Badge of Sliver, who had won his three starts by a combined 26 lengths, was the 6-5 favorite in the Louisiana Derby. Forwardly placed under Robby Albarado, he moved up to challenge Peace Rules at the top of the stretch, but could not sustain his rally and faded to sixth,
Badge of Silver, who suffered his first career loss when sixth behind Peace Rules in Sunday's Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, will undergo throat surgery in the next few days to correct a breathing problem, according to published reports."He sounded like a freight train," trainer Ronny Werner told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "He was blowing. You've got to listen to your horse. He didn't bleed, and he's sound. That tells me he displaced (his soft palate)."The Silver Deputy colt, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, will undergo an endoscopic laser procedure known as a myectomy that is designed to improve the seal between the larynx and the soft palate. Werner told the Times-Picayune the Illinois Derby (gr. II) at Hawthorne April 5 remains on Badge of Silver's schedule.