NEWS
Gilchrist optimistic about Indyanne’s future
Posted: Saturday, December 27, 2008 10:20 PM
INDYANNE
Shigeki Kikkawa photo
by Mike Curry and Steve Schuelein
Trainer Greg Gilchrist said Saturday night that he was optimistic multiple graded stakes winner Indyanne will recover after fracturing a sesamoid in her left foreleg in the La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
Jockey Russell Baze pulled up the three-year-old Indian Charlie filly in the stretch after she took a bad step.
“It looks like she is going to be saved,” said Gilchrist, who trains Indyanne for owner John G. Sikura. “The filly fractured the inside sesamoid in her left front leg. The good part is the outside sesamoid is perfect and she tore very few ligaments. We’ve got her in a cast and she is comfortable.”
Indyanne was stabilized with a splint on the track by Santa Anita veterinarian Jill Bailey, D.V.M., and transported to Gilchrist’s barn for further evaluation. She was given a tranquilizer and will undergo surgery in the next three days, Gilchrist said.
Indyanne’s racing career is over, but Gilchrist estimated that Indyanne had a 65% chance to go on to a second career as a broodmare. He also expressed his gratitude to Baze for quickly pulling up Indyanne when he knew something went wrong.
“This could have been a lot worse,” Gilchrist said. “Russell did a hell of a job getting her pulled up. That was the difference-maker—Russell getting her stopped before she could do more damage. I have a lot of confidence everything will be fine with her.”
For a recap of the La Brea stakes, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
Steve Schuelein is a California-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
