Arnaldo Monge and Rey Hernandez’s Finnick the Fierce (Dialed In), a Friday scratch from last Saturday’s GI Kentucky Derby after appearing off during morning training, has been diagnosed with a minor strain of his upper suspensory ligament. The injury is not career-ending, and the one-eyed gelding must rest for 30 days before resuming training.
“We sent Finnick to Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood & Riddle and he found him to have a slightly enlarged proximal suspensory ligament with no fiber disruption. In layman’s terms, it’s a strain, not a tear, and his prognosis is good for a full recovery,” said Dr. Arnaldo Monge, DVM, who co-owns Finnick the Fierce with his trainer Hernandez.
Third in a division of the GI Arkansas Derby in May, Finnick the Fierce most recently finished seventh in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. in July. His connections hope a return to full training in October will allow him to make a start in November or December.
“Racing-fit horses don’t lose much condition in 30 days, so we’re hopeful he can make a start sometime in November or December,” said Monge. “That being said, it’s not about a particular race or schedule–it’s about the horse. The horse always comes first. That’s why, as disappointing as it was to let go of that once-in-a-lifetime dream to run in the Derby, it was an easy decision, because it was about the horse and what’s best for him.”
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