Flashback off Kentucky Derby trail with knee chip

Flashback, who finished second to Goldencents in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, was found on Sunday afternoon to have a small chip in his right knee, trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday night. He is off the Kentucky Derby trail, but is expected to make a full recovery after having surgery in Kentucky with Dr. Larry Bramlage.

"There was heat in his right knee and we took X-rays and had them sent to Bramlage," Baffert said Sunday night. "He's got a chip. It's small. It's fresh. When you take it out right away they can make a full recovery."

Baffert said Flashback would leave for Kentucky on Wednesday for the surgery with Bramlage at Rood and Riddle.

Flashback has raced four times, with two wins and two seconds. He won his debut at Hollywood Park in December, then won the Robert Lewis Stakes in February at Santa Anita before finishing second in last month's San Felipe Stakes.

He is owned by Gary and Mary West, whose Derby prospects Code West and Power Broker have disappointed in recent preps. Flashback was considered their best chance for the May 4 Kentucky Derby.

Flashback is the latest high-profile runner to come off the Derby trail, following Hear the Ghost, the San Felipe winner as well as Violence and Ive Struck a Nerve.