(Afleet Alex) likes doing things and he likes people. So, he had to enjoy this. His ears were up for almost the whole time. It was something different for him to do and I'm glad we were able to fit it into our program. Saratoga asked us if we would do it, and we were more than glad to -- anything to help support the sport that is my livelihood. |
(Cordero's) been bugging me for a year, ... He always wants to get on him, always wants to get on him. I think it was a little something extra for the fans. |
[As for long-range plans, Ritchey said he will let the horse dictate the timing and which races to plan for.] Once he has some long gallops and a couple of breezes, I'll know a lot more, ... It would be an extremely hard task to get to the Breeders' Cup. The only way is if everything goes perfectly and I can find the right prep for him. But I've told the owners, let's just get him back and find a spot. There is always the Cigar Mile (gr. I) at the end of November, then we'll have a lot of races to choose from next year. It should be a fun experience. |
[Ritchey said Dr. Michael Galvin and his assistant took the digital X-rays, which he sent to Bramlage and Dr. Patricia Hogan, who performed to surgery.] I spoke to Dr. Bramlage about 4:30 (Thursday afternoon), and he got back to me, and we worked out the training regimen, ... I just have to monitor his reaction to the jogging and check his joints to make sure he doesn't get any filling. I also spoke to Dr. Hogan and she hadn't received the X-rays I e-mailed last night, but she probably has looked at them by now and will contact Dr. Bramlage. |
A natural. Great athlete, great balance. |
After about two weeks, we'll take X-rays again, and he should get the OK to start to gallop. It's not totally healed, but Dr. Bramlage was very pleased with the amount of healing that's taken place the last two weeks. I'd say it's probably 99% healed, and with the little bit of added jogging to his regimen of rehab, that will stimulate the remaining amount of healing. It's a fine line; you don't want to gallop, because that would retard the healing. But the jogging will stimulate that bone a little more, and that should heal it up the remainder of the way. |
After the breeze, we'll see how it goes. |
Although perhaps a disappointment for racing, it is only a temporary one. The prognosis remains excellent for a return to Alex's elite level of competition. |
An amazing story. I'm proud to be part of it. |
Angel has been bugging me for a year. He has always wanted to get on him. When they asked me to do this, and the X-rays were fine and everything was OK to go on the tack again, I called him up and said I've got something for you on Saturday. He was more than glad to do it. I think that it was something a little extra for the fans. |
As far as I know they'd only sell him for breeding, and even that would not be a 100% sale. |
As soon as we get the results of the X-rays, we can develop a plan for getting him on the track. He has continued to walk three or four times a day and seems to be fine. |
At this point, he's only going out once a morning anyhow because the race is coming up. |
Congratulations Barclay. You've got yourself the real thing there. |
Dan Rooney sent a Terrible Towel. |