California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, could miss Royal Ascot with a bruised foot.
The Art Sherman-trained 4-year-old colt was due to race in the Prince of Wales' Stakes at the prestigious meeting near London on Wednesday.
''He is not ruled out yet, but he has a bruised foot,'' trainer Rae Guest said Monday. ''Unless it is OK in the morning, which is doubtful, he won't go to Ascot.
''He is going to be reassessed in the morning. He has had a vet put a hole in to let any poison there might be out, but if he can't get a shoe on in the morning he won't run.''
California Chrome has been based at Guest's stables in the buildup to Royal Ascot.
''We don't know how he did it,'' Guest said of the injury. ''He was fine yesterday. He had a canter in front of me, Art and Alan (Sherman) and he came in sound, while he was fine last night. This morning when he walked out he was sore.
''It is a shame for everyone involved as he had been working really well, but these things happen in racing.''
