Rachel Alexandra was described as "bright and alert with a good appetite" on the evening of March 7 after undergoing a surgical procedure at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, in Lexington, Ky., to drain an abscess discovered that morning.

Veterinarians at Rood & Riddle have been monitoring the 2009 Horse of the Year since she underwent abdominal surgery following foaling complications Feb. 13 after the delivery of her Bernardini filly a day earlier. They continue to view the 7-year-old mare’s recovery as "remarkable" in spite of this setback.

"As part of the continuous evaluation and monitoring that Rachel is receiving at Rood & Riddle, an abscess adjacent to her reproductive tract and rectum was found this morning," said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, in a statement released by Rood & Riddle.

The hospital reported "the abscess was drained successfully via a standing surgical procedure, throughout which Rachel’s vital signs remained normal. She came through the procedure well and was even able to graze this afternoon," the statement said