Lord Nelson Shows Progress in Battle With Laminitis

Spendthrift Farm's multiple grade 1 winner Lord Nelson   is making progress in his battle with laminitis in both front feet, which caused the son of Pulpit to miss the 2017 breeding season.

Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey said July 11 Lord Nelson is showing some positive hoof growth, particularly on his left foot. While Toffey cautions a long road is still ahead for the colt—an Eclipse Award finalist for champion male sprinter in 2016—improvement has been notable the last several weeks.

"You are never out of the woods with these things and the challenge is, there is always another corner. And it could always turn back around and go the other way," Toffey said. "But lately it's been really good. The one foot is already halfway grown down and is well on its way to being where we want it. The other one is just slower. It's coming along, but it's taking a long time."

Lord Nelson developed laminitis after a cut in his right foreleg became infected, causing him to be scratched from the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in November. Prior to that setback, the 5-year-old former Bob Baffert trainee was slated to stand his initial season at stud following a 2016 campaign that saw him go unbeaten in four starts including victories in the Triple Bend Stakes (G1), Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), and Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1).