Little Mike Returns After Extensive Care

Editor's Note: In a previous edition of this story, it was reported that Little Mike was aiming for a race July 9 at Gulfstream Park. The race has been moved to July 10.

With an ongoing horse neglect case involving trainer Maria Borell and her father grabbing headlines, owner/trainer Carlo Vaccarezza hopes the return of his turf star Little Mike to racing after a two-year hiatus sends a different message—that most racehorse owners care.

"With all the controversy about the way Maria Borell treated her horses and the neglect, here is a story that is completely the opposite," said Vaccarezza. "Here is a horse that anybody would have said, forget about it. It is good for the sport for him to come back, and I hope it works." 

Vaccarezza, a South Florida businessman-turned-trainer, is aiming his multiple grade I winner for a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race July 10 on the Gulfstream Park grass. If the race fills, Little Mike will be making his first start since May 17, 2014, when he won the Flying Pidgeon Stakes. Elvis Trujillo, who was aboard for Little Mike's last triumph, has the return mount.

Despite winning the the Flying Pidgeon by 2 3/4-lengths, Vaccarezza said the multi-millionaire gelding by Spanish Steps—Hay Jude, by Wavering Monarch, just wasn't himself afterward.

"Really, he needed some time," Vaccarezza said. "He had some tendonitis, some wear and tear on his suspensory, but nothing that required surgery. The trip to Dubai wasn't bad, but I think the trip to Hong Kong really took it out of him." 

After a strong 2012 season that saw Little Mike in the winner's circle of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, Arlington Million Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup Turf (all gr. IT), he followed up the next year with bigger international grade I schedule that included the Dubai Duty Free Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free at Meydan, the Arlington Million, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park, Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park, and the Longines Hong Kong Cup. His only win came in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.

During his nearly 26-month layoff, Vaccarezza had Little Mike evaluated a couple times by renowned surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, and he sent him to WinStar Farm in Central Kentucky for hyperbaric treatments, then to Ocala Stud where he went through a swimming regimen.

"I know I overdid it, whatever needed to be done," Vaccarezza said. "The acupuncture, the vibrating floor, the swimming—I did it all. We didn't spare any expenses because the horse deserved it. If he had another owner, he might have started a couple of times already, but I took my sweet time."

Since returning to Palm Meadows Training Center in December, Little Mike appears to be refreshed and his training progressing, according to Vaccarezza, though he knows that doesn't necessarily translate to success in the afternoons.

"I don't want to jinx him, but if it doesn't work out, then he'll have a great retirement somewhere, whether it is Old Friends, or the Kentucky Horse Park, or with Richard Migliore and the TRF in New York," Vaccarezza said. "For now, we are focusing on keeping him healthy, and I hope he makes a good showing."