Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) victress Countess Diana recently underwent successful surgery to have a bone chip removed from her left knee. The leading contender for an Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly, Countess Diana will have to wait until the spring to make her 3-year-old debut due to the surgery. The bone chip was discovered by trainer Patrick Byrne when both Countess Diana and stablemate Favorite Trick underwent routine examinations upon arriving in Ocala, Fla., for a rest. “It wasn’t a very big deal, just a little spur that popped off,” Byrne told the Daily Racing Form. “When and where she did it, I have no idea.”

The plan is still to get Countess Diana to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) in May. Byrne estimated that the filly would probably go back under tack in four weeks.

Byrne added that Favorite Trick, who is a virtual certainty for champion juvenile male honors and is a contender for Horse of the Year, passed his exam with no problems