Jim Scatuorchio, owner of multiple stakes winner Ready's Image, said Oct. 10 that the colt came out of the Oct. 6 Champagne Stakes (gr. I) with a chip in his knee and will undergo arthoscopic surgery.
The son of More Than Ready , out of Clever Phrase, by Clever Trick was outdistanced in the Champagne as the 5-2 second choice, finishing last in the field of eight. Subsequent X-rays revealed the chip. Ready's Image presently is a at J.J. Pletcher's barn in Florida, awaiting surgery.
"It was something that obviously was bugging him," Scatuorchio said. "The vet said the chips are above the joint and he should return 100%. We're hoping to have him back for the Swale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park."
Ready's Image, who cost $410,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, had won the Sanford (gr. II) and Tremont Stakes in brilliant fashion before finishing second in the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I).
Scatuorchio still will be well-represented in the Breeders' Cup World Championships with English Channel, who will be one of the favorites for the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I).