Horse Racing : Derby Contender Script Ohio Out at Least 6 Weeks

Script Ohio, a leading contender for this year’s Kentucky Derby, incurred a small bone chip in his right knee while racing at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., Monday and will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks, trainer John Veitch said Thursday.

The 3-year-old colt, making his first 1985 appearance, won by 1 1/2 lengths for his third win in five starts. He is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday.

“It’s a small chip, not even as big as a match head,” Veitch said. “It didn’t cause him to go limp or lame, but a couple of days after the race the irritation showed, and a fever developed. It’s unfortunate, because his race on Monday was perfect.”

Veitch didn’t say that Script Ohio was definitely out of the Derby, which will be run May 4 at Churchill Downs, but losing at least six weeks at this point is likely to prevent the colt from making the starting field. Script Ohio’s next race was to have been the Everglades Stakes at Hialeah March 16.

Script Ohio won two of four starts last year, including the Young America Stakes at the Meadowlands. Twice, however, he ran far behind Chief’s Crown, the last time in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes at Hollywood Park in November. Chief’s Crown is considered the early favorite in the Derby.

Irish O’Brien closed with a rush in the final furlong to run down the favored Tangent Thursday and win the $45,250 B. Thoughtful Stakes by two lengths at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Joe Steiner, Irish O’Brien ran the race of about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf course in 1:14 4/5. It was her 11th victory in 57 starts and boosted her earnings to $373,775.

Irish O’Brien paid $8.20, $3.60 and $3.20. Tangent, the 7-5 favorite, returned $2.80 and $2.60, and Natural Summit paid $4.60 to show.