Report: Charlatan to miss Belmont, Kentucky Derby with ankle injury

It’s been a rough month for Bob Baffert and his thoroughbred horse, Charlatan. The 3-year old colt won the Arkansas Derby in early May only to test positive for lidocaine, which is a banned substance in horse racing. That put Charlatan’s status in doubt for the Triple Crown races, but now we know for sure the horse will miss at least the first two races of the prized series.

Baffert said over the weekend that the colt got a filling his his front ankle and the veterinarian’s found something that will need to be removed, according to reporter Ray Paulick. Baffert said Charlatan will be out 45 days and will miss the Belmont Stakes and the Kentucky Derby. He said a Preakness entry is still a possibility.

The Arkansas Racing Commission is still investigating the positive drug test from early May, and will impose discipline if it gets upheld. It remains to be seen what that means for the Preakness, but either way, Charlatan will not be taking home the complete Triple Crown.

Charlatan was expected to be one of the favorites at Belmont, up there with Tiz The Law. This will boost Tiz The Law’s odds of taking home the first leg of the Triple Crown.