Kentucky Derby also-ran Desert Party will have surgery for a bone chip in his left front ankle and is sidelined indefinitely.

The 3-year-old colt, owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin, finished 14th behind Mine That Bird in the May 2 Derby at Churchill Downs.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said he doesn’t expect the injury to be career threatening. The chip was discovered during a series of X rays taken after the Derby.

Crisford said he’s hopeful Desert Party can return to the track during the second half of the year and continue to run in 2010 as a 4-year-old