John Malone, the head clocker at Del Mar, was faced with a tough decision recently concerning Cost of Freedom, the million-dollar earner he purchased and retired after the Grade 1 winner dropped down the claiming ranks to the $8,000 level in December 2013.
Last Wednesday, the 19-year-old Cost of Freedom began pawing at the ground and wouldn't eat. Malone called his veterinarian, who treated the gelding for colic, then came back a few hours later and noticed no improvement. After another check and no progress, the vet recommended shipping Cost of Freedom from his home in Winchester, Calif., to the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall.
Malone said X-rays showed stones in Cost of Freedom's intestinal tract – mineral masses known as enteroliths that cause recurring colic symptoms and would require surgery for removal. Malone was told there was a good likelihood of survival, but the surgery and recovery at the clinic would run from $8,000-$10,000.
“My heart is bigger than my bank account,” Malone said. “But I had been through a situation with my father where I had to decide whether or not to take him off life support when he was sick. That was really difficult. I couldn't make the decision to put Cost of Freedom to sleep.”
Malone recalled another pensioner he had taken in decades earlier who had shattered a pastern. “If that horse could talk, he'd have said, 'Give me a chance,'” Malone remembered. “We took care of him and he became ridable, living until he was 32. I had to give Cost of Freedom a chance, too.”
Malone okayed the surgery, which last several hours, ending around 1:30 a.m. Cost of Freedom came out of it well.
The son of Cee's Tizzy has led a good life with a pasture-mate on the five-acre ranch he's resided at since Malone bought him privately after his final start, believing the horse had done enough. Among his 16 victories were the G1 Ancient Title and G3 Los Angeles Handicap and G3 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes.
Malone's daughter, Megan, has set up a GoFundMe account in hopes of raising enough to cover the expense of the surgery. “I'm not a 501(c)3,” John Malone said. “I have paid all his cost of care for nine years. He was a real nice horse, one of the best sprinters in the world. When I saw him running for $8,000 at Hollywood Park, I thought it was a little disrespectful.”
The post GoFundMe Set Up For Cost Of Freedom’s Emergency Surgery appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
