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Sheldon Russell Set For Surgery

Maryland's leading rider this season Sheldon Russell will undergo have surgery to repair an injury to his right foot suffered in a pre-race spill Sept. 9 at Laurel Park. The 34-year-old received the news Monday after visiting Dr. Jacob Wisbeck, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle injuries at MedStar Health in Timonium, Md. Russell said a date for surgery won't be determined before a follow-up visit Sept. 20.

“What we found out is it's the main bone in the foot and needs to be addressed,” Russell said. “If I opted not to do the surgery and heal it by myself there's chances of dislocation [and other complications]. He's given me another week to get the swelling down.”

Russell said he was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury, involving both the bones and ligaments in middle part of his foot, due to the way he landed and causing separation between his first two toes. Surgery may include inserting hardware to stabilize the area.

“I'll sit down with him next Monday at 8 o'clock and we'll X-ray the foot [again]. Hopefully, some of the swelling has gone down and we can sort of schedule something,” he added. “Right now, that's probably the route I'm taking to do the right thing. I'm going to be off regardless, so why not get it fixed properly.”

Russell was hurt after being thrown when Little Bit of That, a 2-year-old Maryland-bred Great Notion filly trained by his wife, Brittany Russell, reared in the post parade of her scheduled first start. She got loose and was scratched from the maiden special weight event, and is entered again to make her debut Thursday under jockey Forest Boyce.

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Classic-Placed Lone Eagle Out For Season With Injury

Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who placed second in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, will miss the rest of the season after sustaining an injury in the July 24 G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. according to trainer Martyn Meade.

“I'm afraid he suffered an injury after his run in the King George,” said trainer Martyn Meade. “It's an injury that will take careful management–he's certainly out for the rest of this season, and the rest of his career is under doubt.

“He's obviously going to have the best recuperation. Unfortunately that's why he was a bit disappointing in the King George. He was found afterwards to have sustained an injury. Hence, the reason he's not run since.

“Hopefully, he might come back next season–but he's got to make a full recovery.”

Successful in the G3 Zetland S. at Newmarket to end his 2-year-old season on Oct. 10, the colt resurfaced with a fourth in the G3 bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on Apr. 23. A classy winner of the Listed Cocked Hat S. at Goodwood on May 21, Lone Eagle was only a neck behind Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Irish Derby after leading for the majority of the 1 1/2-mile trip in June. He was last of five in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and was under consideration for September's G1 Cazoo St Leger.

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‘Accident-Prone’ Horses May Merit Additional Examination

Though horse owners often joke that their horses seem to be looking for ways to injure themselves, is there a point where a horse may be more than simply “accident prone?” Dr. Amelia Munsterman, Associate Professor of Large Animal Surgery and Emergency Medicine at Michigan State University, tells EQUUS magazine there may be some additional reasons a horse may seem intent to harm himself, including soreness, lameness and neurologic issues.

The first step in determining whether there's an underlying problem is to have the horse thoroughly checked by a veterinarian, including a focused neurologic exam. This exam will put the horse through a variety of movements to see if he knows where his limbs and body are in space. A lameness exam is also helpful as a horse that is sore may alter his gait and the way he moves, causing him to run into things.

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One other thing the vet should check is the horse's vision. Limited sight in one or both eyes will cause difficulty for a horse trying to navigate his surroundings.

If all of these tests yield no concrete answers, the horse may simply be very curious; adding toys to his stall may keep him out of trouble, Munsterman says. Ensuring he is in a regular exercise program can assist with channeling his extra energy, and spacing out feedings can also help keep him busy and out of trouble.

Figueroa and Mejia On the Mend

Jockey Heriberto Figueroa, injured in a spill at Monmouth Park last Sunday, will resume riding at the track during Friday's card. Tomas Mejia, who was involved in the same spill, is likely to be out at least one more week while he recovers, according to the agents for both riders.

“He's doing fine and ready to ride again,” said John Salamone, Figueroa's agent. “He's 100%.”

Mejia's return will likely be delayed another week, according to agent Robert Tuccille.

“He is feeling a lot better, but we're going to take the safe approach and not rush back so he will not ride this weekend,” said Tuccille. “He's just sore, so we'll give it another week. The plan is for him to resume riding next weekend.”

Both riders were transported by ambulance to Monmouth Medical Center following the spill in Sunday's fifth race. Both were released later that night.

The incident occurred when Mejia's mount, Service With Honor, appeared to clip heels with a tiring One More Nightcap coming out of final turn of the mile and a sixteenth starter allowance on the grass, with Mejia slamming into the turf. Figueroa, aboard Rose for a Saint, went down trying to avoid Service With Honor.

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