Shadwell Stables' 'TDN Rising Star' Shagaf (Bernardini), the GIII Gotham S. winner who was eased home last in the May 7 GI Kentucky Derby, underwent surgery earlier in the week to remove chips from his left knee and ankle and will miss at least several months, Shadwell's Vice President and General Manager Rick Nichols confirmed Saturday.
A homebred son of Muhaawara (Unbridled's Song), the strapping bay graduated by six lengths at first asking and added a Gulfstream allowance success before outlasting GI Preakness S. hopeful Laoban (Uncle Mo) by 1 1/4 lengths to remain unbeaten in the Mar. 5 Gotham. A puzzling fourth to Outwork (Uncle Mo) as the favorite in the GI Wood Memorial S. Apr. 9, Shagaf raced reasonably close to the fast early pace in the Derby, but began to tail off with a half-mile to race and was effectively pulled up by Joel Rosario.
Nichols indicated that the colt would require three months off, but that if everything went well, he could resurface at the tail end of the year.
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