Paynter continued his remarkable comeback Tuesday when posting his first
workout since returning to trainer Bob Baffert’s barn in late December,
completing three furlongs in :36 at Santa Anita. It was the third-fastest of 12
workers at the distance.
“He went nice, very nice,” Baffert told Daily Racing Form. “He’s
training great. He looks great.”
Paynter got sick after recording a convincing 3 3/4-length victory in the
Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in late July. He 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 began his amazing recovery. Within
two weeks, he was moved to the Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center near Elkton,
Maryland, for his rehabilitation and there have no been no hiccups since then.
“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,” owner
Ahmed Zayat said on December 23. “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.”
Zayat kept fans apprised of Paynter’s critical illness, and his well wishers
responded with an outpouring of support and prayers. So compelling was his
recovery story that it was named the “NTRA Moment of the Year” and Paynter also
received the 2012 Secretariat Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People,” Award that
recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with
the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing.
Baffert called it a “miraculous recovery” on Tuesday and added, “I don’t see
any effects from the illness.”
Paynter, who finished a neck second in the Belmont Stakes two starts back,
has earned $952,224 from a 6-3-2-0 career mark.
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