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I Want Revenge Likely Out Until 2010 - 05-07-09
May 7 - Going into this year's Kentucky Derby, top-rated runner I Want Revenge was the heavily backed race favorite, but unfortunately just hours before the big race, his trainer Jeff Mullins and breeder and co-owner David Lanzman were forced to take the tough decision to scratch him on account of a swollen ankle.
And a good thing they did too, after the swollen ankle turned out to be ligament damage, an injury neither Mullins nor Lanzman could have foreseen. As a result, I Want Revenge will likely be out of racing until 2010. However, depending on how fast he heals, he could be fit for the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November.
Said Lanzman, 'Right now it all depends on how he responds. The best case scenario - which we know never happens - is to have him recovered by the Breeders' Cup.' An MRI conducted on I Want Revenge Monday at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, confirmed the ligament damage.
Said Dr. Larry Bramlage, who is treating the colt, 'The swelling below I Want Revenge's right front fetlock joint progressed from Saturday morning through the weekend. I have no doubt that his injury would have been much more severe if it was not for the decision to scratch him from the Kentucky Derby.'
An ultrasound conducted on the thoroughbred earlier this week revealed changes in his middle distal sesamoidean ligaments, which are the ligaments located below and behind the fetlock joint that are crucial for supporting the fetlock during high-speed runs. This confirmed that his connections made the right choice.
This has vindicated both Mullins and Lanzman, after rumors started surfacing that they had scratched the colt from Kentucky Derby for more sinister reasons other than injury. 'When you start reading that he was scratched because he couldn't pass a drug test... it's upsetting, because it's just not true,' said Lanzman.
'I know one thing - we absolutely did the right thing by the horse.' While there was risk that the injury could have ended I Want Revenge's career, he is expected to make a full recovery and will hopefully regain the form that has made him such an impressive opponent in his career so far.
Other Articles:
Elusive Wave Wins Poule d'Essai des Pouliches - 05-11-09Barclay Tagg Retires Tale of Ekati - 05-10-09Jumps Racing Banned in Victoria After Deaths - 05-09-09Rachel Alexandra Could Run in Preakness Stakes - 05-08-09Ambiance Stud Farm to Close after 16 Years - 05-06-09Empires Choice Aimed at 2009 Melbourne Cup - 05-05-09Mine That Bird Unconfirmed for Preakness - 05-04-09Mine That Bird Causes Upset in Kentucky Derby - 05-03-09
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:14 AM |
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