Centennial Farms’ Chelokee, injured during the May 2 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, sustained a dislocated ankle and not a fracture, according to trainer Michael Matz.


“It was just a dislocated ankle that was put back in order,” Matz said May 3, on the morning of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Matz will saddle Visionaire in the Derby. “The skin was not broken which is a good thing, and there was heat below the articulation, which means there is blood flow. The ankle will probably have to be fused. He had a good night. He ate and laid down and got up several times.”


Initially, it was believed that Chelokee had suffered a condylar fracture similar to that sustained by Matz-trained Barbaro in the 2006 Preakness Stakes (gr. I). Barbaro eventually was euthanized due to the effects of laminitis.


Matz said Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, would examine the 4-year-old Cherokee Run colt Saturday to determine the exact extent of the injury

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.