GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) was pulled up during a routine morning work Saturday at Santa Anita. He was vanned off after being helped into the ambulance. The GI Haskell S. winner was breezing into the stretch under veteran jockey Mike Smith when the incident occurred.
An update from the Breeders' Cup read: “Geaux Rocket Ride sustained an open condylar fracture with intersesmoidian ligament damage to his right front leg during a workout this morning under Mike Smith, who was uninjured, dismounted, and tended to the horse. Geaux Rocket Ride was taken via equine ambulance to the Southern California Equine Foundation (SCEF) equine hospital at Santa Anita Park and has since been transferred to his barn to undergo additional evaluation and diagnostics to determine the appropriate course of action. Our thoughts, along with those of the entire racing community, are with trainer Richard Mandella, the Pin Oak Stud LLC team, and all those who care for him during this difficult time.
Mandella said Geaux Rocket Ride has condylar fracture that broke through skin. While no sesamoid fracture, ligaments are stretched. Plan is for arthrodesis Sunday. “It's going to be a delicate situation, it's going to be lucky to make it, but we're going to do everything we can.”
— David Grening (@DRFGrening) October 28, 2023
Leading up to the World Championships, the Breeders' Cup has been working closely with Santa Anita Park, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), and our veterinary team to ensure every Breeders' Cup runner is fit to race. The Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team also coordinated with regulatory and track veterinarians across the country to thoroughly review the veterinary records associated with all potential Breeders' Cup runners starting in early October. This expanded veterinary review protocol is designed to ensure, to the extent possible, every horse that made the trip to Santa Anita Park for the World Championships was sound to race and train. We have faith in these processes, which include expanded veterinary exam protocols, increased testing, 24-hour equine surveillance starting Tuesday, Oct. 31 for domestic runners and Sunday, Oct. 29 for international runners, and enhanced reporting requirements.
Safety always comes first, which is why Breeders' Cup and industry leaders like the CHRB and 1/ST Racing have been longtime advocates for the uniform safety and integrity reforms that eventually became part of HISA. We are constantly evaluating and updating our safety and screening measures so we can continue to provide the safest possible racing environment.”
Veterinarian Will Farmer issued an update about the condition of GEAUX ROCKET RIDE. pic.twitter.com/TkUs5tSkA7
— TVG (@TVG) October 28, 2023
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