More than a year after he was the subject of a cruelty investigation in Delaware, Food And Wine is moving onwards and upwards.
The 5-year-old gelding was listed as available for adoption late last week by the MidAtlantic Horse Rescue and as of Nov. 14 already had his status change to “pending.”
According to the organization, he has been “foot perfect” in his return to work, and has learned to stand for the mounting block and can walk/trot/canter under saddle.
Food and Wine crossed the finish line first in his last start on June 2, 2021 but walked out of the Delaware Park winner's circle lame and was put on the veterinarian's list. He was subsequently disqualified from that victory after post-race testing came back positive for methocarbamol.
After he was put on the list, owner Jose Luis Rosales and trainer Linda Lee Manchio were informed by a private veterinarian the horse had a 50 percent tear in one of his tendons that would take eight months of rest to heal. Instead, his connections put him back in training, posting a three-furlong work on Sept. 25.
Read our previous reporting on this case here.
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If you appreciate our work, you can support us by subscribing to our Patreon stream. Learn more.Rosales contacted regulatory veterinarians requesting they observe a timed workout scheduled for Oct. 3 in order to get the horse off the vet's list. He pulled up from that work lame and regulators later discovered the horse received dexamethasone on Sept. 27 and 28 and Naquasone on Sept. 27 ahead of the work.
Both Manchio and Rosales were fined $2,500 and suspended 30 days. Neither has had a starter in 2022.
Beverly Strauss, executive director of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, estimates the horse's rehabilitation cost close to $5,000, which was supported in part by a fundraiser by Chef's Expressions at the Manor Tavern in Monkton, Md.
Food and Wine's old bow is still visible but is cold and tight, and he is considered suitable for most disciplines. He is eligible for the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover.
The post More Than A Year After Cruelty Case, Retired Delaware Runner Is Up For Adoption appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
