Lexi Lou's Return Delayed Due to Eye Injury
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The return of 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou has been delayed due to an eye injury that led trainer Mark Casse to scratch the filly from the Aug. 26 first race at Woodbine.
On the sidelines since a solid second-place effort in La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park in January, Lexie Lou had been entered in a 1 1/16-mile turf event for older fillies and mares.
"She was training well leading up to it," Casse said Aug. 24. "Last week she scratched her eye, but we treated it and it got better. Now it's swollen shut. But, we have an expert from the University of Guelph taking care of her. I don't think it's anything serious. She'll be fine."
The Sligo Bay filly owned by Gary Barber won four of eight starts last year, including the Woodbine Oaks and Queen's Plate on the Polytrack, and the Wonder Where Stakes on Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
Casse believes Lexie Lou hurt the eye in a freak accident.
"I'm guessing she just brushed against some straw and that's how it happened," he said. "She'll live to fight another day. We just want to make sure that she's OK. And, we wanted people to know what happened."
Canada's champion 3-year-old filly and grass mare last year, Lexie Lou had breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, fastest of the day Aug. 13, in preparation for her return.
"We'll find out more in a day or so," Casse said. "Obviously, it's disappointing for everyone. Our focus is on getting her better. She's a wonderful horse, one you are so proud to be associated with."