Hollywood Futurity (G1), then rolled
to a two-length victory in the Santa Catalina S. (G2) at Santa Anita in his
three-year-old debut last Saturday.
Ellis and his primary veterinarian, Dr. Herb Warren, said they suspect
Declan’s Moon sustained the injury in the Santa Catalina.