I have not bee keeping up with this career. I wonder how he is doing. Do you know when the Breeder's Cup is?
His last race was the Belmost Stakes. He had a hairline fracture of his cannon bone of a front leg during a workout. It is healing fine, but not fast enough to run in a race like the Breeder's Cup, so they are saving him for next year. I think the Breeder's Cup is the 22nd. It's either that week or the next one.
http://www.afleetalex.com/news.html
Afleet Alex update
It has been 10 weeks since AFLEET ALEX had undergone surgical repair of a hairline condylar fracture of the LF ankle. This was a very unique situation because the fracture was caught in the very early stages. A single stainless steel screw was inserted across the fracture to provide compression for healing purposes and to ensure the prevention of any further propagation of the fracture line.
Throughout the entire convalescent period, the goal for all involved in the care of ALEX has been to provide a delicate balance of time, physical therapy, and a graduated exercise program that would serve to stimulate bone healing for the fracture and yet avoid the secondary problems associated with inactivity on the rest of his musculoskeletal system. ALEX 's progress has been carefully monitored by frequent veterinary examinations and complete radiographic evaluations at 2-week intervals. At every step of the way, ALEX has shown remarkable progress and has never experienced a single set-back. In fact, we have all been quite impressed with how well the healing has progressed - both clinically and radiographically.
Recently, ALEX was cleared for speed work and responded with 2 very impressive breezes. This was a test to see if there was a possiblity of returning to racing within the scope of the Breeder's Cup races. All involved with ALEX agreed that if that was to be a possibility, then the healing process was to have been completed 100% for this to be considered. After the recent works, ALEX was radiographed again and although it is very subtle, it is evident that the bone is still in the end stages of the healing process. We are 99% there but for this horse we require 100%.
The horse is doing very well clinically and has progressed remarkably well. He will remain in training. We feel it is in ALEX's best interests to miss the Breeder's Cup races. Unfortunately, the timing is just a little too close to demand the enormous athletic effort that would be required to race at that elite level of competition. Although perhaps a disappointment for racing, it is only a temporary one. The prognosis remains excellent for a return to ALEX's elite level of competition.
Tim Ritchey
Patricia M. Hogan, VMD,ACVS
New Jersey Equine Clinic
Clarksburg, NJ