Chelokee, who dislocated his right front ankle during the Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 2 at Churchill Downs continues to improve at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, according to Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS.

“Everything is going as well as hoped for,” Bramlage said. “He continues to do well.”

The colt’s chances of survival remain at 60-40.

As previously reported, Bramlage fused Chelokee’s damaged ankle in a procedure known as a fetlock arthrodesis. The colt tore all the ligaments located in the back of the fetlock that were connected to the pastern joint. During the surgical procedure, the main ligament to the pastern joint was replaced with a polyethylene cord. The cord will help support the ankle until it has fused.

The cast placed on Chelokee after the surgery is due to be replaced in about two weeks, around May 26, Bramlage said, noting the colt’s prognosis will be reassessed after that procedure.

A son of Cherokee Run out of the Silver Ghost mare Dixie Cherokee, Chelokee, is owned by Centennial Farms and trained by Michael Matz. He captured the Northern Dancer Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Barbaro Stakes at Pimlico last year.

(Originally published at BloodHorse.com.)