Kip Deville, who has been battling life-threatening laminitis for several months, continues to show significant improvement at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and his connections remain cautiously optimistic.

"He is doing great," said Mike Iavarone, president of IEAH Stables. "Every day has been better and better for him. He is walking around well, eating well, and is full of himself. He is clearly headed in the right direction, but it is important to never get too excited."

Kip Deville, who won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile and was second in the 2008 BC Mile, scored his last victory in the 2009 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. He developed laminitis following colic.

• Read more: Thoroughbred Champion Kip Deville Battling Laminitis

(Originally published at BloodHorse.com