Chelokee, who suffered a dislocated right front ankle during the running of the May 2 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, has “at least a 50-50 chance” of survival, according to prominent equine surgeon Larry Bramlage. The dark bay or brown colt suffered torn ligaments, but no bones were broken.


“He dislocated the sesamoids about five centimeters, a little more than two inches, up the side of the leg, and that’s what the ambulance crew thought initially was a condylar fracture,” said Bramalage the morning after the race. “It has the same effect (as a condylar fracture). His ankle is unstable, and it will require surgery. It’s a career-ending injury, but, hopefully, with a little luck, he’ll be able to be a stallion.”


A 4-year-old son of Cherokee Run, Chelokee is owned by Centennial Farms and is trained by Michael Matz, who also conditioned Barbaro, the colt that broke down in the 2006 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) after capturing the Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I). Chelokee was ridden in the Alysheba by Ramon Dominguez.



Chelokee won the Barbaro Stakes

Chelokee won the Barbaro Stakes in 2007.
Photo: Anne M

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