REVENGE: LAMENESS IN LEFT FRONT ANKLE
By Ray Paulick
I Want Revenge, the Kentucky Derby morning line favorite, was scratched because of some lameness detected in his left front ankle that showed up on the morning of the race, trainer Jeff Mullins said during a press conference at 9:15 a.m. Saturday.
Mullins said a "touch of heat" was detected in the ankle after I Want Revenge’s bandages were removed early this morning, and the Stephen Got Even colt was then jogged up and down an asphalt roadway for soundness. "Actually he jogged pretty well," Mullins said. A flexion test of the same ankle showed some lameness.
"Knowing the weather and how well they sealed the racetrack and the possibility of how hard the racetrack may be today if the rain keeps coming," Mullins said, the decision was made to scratch the horse.
Veterinarian Foster Northrup, a member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, also had the horse jogged and did a flexion test on the ankle that showed some lameness when the horse jogged again. Northrup said the lameness fell at one on a scale of one to five that veterinarians use, adding that "is not acceptable for any race."
Northrup commended Mullins and breeder and co-owner David Lanzman "for doing the right thing by the horse. They made the right call for the horse."
X-rays and ultrasound failed to show any specific problem, so neither Northrup nor Dr. Larry Bramlage, an equine surgeon, had a diagnosis of a specific injury. More tests will be conducted on the horse to determine the specific nature of the injury and when I Want Revenge could return to training.
The withdrawal of the morning line favorite was the most significant scratch on the day of the Derby since A.P. Indy was forced out due to foot lameness in 1992. The son of Seattle Slew returned a few weeks later to win the Peter Pan Stakes and the Belmont Stakes en route to 3-year-old champion and Horse of the Year honors. I Want Revenge’s sire, Stephen Got Even, is a son of A.P. Indy.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: foster northrup, I Want Revenge, jeff mullins, kentucky derby, kentucky derby scratch, larry bramlage, Paulick Report
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:36 am
Bummer that he won’t be able to race but kudos to his connections for doing the right thing!
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:40 am
While I feel no sorrow for Mullins, I do for Talamo and even a tiny bit for IEAH. I hope whatever’s going on is minor for I want Revenge. He’s definitely talented!
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:40 am
Maybe Jeff shouldn’t have picked the 13th gate to start from after all.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 am
I do feel sorry for Joe Talamo - does this mean Iavarone didn’t make the press conference? Or was he just very quiet?
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
Well insert comments about hubris and the Derby gods here.
My condolences to Talamo and IWR, their presence will be really missed today.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 am
It’s a shame. He’s a nice horse. At least all the potential embarrassment is avoided. Imagine if he won and his trainer began serving his suspension tomorrow.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 am
An IWR win would have been a PR nightmare at a really, really tough time. I’ve been down all morning about this, because for the sake of the horse, all his competitors, and the Derby itself, this is a tough blow.
However considering honestly the weeks of blood pressure-raising mainstream media hell that would follow an IWR win is enough to soothe the pain. The horse is essentially okay and I don’t have to see those two faces and their quotations…I’ll take that silver lining.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 am
Now Mullins can leave on his fishing trip a day earlier. Bye bye! I am sorry for IWR and his young and talented jockey but I am glad they will be safe this afternoon.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Is it my imagination or are there far more “scratches” this year. I know injuries happen, but it seems uncommonly excessive. One by one, week after week. Since there was no “diagnosis” by Bramlage, I have to wonder if the sudden “filling” and lameness could be a result of the withdrawal of “medication” before this race. Just a hunch, but given the history of this trainer, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Sorry for the horse, but glad I won’t see that “team” in the winners circle!
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 am
What about the alleged blood tests that were pulled yesterday on every Derby runner for steroids? Any truth to that? Scratch before it’s too late???
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Cynicism aside, it is a disappointment, to say the least, for all concerned I Want Revenge will sit out the Derby - for whatever reason - but don’t we all feel fortunate he will live to thrill us with his bravery and with his heart of a champion in the future?
On another note, have I missed something concerning General Quarter’s Florida trainer ( 2 good 2nd’s and a win) Mark L. Miller? With all the hype and “feel good” stories about the connections of the horse - including Ramsey - why has this person been swept under the rug by the press and “the principal” alike? Haven’t even read so much as a “thank you” quote from “the principal” - have I missed something?
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Ann,
there is a terrible bias towards big names and connected people in this business. It’s almost impossible for an “average” person to get any real attention from the media. I guess Mr. Miller just isn’t “sexy” enough or “controversial” enough to draw their attention. It’s a real shame. I believe most racing fans are sick of seeing the same faces shoved in our face all the time.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
It was I Want Revenge finally getting it. He was able to see that Mullins could begin to start his 7 day suspension early. By the way, who will be monitoring Mullins over the next week? He is to have NO contact with stable hands about his horse(s). Doesn’t that include a prohibition on cell phones’ (voice and text messages) use to/from his assistants, owners, etc.?
Churchill Downs is losing a ton of money today. Scratches galore. The morning line favorite is one of them, and the turf course is close to a bog.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
How about this scenario….Mullins gets caught preracing this horse morning of the Derby (remember what happened to Mullins on Wood Memorial day)…. so what is best way to handle this for racing’s integrity??….. the horse is scratched for the following reason: the trainer noticed a warm spot on his ankle… scratched the horse..who will undoubtedly be good to go in the Preakness
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Mullins probably has belatedly and unfortunately discovered the peril of working his horse two miles on a heavy track–see Friday Derby notes.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Aqueduct,
Having had personal experience with Larry Bramlage diagnosing “lameness”. I can tell you that man is a genius in diagnosing what is wrong and where it is. I’ve seen him in action. I can’t imagine he truly doesn’t know the “cause” of this “heat”. Given the history of Mullin’s, he will never have the benefit of doubt from me. Your suspicions could have merit.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Dear conspiracy theorists,
Mark Miller is not General Quarter’s trainer. He “subbed” for McCarthy over the winter. You can’t mention everything…
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=999990306035