Flashback is latest Derby Trail casualty

After a second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, Bob Baffert notified race fans that Flashback will not pursue a Kentucky Derby start. After sensing heat in the colt's knee, he was sent for x-rays. Those tests revealed a small chip in his right knee. Flashback was tied for sixth place in Derby qualification standings with 70 points.

"He's got a chip. It's small. It's fresh. When you take it out right away they can make a full recovery." - Bob Baffert, trainer

The son of Tapit was, perhaps, Baffert's most impressive Derby prospect. He has two second-place finished in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby and Grade II San Felipe Stakes, as well as a win in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February. Flashback will visit Dr. Larry Bramlage in Kentucky to have his surgery.

Flashback will have surgery in Ky with Dr. Larry Bramlage. Chip is small, Baffert said. Full recovery expected. #kyderby

— Jay Privman (@DRFPrivman) April 8, 2013

This is an important loss for at least one reason, that we at ATDSTC have identified. It takes out a strong candidate for the Derby pace setter. Flashback, while not exclusively running for the lead throughout his career, has shown to have some fast early speed. The absence of yet another early speed horse looks to set up a slower-paced Run for the Roses.

Baffert's Derby chances now lie in the hands of Govenor Charlie, winner of the Grade III Sunland Derby last month; and Super Ninety Nine, winner of the Grade III Southwest Stakes in February. Govenor Charlie in ninth in the Derby qualification standings with 50 points and Super Ninety Nine is fifteenth with 30 points.