Growing impatient in the gate Spondulix kicked back with his right hind and it somehow got caught in between the doors. Standing on 3 legs, Dr. Verdarosa noticed what was happening and got the crew to get him free. He's scraped up pretty good but appears to be OK. We're lucky the 2 broke through because they may have sprung the latch with Spondulix still stuck which would have been a potential disaster. The cuts were cleaned and dressed and wrapped. Will post pic when I get home. More info in the morning of course. No one recalls a horse doing this. Bizarre luck. He had done everything perfectly leading up to the start. Thanks to everyone for coming out. Will get him back in for a debut as soon as he heals up.

Sorry to hear about this, Steve. I'm glad that a potential crisis was averted. He's a beautiful horse. I don't even want to think about what could've happened.

Spondulix appears generally OK this morning. Has slight swelling on the inside at the right hock where he suffered the worst of the lacerations. He only appears a little sore when walking. More later but it seems like he dodged a bullet as this could have been a mess had he really panicked.

glad he escaped with relatively minor injuries. and yeah, that could have turned out one hell of a lot worse. hope he recovers quickly.

Thanks for the update.

We had the feed on the flat screen in St louis thanks to my buddy in Texas and it froze right as he entered the gate.

The whole field was in the gate and TD was announcing the scratch when we got the feed back.

As he was entering the gate I remarked to the family how calm he was, but that he would have to be n the gate a long time.

Prayers answered that he is only a little sore.

My supers included him in all 4 positions with 12, 7, 2, and 13 + A few others.

Could not care less about wagers when my buddy called and said he had got caught.

Thanks for the updates!

on HRTV they were showing the track feed and it kept going to the now dismounted Ortiz and other handlers behind the gate staring towards the ground, Millie Ball couldn't figure out what was going on and what they were looking at since it was the #2 horse had broken through the gate - will admit my heart was kind of pounding, it was so odd and of course we know now they were looking at the stuck leg, yikes!! Was truly some kind of composure Spondulix had not to severely injure himself by panicking... sure is a handsome fellow, hope to see him back in action soon for his DeeTee partners !

Spondulix good today and goes to track tomorrow. Racing office actually has same race on overnight as an extra for Saturday, so Gary is going to enter him with the thought that he should be fine to go.

Good luck and safe trip.

thanks great news that he is doing fine after his ordeal..

Thanks-Steve, Gary and Stable and all the involved....

Race for Saturday drew just 7 (plus 1 MTO) and isn't used. Not brought back for Sunday...