Summer Bird surgery successful

Summer Bird is expected to continue racing in 2010 (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com)

SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone), winner of the Belmont S. (G1), Travers (G1), and
Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), underwent successful surgery to repair a
nondisplaced fracture of his right fore cannon bone and is expected to return to
racing next year.

“As long as rehab goes smoothly, he should make a full recovery,” trainer Tim
Ice said. “There was no cartilage damage at all. They inserted one screw, and it
went in with no problem and fit like a glove.”

Summer Bird was operated on Friday upon returning from Japan, where he
suffered the injury while training for the Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1).

Owned by Drs. Jayaraman and Kararikkal Vilasini, the three-year-old chestnut
is considered the leading contender for the Eclipse Award as the top
three-year-old colt. In his most recent start, he was fourth to Zenyatta in the
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).