Paynter set to rejoin Baffert

Paynter, shown last week, has received veterinary clearance for take-off (Courtesy of Justin Zayat via Twitter)

Grade 1 Haskell Invitational hero Paynter, who captivated racing fans by
beating life-threatening colitis and laminitis, is scheduled to rejoin trainer
Bob Baffert and begin training toward a comeback. Owner Ahmed Zayat revealed the
news via Twitter on
Saturday, exactly one week ahead of Paynter’s departure for California.

“With gratitude to the almighty, and thanking all Paynter’s fans for their
prayers and good wishes,” Zayat began the series of tweets, “Paynter is giving
us our best Christmas and New Year’s gift.

“Paynter has made it very clear to me, my family and his vets and all his
caretakers that he is ready to go back to his trainer @Midnightlute (Baffert’s
Twitter handle) to resume what he loves as a Thoroughbred, which is racing and
being around all his friends.

“After getting the green light from all his vets and him passing yesterday’s
physical examination and ultrasounds that was done at the New Bolton Center with
flying colors, it was decided that he is ready to ship to California.

Paynter will ship Saturday, the same day that the Vox Populi Award will be presented at Santa Anita (Ryan Denver/Equi-Photo)

Making only his fifth career start in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, Paynter
nearly went wire to wire, only to be collared in the final strides by Union
Rags. Paynter posted his breakout performance next out in the July 29 Haskell at
Monmouth, where he dominated by 3 3/4 lengths.

Sadly, Paynter spiked a fever a few days later and had to be transported to
an equine clinic in New Jersey. Discharged after more than a week’s stay, he
soon joined Baffert’s string at Saratoga, but came down with colitis and was
hospitalized at the Upstate Equine Medical Center in Schuylerville, New York, on
August 26.

Paynter’s survival hung in the balance, especially after developing the
dreaded complication of laminitis. But the colt proved a resilient fighter, and
he began to improve under the care of Dr. Laura Javsicas.

Paynter was then discovered to have an abscessed area in his colon, and his
team of specialists recommended transfer to New Bolton Center for surgery.
Following the October 3 operation, Paynter continued his remarkable recovery.
Within two weeks, he was moved to the Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center near
Elkton, Maryland, for his rehabilitation.