Chelokee update: Donated to U of AZ-RTIP

[jwkniska]

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Chelokee, who broke down last Friday in the Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs, is recovering well from surgery to fuse bones in his right front ankle, according to the colt's owner, Centennial Farms.

An update posted Tuesday on the Centennial Farms website said that Chelokee, a 4-year-old son of Cherokee Run, underwent surgery Monday at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington. Dr. Larry Bramlage performed a procedure called fetlock arthrodesis, in which he fused bones in the ankle and replaced ligaments in the back of the foreleg.

"Everything went as planned, and Chelokee is doing very well," Bramlage said. "He is walking well on both forelimbs."

Bramlage also said Chelokee is "begging for peppermints and tried to nip me as I walked out of his stall" and is eating well.

Plans call for Chelokee's cast to be removed in two weeks, at which point Bramlage will reevaluate the colt's condition.

"Originally given a 50-50 chance of recovery, we are delighted to report that odds are now in our favor," the Centennial statement concluded. "If two weeks pass with no additional complications, then the odds of a full recovery will then rapidly increase."

Chelokee is trained by Michael Matz. He won last year's Grade 3 Northern Dancer Stakes at Churchill and the inaugural running of the Barbaro Stakes at Pimlico, and he also placed in the Grade 1 Florida Derby last season.

Centennial Farms purchased Chelokee for $290,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September sale. Since then, he has earned $385,785 from 5 wins in 10 starts. His injury is career-ending.

[_ed_]

Great news.

[herkhorse]

Indeed great news, lets hope for the best.

[wac]

that is great news. when i saw it happen i was in amazment as to how something like this could happen to the same guy's "big horse". Feel so bad for Matz he seems like a super guy and i hope things get better for him.

[my miss storm cat]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...AS03/808170325

[Habersham000]

Glad to hear he is doing good, he was one of my favorite horses, loved seeing him run! I wish he would have made it into the Derby his 3 year old year, I thought he had a great chance to win it.

[cowgirlintexas]

Yea!! Glad to see he pulled thru it and is perhaps now off to make baby "Chelokees"

[my miss storm cat]

Chelokee given to University of Arizona
By Glenye Cain Oakford

http://www.drf.com/news/article/109919.html

Grade 3 winner Chelokee is expected to cover about 15 mares this year at Arizona's Equine Center in Tucson.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Centennial Farms has donated its Grade 3 winner Chelokee to the University of Arizona's Equine Center in Tucson, where the 6-year-old stallion will cover about 15 mares this year.

Chelokee, a son of Cherokee Run, sustained a career-ending injury to his right front foot in the 2008 Alysheba Stakes. After surgery and extensive rehabilitation, he entered stud in 2009 at Vinery in Lexington, where he covered 24 mares. He stood for $7,500 then, but mare owners will be able to breed to him this year for $2,000. That fee drops to $1,500 for black-type runners or producers, according to the Equine Center's manager, Laura Walker. Chelokee's 2010 book will include seven mares the center owns as part of its equine studies program.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Chelokee given to University of Arizona
By Glenye Cain Oakford

http://www.drf.com/news/article/109919.html

Grade 3 winner Chelokee is expected to cover about 15 mares this year at Arizona's Equine Center in Tucson.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Centennial Farms has donated its Grade 3 winner Chelokee to the University of Arizona's Equine Center in Tucson, where the 6-year-old stallion will cover about 15 mares this year.

Chelokee, a son of Cherokee Run, sustained a career-ending injury to his right front foot in the 2008 Alysheba Stakes. After surgery and extensive rehabilitation, he entered stud in 2009 at Vinery in Lexington, where he covered 24 mares. He stood for $7,500 then, but mare owners will be able to breed to him this year for $2,000. That fee drops to $1,500 for black-type runners or producers, according to the Equine Center's manager, Laura Walker. Chelokee's 2010 book will include seven mares the center owns as part of its equine studies program.

that is wonderful!

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

that is wonderful!

Hope he likes dust

[chucklestheclown]

What a wonderful horse, the Inside Information piece on him should have won an Eclipse.

[Merlinsky]

An update from their FB page:

Originally Posted by University of Arizona Equine Sciences Program

We had a question about how Chelokee is doing on his feet. He had a bad bone infection in his left front foot over Christmas. We worked with Dr. Dryden, Dr. Shamis, Dr. Conaway, Dr. Mansfield, Dr. Pearson, and Brandon Nunn to treat it. X-rays showed the infection was seated deep in the coffin bone, and had demineralized a large section of it. With aggressive treatment and management from our above panel of veterinarians and industry professionals, we were able to beat the infection for now. Due to the bone loss, and because both front feet are compromised, he is sore on both front feet. We feel blessed for each foal, and each day we get to spend with this horse.

I had no idea the poor guy was ill. This sounds pretty nasty. Don't know what kind of long term prognosis we're looking at.

[Merlinsky]

Another update on Chelokee from UoA's Equine Sciences FB page today:

Originally Posted by University of Arizona Equine Sciences Program

Just wanted to update everyone on Mr. Chelokee. We had x-rays shot of his left front (uninjured) which had the bone infection over Christmas and there were no visible signs of infections. The x-rays did show that he had sunk some in his heel which was causing him some discomfort but he is now comfortable on that foot and doing well. We had expected some changes in that foot since the coffin bone had been compromised with the previous infection. He does have some sensitive areas in his right front (injured) heel that we are treating and hoping will grow out and heal. He just got a new glue-on shoe on that foot this morning to continue to support it and keep pressure off the sensitive areas allowing the areas to heal. Thanks to Brandon Nunn and Dr. Larry Shamis. Keep your well wishes and prayers coming for this wonderful horse. He keeps amazing me daily as does his 4 beautiful 2013 fillies! Love this guy!

[Merlinsky]

https://www.facebook.com/18218009176...type=1&theater

Photo update of Chelokee with some Valentine's Day presents he got sent. In the comments they answer questions about his physical state right now. He's missing part of his coffin bone and he's got other issues, but they're doing their best to take care of him and keep him feeling alright. His first mare this year is a QH.

[my miss storm cat]

University of Arizona Equine Sciences Program


Friday, May 2, 2014 we said good bye to one of the most amazing horses I have ever had the privilege of caring for and knowing, Chelokee. Over the past few months we were noticing a tiredness about him that hadn't been there before. The fight was still there but his beautiful body was tired and giving out on him. This big hearted, intelligent, kind horse will be greatly missed. I love you Chelokee!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unive...m/182180091769

[Arletta]

[Merlinsky]

Poor guy. It sounded like he was having a harder and harder time. They tried really hard to make him comfortable, and it's probably for the best now that he doesn't have to deal with that any more. It can't have been easy the last month or so.