Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

TRIPLE CROWN hopeful LADY T suffered a serious setback in her preparations for Saturday's Digicel Derby at Caymanas Park and has been scratched from the $4.25 million race.

According to trainer Dwight Chen, the 3-y-o filly, who won the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas and the Oaks last month, chipped a bone in her left knee after her last gallop at exercise on Sunday morning.

"When the vet checked her after her work on Sunday, she was OK," said the trainer. "However, on Monday it was discovered that her left knee had swollen and when checked by the vet, we had to withdraw her from the race. Right now we are awaiting the X-ray to determine how serious is the injury.

"A lot of horses have been chipping at the track," said Chen. "Soft spots and hard spots on the track have been jarring horses and this needs to be addressed," he said.

Prior to the setback, LADY T had pleased her trainer at exercise on Sunday morning, galloping seven furlongs in 1:31.4, the last six in 1:16.2.

As a result of her withdrawl, the Derby field was reduced to 10 at the overnight stage yesterday.

The horses and riders declared, in order of post positions, are: RUM TALK (Trevor Simpson), IL CAIMANO (Ameth Robles), THE BOMBER (Winston Griffiths), MUCHO GUSTO (Paul Francis), MR. PRIDE (Andron Findlay), IVAN THE TERRIBLE (Emilio Rodriquez), MY TRAIN (Rayan Wilson), GRACE MARIE (Devon A. Thomas), NATURALLY ROYAL (Richard Mitchell) and CHIPONYOURSHOULDER (Shane Ellis).