Lady Blitz – FAMILIA BOTERO RACING

Lady Blitz Update

Lady Blitz had her follow-up scope by Dr. Madison (who performed her surgery) on Friday morning at Wavertree and it was unfortunately discovered that her tie-back has failed.

Dr. Madison said, “The tie-back sutures cutting through the cartilage resulting in loss of abduction of the arytenoid is the single biggest problem that has plagued this procedure for 50 years.”

We are now left with three options for Lady Blitz: 1) repeat the tie-back surgery; 2) an arytenoidectomy; or 3) a career change.

According to Dr. Madison, about 50% of the horses that undergo a repeat tie-back are still unable to achieve any abduction or adequate abduction after the second surgery, so it’s certainly not a guaranteed fix (nor was the first surgery). Repeat tie-back surgery does, however, offer the best prognosis for the horse being able to perform to her ability if the procedure is successful. An arytenoidectomy (removing the left arytenoid) can be attempted, but the two potential problems with that procedure are possible dynamic collapse of the unsupported soft tissues at high air flows and potential aspiration. The overall success rate in Thoroughbreds following an arytenoidectomy is 50%, meaning 50% will race following the procedure and 50% will have to move on to a second career. Of the 50% that race, some do well and others race but probably not to their full capability. The final option would be exploring broodmare or other second career options.

We will be having further conversations with Dr. Berk (MyRacehorse Resident Veterinarian), who is familiar with this specific case, before making any decisions, but wanted to share the latest with you all.

Lady Blitz

Lady Blitz Workout Report

Lady Blitz (inside) breezed very nice this morning, covering three furlongs in :37.20 and galloped out a half-mile in :50.40. Farm trainer Ciaran Dunne loves the way she is training as he did when she was a 2-year-old. She continues to look better physically and remains on turn out for the majority of the days with her buddy Here’s the Kicker.

Ciaran did note she made a slight whistle sound post work but did scope clean. It doesn’t present a concern at this time but it is something we will continue to monitor as her breezes increase.

Lady Blitz

Graduation Day

We have some very exciting news to share with you about Lady Blitz. After her work on Friday morning at Wavertree in Ocala, farm trainer Ciaran Dunne gave the green light for the filly to ship out to her official trainer of record Todd Pletcher. Lady Blitz will ship down to Todd’s string at Palm Beach Downs tomorrow morning.

Like all two-year olds at this stage of the game, Lady Blitz still has a way to go in her training prior to making a debut at the races (hopefully early summer at Belmont or Saratoga). Nevertheless, it’s been quite amazing to see her handle the early breaking and training process with such ease and energy. We look forward to seeing how she progresses now with Todd.

Lady Blitz

Lady Blitz Update

As part of Wavertree’s training routine for yearlings, trainer Ciaran Dunne likes to have the horses return to the grass fields once a week even though they have graduated to training on the racetrack, so part of Lady Blitz’s work this week was revisiting the training fields. Among the reasons to do this, Ciaran explained, is to reeducate them and keep their focus, plus it allows the team to get an up-and-close look at them.

Ciaran remarked that Lady Blitz “continues to train really well and carries herself beautifully, bows her head, and uses herself, front and back.”

Here’s your daughter of Audible (yellow saddlecloth) after training earlier this week and headed back to the barn.

Lady Blitz

Major Steps!

We’re delighted to report that Lady Blitz made a seamless transition from training in the grass fields to now galloping over the main track and has even begun the early process of gate schooling.

She’s been training on Wavertree’s main track for several days now and we wanted to share a video of her from Monday. Make sure to turn up the volume to hear Ciaran Dunne talking about your Audible filly, who is on the outside and wearing the yellow saddlecloth in the first part of the video during her gallop. She then can be identified as the last horse to walk through the open starting gate stall. Ciaran refers to the filly by her dam’s name, Patsy’s Kim.

Lady Blitz

Lady Blitz Update

Enjoy the scenes of Lady Blitz training yesterday (she’s wearing the yellow saddle cloth) at Wavertree with commentary from Ciaran Dunne. The Audible filly is approaching her final days of training in the grass fields before moving on to the main track. Ciaran said your yearling is a lovely-acting filly and is eager to please and has taken her lessons well, without missing a beat.

In other exciting news, our Events Team has been busy behind the scenes, planning multiple unique visits for you to see your filly this winter in Ocala. Below we have supplied links for you to read more about these events and to find the date that suits you best to meet Lady Blitz. We can’t wait to see you in Ocala this winter!