Paynter back in clinic; Colitis diagnosed..

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

They say there are going to try to bring Paynter back. Based on your knowledge of what he's gone through, what percentage chance would you give him of coming back at 100% and being the same racehorse as he was before?

I don't know about a %, but Seattle Slew came back after colitis so that would be doable. Paynter also has the laminitis situation. In his case, though, it sounds like it barely showed up even though he did technically have it in 3 feet. The major effects of laminitis that would make him unraceable didn't happen, so in theory he could do it.

I understand saying he's been through enough and why continue, but this horse is pretty scrappy and if he continues to improve, there's no reason he couldn't race as before. Jackson Bend was a different situation. Paynter is a tough horse to deal with in the barn according to Zayat and Baffert, and he's starting to show that attitude again. I think psychologically he could still be tough on the track, but we'll have to wait til he starts training to find out. Might take an actual race like JB.