by Jeff Lowe

Autism Awareness, the $1,000 yearling purchase who scored in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at odds of 62-to-1, will spend the next few months on the shelf following the detection of a knee injury. 

Trainer Genaro Vallejo said the colt would probably undergo surgery on Friday to remove a chip from his left knee. The injury was discovered on Tuesday morning, three days after the California-bred colt’s victory in the El Camino Real Derby at Bay Meadows Race Course.

Autism Awareness was the longest price in the race, which followed a maiden victory in his 13th career start on January 21 at Golden Gate Fields.

Owner Johnny Taboada named Autism Awareness in an effort to raise public attention to the condition that afflicts his eight-year-old son, Renzo.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer