by Jeff Lowe and Ed DeRosa

Grade 3 winner Chelokee was in stable condition on Saturday morning at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington after sustaining a career-ending injury to his right front ankle on Friday in the Alysheba Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Larry Bramlage, D.V.M., chief of surgery at Rood and Riddle, said the four-year-old Cherokee Run colt would undergo surgery next week to stabilize the injury.

The injury was initially diagnosed as a condylar fracture, but Bramlage said Chelokee actually dislocated sesamoids about five centimeters up the side of the leg.

"It's the same effect, his ankle is unstable, it requires surgery, [and] it's a career-ending injury but hopefully with a little luck he'll be able to be a stallion," Bramlage said. "We changed his cast this morning. He's doing great. His soft tissue swelling is down and his blood supply is better."

Michael Matz trained Chelokee for Centennial Farms. Matz trained 2006 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Barbaro, who broke down in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and later died due to complications from that injury. Chelokee won the 2007 Barbaro Stakes at Pimlico Race Course a year later and also registered a victory in the Northern Dancer Stakes (G3) at Churchill.

Chelokee did not race during the second half of 2007 because of soreness in all four fetlocks. He returned with a victory in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park on March 29.

In the Alysheba, Chelokee was ridden by Ramon Dominguez, who is scheduled to ride Monba in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Dominguez walked off and escaped serious injury.

“He was traveling absolutely perfect. I had the best horse in the race," Dominguez said. "I was just trying to pick my spot and as soon as he got to the top of the lane, he switched to his right lead and broke down. There was absolutely no contact.”

Jeff Lowe is a staff writer for Thoroughbred Times

Ed DeRosa is news editor of Thoroughbred Times