Lady Eli Showing Improvement From Laminitis

Trainer Chad Brown reported July 30 that Lady Eli, the undefeated 3-year-old filly campaigned by Sheep Pond Partners, continues to make significant strides in her recovery from laminitis.

"She is doing really well considering what she's gone through. She's doing as well as she possibly could be at this point," said Brown, who conditioned Lady Eli to an impressive victory in the July 4 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park. Walking back to Brown's stable from the test barn following that race, Lady Eli stepped on a nail, and subsequently began showing laminitic changes in both front feet.

The filly is stabled at Brown's Belmont barn, where care is being provided by podiatrists Dr. Bryan Fraley of Fraley Equine Podiatry, based at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; and Dr. Robert Agne of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.

"She has excellent hoof growth and is moving comfortably," said Brown. "She gets out to graze for 30 minutes daily in my courtyard, and she's really enjoying that. This can often be a long process, but we couldn't be more pleased with her progress."

It is too early to speculate about any return to racing for the brilliant filly, who is six-for-six in her career. Her five stakes victories include last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT).

"We're just taking it week to week," said Brown. "We have a weekly list of goals for her to achieve and she has achieved them each week. She has the heart and determination of a champion, which we have seen in her races, and now we are seeing it again as she deals with this. She is a remarkable horse. She has a strong personality and attitude in that whatever she undertakes, she wins. And she is winning once again."

Lady Eli (Divine Park—Sacre Coeur, by Saint Ballado) was bred in Kentucky by Catesby Clay and his Runnymeade Farm.