An MRI has revealed significant damage to a sesamoid ligament in the left
front leg of Wood Memorial S. (G1) winner I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even),
according to a report on the Thoroughbred Times website. Dr. Foster
Northrop said the injury to the oblique sesamoidian ligament is
career-threatening.
“(With) these kind of injuries, part of the prognosis depends on how they
heal in the next two or three months,” Northrop said. “If he heals well, then
he’ll go back into training. If he doesn’t, then his career is probably over.
It’s a serious injury of a very important structure. It’s not good news.”
I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) was
withdrawn from the race Saturday morning after the first signs of injury were
detected. Northrop, trainer Jeff Mullins and Dr. Larry Bramlage found heat and
discomfort in the colt’s left front ankle. The colt is now under Bramlage’s care
at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.
Northrop said I Want Revenge could be looking at “some significant physical
therapy.”