First Samurai, Laity sidelined

Last updated: 4/28/06 8:15 PM

First Samurai has been sidelined with cracked ribs
(Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

Multiple Grade 1 winner FIRST SAMURAI (Giant’s Causeway) was diagnosed with
cracked ribs and will be sidelined for an indefinite amount of time. The injury
is not career threatening, but will require rest over the next few weeks to
allow the ribs to mend. The injury was discovered during an ultrasound
examination on Wednesday at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Equine Clinic near Lexington,
Kentucky.

Trainer Frank Brothers decided to take First Samurai to the clinic after the
colt appeared to be in some discomfort when he came off the track following a
routine gallop, and later displayed what Brothers described as “tightness” in
the colt’s rib area while he was standing in his stall.

Dr. Robert Hunt examined the colt and made the diagnosis. Brothers said both
he and Hunt believe the injury could help explain First Samurai’s disappointing
fifth-place effort in the Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland on April 15. The colt
finished more than 30 lengths behind the victorious Sinister Minister (Old
Trieste) in the nine-furlong race.

“According to Dr. Hunt, it had to have happened in the starting gate or
leaving the gate in the Blue Grass,” Brothers said. “Nothing happened to him at
the barn.”

Brothers said that First Samurai had displayed no outward sign of any problem
until this week.

“He seemed fine out of the race, but sometimes it takes a while for those
things to kind of separate,” Brothers said. “In about a month, he’ll be re-scanned
and thereabouts it should be healed up. We’re looking forward to a late summer
or fall campaign with him.”

Brothers said First Samurai’s performance in the Blue Grass was out of
character for the colt.

“I’m not necessarily trying to alibi,” Brothers said. “But he’s a horse
that’s showed up every time. He doesn’t have to win, but he shows up. I just
couldn’t understand the deal there.”

First Samurai will be hand-walked in Brothers’ Churchill Downs barn until the
follow-up scan.

Meanwhile, Brothers reported that LAITY (Pulpit), winner of the John
Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park in his seasonal debut, would also be
sidelined due to injury.

“He cracked the outer wing of his coffin bone behind,” Brothers said. “He
should heal fine, but he’ll be looking at the fall before he returns.”

Brothers had been pointing the gelding toward Friday’s Crown Royal American
Turf S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.