By Dick Downey
Far From Over has been knocked off the Road to the Kentucky Derby, according to a report published at Bloodhorse.com.
Nick Sallusto, racing manager for majority owner Steve Marshall's Black Rock Thoroughbreds, told the publication that Far from Over sustained a non-displaced condylar fracture of the left hind leg sustained on Saturday, March 28 during a four-furlong workout at Palm Beach Downs.
A surgical procedure will be performed at Lexington Equine Surgery in Kentucky.
"He was walking a little short the day after the work," Sallusto told Steve Haskin. "An x-ray revealed a tiny crack, but when we did a new scan, it lit up. You can't believe how good the horse has gotten. It's just a bizarre random event; there's no reason for it. I haven't been more excited about a race in a long time. This won't sink in for a while.
"He's one of the best talents I've ever had the privilege to be around. He was meant to be a better older horse, and that's why we took a conservative approach with him. I believe we have better days ahead of us."
The injury reduces the prospective field for Saturday's Wood Memorial. Only six horses were projected as probable for the race by NYRA officials before Far from Over's injury was disclosed: The other five are Daredevil, El Kabeir, Frosted, Tendencur and Toasting Master.
Co-owner Jim Covello is looking at the bright side, tweeting "Swift Warrior came back from same injury to win multiples graded stakes for us. Hoping for the same from Far From Over."