The world of thoroughbred racing has it's ups and downs. Unfortunately, most of the time though we hear about the "dark side" or bad things that surround the sport we know and love. It's sad the with the world wide web and many media outlets today, the things that put racing in a bad light are the ones that get the most attention. Today, I have one of those "stories" that is the exact opposite! It's about the strength and courage of the equine beast. The thoroughbred who showed great talent on the track, but had to overcome great odds to return back after fighting for his life. This is the "feel good" story that should be more heard of, than the negative ones.
Last spring during the Triple Crown trail, a late blooming three year old arrival on the scene in California . After breaking his maiden first asking in February, he jumped into stakes action in the grade I - Santa Anita Derby . Naturally, it was tough sledding for him going from a sprint victory to a two turn event against seasoned three year old runners. But this did not deter this son of Breeder's Cup Classic winner; Awesome Again. He would regroup and run a good second on a sloppy surface at Churchill Downs and then win a entry level allowance race on the Preakness undercard. This would give him the foundation he was lacking after initially being "thrown to wolves" after his maiden win.
It was now on to the "big time' for this colt after his talented stablemate had to go to the sidelines. It was time for PAYNTER to show his stuff in the "Test of the Champions" in the Belmont Stakes. That he would do and nearly pulled off the victory getting beaten late by Union Rags coming up the rail. I was there to see this race and thought, next time out that he would be very tough to beat! His next start and ultimate goal was the summer time Derbies. He would race in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park . There he would run his career best with a nearly four length victory as the odds-on favorite. It would be on to the Mid-Summer's Derby with this victory, but something happened to derail this dream. Something no one saw coming.
Just a few days after his Haskell victory, Paynter got sick and had suffered colitis. This is a common disease in horses where they have a sudden onset of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, shock, and dehydration. A very serious disease, it can kill a thoroughbred quite quickly. Unfortunately, surgery was required for him and soon another disease cropped up which sometimes goes hand in hand with major surgery. Paynter was showing signs of laminitis also, which comes from unable to move during a traumatic injury or surgery. The blood flow is cut off the horses legs and the hooves. It's also called "founder and is usually fatal. Now, Paynter was fighting for his life!
He had surgery to repair the infected area and the next few days and weeks would be crucial for his survival. But, Paynter was a fighter and he started to show signs of improvement with weight gain. It was a long road ahead, but he was on his way to at least living. His owners were so impressive with how quickly he was recovering, that they decided to start him training again to race. By early spring, Paynter was getting back to his old self on the track and was scheduled to return to the races by early summer. On June 14th at Hollywood Park , the circle was completed with him returning in the starting gate and winning his first race in nearly a year! Paynter had made the return, that so many people thought he could not do. He recently was second in a stake at Del Mar and today comes to Saratoga to run in the Woodward Stakes. We get to see this now, very talented four year old colt who had overcome great odds to become a winner again! It's a special day at the Spa and a special "feel good" story has unfolded. I'll be rooting for Paynter today in the Woodward Stakes and I bet a lot of other people will be rooting too!
No comments:
Post a Comment