Do you expect Afleet Alex to race again

[FOS]

hi guys.

Unfortunate...Afleet Alex's hairline condylar fracture. It was reported (at Brisnet.com 7/28/2005) that "The colt underwent surgery where a single screw was placed across the fracture at the bottom of the cannon bone."

The good news is that apparently the surgery went well...and AA will reportedly be sidelined for the summer. Trainer Tim Ritchey was quoted as saying "I look forward to Alex's return to the races"

Do you expect he will he return to the races...or do you expect that his next stop will be the breeding shed?

Respectfully

[austique]

I'm just not sure at this point. The injury is one that horses typically do well with upon a return to racing, but we're talking about a horse who was a superstar prior to the injury. Do you take the risk he won't be as good when he gets back or do you call it quits and take the syndication money right now? If he were mine (which he isn't), I would probably lean toward bringing him back. The handicap division isn't all that tough with the exception of Saint Liam and I think at 75% he's still probably the best handicap horse in the country even as a 3yo.

[monicabee]

At what point do his owners have to commit to the breeding shed in order to ensure him a healthy book of mares?

[louis finochio]

AA will be watched closely when he goes back to the track as he is too valuable to risk to race if he is the least bit off.

I had a stress fracture on my right leg in the thigh area and it took me 8 weeks to heal, and I'm a senior, so AA should have no problem.

[Shergar]

Breeding Shed!

[Pete]

Hi FOS,

It's easy to be optimistic at this time of year (long before the breeding season), it makes fans hopeful, but it's going to be hard to complete the equation.

I don't doubt that they would like to race him again, but if he's not 100%, they'll make the decision to retire him - probably in September around the time of the Keeneland Yearling sale, (Hey! I just found some old books including the complete 1958 Breeder's Sales Catalog from Keeneland - 2 hard bound volumes. Very few of them did anything except hip #17, sold for $6,700, who would be named Gay Hostess ).

I don't expect him to race again. He'd need to be back in training in 6 weeks (mid September) to have a chance to make the BC (if that) and he'd be without a prep.

Were he to win the BC, he'll make himself a legend.

Regards,

Pete

[Spain]

I don't know if we'll see him again, I certainly hope we do, but I have my doubts.

It seems though they expect him to be back by the beginning of September. They said he'd stall rest a week and then walk 3.

I don't understand how putting a screw into bone can take less time to heal then taking a bone chip out.

[mary syers]

Bone chip surgery is inside the joint capsule. Causes swelling of joint and pressure on soft tissue. AA's fracture is outside the joint, should cause no changes inside the joint. Bone chip causes damage to cartiledge(sp?) which will neeed to repair before the horse can return to form. Condular radial fracture(like AA's) can have joint involvement, but if it doesn't it's much easier to repair, no cartiledge changes. The real problem may be in soft tissue changes not in bone. Mary Syers

[WarHorse]

Thank you Mary, I was waiting for your voice on this.

[ZiaLand]

It's easy to be optimistic at this time of year (long before the breeding season), it makes fans hopeful, but it's going to be hard to complete the equation.

I don't doubt that they would like to race him again, but if he's not 100%, they'll make the decision to retire him - probably in September around the time of the Keeneland Yearling sale...

I don't expect him to race again. He'd need to be back in training in 6 weeks (mid September) to have a chance to make the BC (if that) and he'd be without a prep.

Pete's thoughts pretty much sum up my thoughts, except I just have this gut feeling that Alex will race again.

Were he to win the BC, he'll make himself a legend.

He does seem to be that kind of horse, in looking at his miraculous Preakness win and his amazing Belmont victory. As I said in another thread, Afleet Alex may just have a few surprises left in him yet.

I certainly hope so.

Laurie

[AfleetAlex#1fan]

I think he will return because the owners already said hes returning in septemper to run in a breeders cup.....!!!
Afleet Alex`s true and only #1 fan

[Pete]

Hi AA#1Fan,

I hope that you're right - that Alex will run again, but for the safety of the horse and rider (and other horses and riders), I hope that they will only do so if he's at the top of his game.

It's not a serious injury for a horse, but the severity increases with the task demanded of Alex. We don't know the relation of the fracture to genetics, bone density or even disease, and to put Alex through one of the most demanding tests in all racing without him being 100% would be wrong for the horse and ultimately his fans.

I for one would rather see him retire to a wonderful life at a top stud farm that to see him perform poorly or worse to see him get injured.

Regards,

Pete

[horsenuts]

hi guys.

Unfortunate...Afleet Alex's hairline condylar fracture. It was reported (at Brisnet.com 7/28/2005) that "The colt underwent surgery where a single screw was placed across the fracture at the bottom of the cannon bone."

The good news is that apparently the surgery went well...and AA will reportedly be sidelined for the summer. Trainer Tim Ritchey was quoted as saying "I look forward to Alex's return to the races"

Do you expect he will he return to the races...or do you expect that his next stop will be the breeding shed?

Respectfully

No.

[onalimb]

My guess breeding shed...... He would have to be 100% and win..... money wise he would make more in the shed.. when it comes down to it its to hard to say if he will get hurt again or worse they probley won't chance it...

[Heidilady]

oops sorry, double post...