Little Matth Man Injured; Faces Some Time Off

Vincent Papandrea's Little Matth Man, eighth in the May 15 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), came out of the race with a chip fracture of his left front knee and could be out for at least six months.

Trainer Marty Ciresa said Little Matth Man, based at Philadelphia Park, walked fine May 17 but later in the day a knee problem was detected and X-rays showed the injury. Plans call for surgery May 20 at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., but it wasn't known whether the procedure would be done because of a salmonella outbreak at the clinic.

New York-bred Little Matth Man, by Matty G, won the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct Feb. 7, then shipped to Turfway Park, where he finished second in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 28 and third in the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) March 20. The colt then finished seventh in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct April 10 and trained up to the Preakness.