Surgery for Epicenter Goes Well, Deemed 'Uncomplicated'

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter , who was pulled up with a right leg injury in the Nov. 5 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland, underwent "straightforward, uncomplicated" surgery Nov. 6 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, according to Winchell Thoroughbreds racing manager David Fiske.

"No surprises," Fiske said of the Sunday morning surgery to repair a lateral condylar fracture. "He is out of recovery and walking around. So far, so good."

The Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) winner was pulled up on the backstretch by Joel Rosario in a Classic won by Flightline . Epicenter came to a stop approaching the far turn and was loaded onto a horse ambulance and eventually transported to Rood & Riddle.

Trainer Steve Asmussen conveyed his gratitude for those involved with the incident.

"Ron Winchell, David Fiske, and myself want to expressly thank Joel Rosario for getting him pulled up, the on-site veterinarians, Dr. Nick Smith, who treated Epicenter on the track, and Dr. Stuart Brown, who coordinated Epicenter's transportation from the racetrack, with a police escort, directly to Rood and Riddle, Keeneland, and my assistants Scott Blasi and Sarah Campion, who stayed with Epicenter," Asmussen said.

"Enough cannot be said how thankful we are for everybody's urgency to ensure Epicenter's well-being and everything that was put in place to make the diagnosis for the on-site care, the transportation, Dr. Bramlage meeting him at the clinic, and then the care he has received at Rood and Riddle by the entire staff."

A condylar fracture is an injury to the cannon bone above the fetlock, typically from large loads transmitted during high-speed exercise. Repair regularly involves the insertion of surgical lag screws.

Asked if Epicenter's racing career had ended and if he was headed to stud in 2023, Fiske said, "I think it's a little early for that. I think the plan for him is 30 days' stall rest, 30 days' hand walking, re-X-rayed. In a perfect world, we might wait until then to make a decision, but given the time frame we're working with, we might make that decision sooner."

Breeders often begin booking stallions for mares in the fall before the breeding season begins in February.

A son of Not This Time  , Epicenter is considered one of the leading candidates for champion 3-year-old male honors. Twice classic-placed, he is a winner of six of 11 starts and more than $2.9 million.

Brown: Domestic Spending Stable Following Pelvic Injury in BC Mile

Domestic Spending  continues to improve after suffering a pelvic fracture in the Nov. 5 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T) at Keeneland, according to trainer Chad Brown.

"He is more comfortable today and remains stable," Brown posted in an update on Twitter. "He does have a pelvic fracture, likely originating when he broke from the gate and worsening as the race continued, according to my veterinary team. He is receiving excellent care around the clock."

The 5-year-old son of Kingman 's start at the 2022 World Championships was his first since last year, when he finished second in the Aug. 14 Mr. D Stakes (G1) at Arlington International Racecourse.

Owned by Klaravich Stables, the gelding is a multiple grade 1 winner and earner of $1,432,100 from a record of 6-1-1 from nine starts. This year marked his first effort on the world stage. He was scratched from the 2021 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) due to a soft-tissue injury.