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Paynter returns to the races at Hollywood on Friday
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| Paynter became critically ill after his heroics in the Haskell nearly 11 months ago
(Ryan Denver/Equi-Photo) |
Zayat Stables' Paynter, who survived life-threatening battles with colitis
and laminitis last year, will return to action in Friday's
7TH race at Hollywood Park. Stricken following his impressive victory in
last July's Haskell Invitational, the Bob Baffert colt looks to restart his
career in this allowance over seven furlongs on Cushion Track."Paynter ready
to roll," Baffert
tweeted Monday.
Paynter has drawn post 2 with Rafael Bejarano. Standing in the way of his
fairy-tale comeback are seven rivals, including Kate's Event, winner of the
April 27 Tiznow over the track; Grade 3 veteran Majestic City, fourth in the May
27 Los Angeles Handicap in his reappearance; Peruvian champion Fly Lexis Fly,
runner-up in last September's Super Derby and last seen finishing eighth in the
January 12 San Fernando; Argentinean Group 1 winner Grand Berry, exiting a
fourth in the April 27 San Francisco Mile; Chilean Group 1 victor Ashtar, who
has yet to place from eight U.S. starts; and Chilean Group 1 winner Dime Que,
who makes his U.S. premiere off a 19-month layoff.
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Paynter's return to racing had seemed beyond the realm of possibility. The
well-bred son of Awesome Again, out of a full sister to Hall of Famer Tiznow,
fell ill just as he was rising to the top of the active three-year-old class
after the retirements of 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness hero I'll Have
Another and Belmont winner Union Rags. Thwarted by Union Rags in the final
strides of the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, Paynter came right back to dominate the
Haskell, and appeared poised for a big second half of the season.
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| Paynter was a model patient during dark days
(Courtesy of Justin Zayat via Twitter) |
But instead of fighting for glory on the racetrack, Paynter wound up fighting
for his life in the hospital last summer. He initially came down with fever
while still at Monmouth. Transported to an equine clinic nearby, he spent more
than a week there before eventually venturing up to Saratoga. Paynter had only
just resumed training when he became even more seriously ill with fever and
diarrhea. He was admitted to the Upstate Equine Medical Center near
Schuylerville, New York, where he was diagnosed with colitis.Paynter's condition was touch-and-go, but after he appeared to turn the
corner, he then developed laminitis. Again connections feared that he was at
death's door, but Paynter recovered under the watchful eye of Dr. Laura Javsicas.
Although improving, Paynter was still experiencing fever, and not thriving as
hoped.
Further testing revealed that the colt had an abscessed area in his colon.
Sent to New Bolton Center for additional consultations, he underwent intestinal
surgery at the Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, facility on October 3.
Paynter responded immediately to the operation and began to regain weight. He
was transferred to the Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center near Elkton, Maryland,
for a period of rehabilitation.
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Amazingly, Paynter did so well that by late December, his veterinarians
cleared him to return to the rigors of training. He flew to Southern California
and rejoined Baffert at Santa Anita, where he was brought along until ready to
post his first work back -- a sharp three furlongs in :36 on February 26.
Paynter has fired a couple of six-furlong bullets of late, a 1:12 1/5 move at
Hollywood on May 25 and a 1:12 4/5 drill at Santa Anita on June 1. Both were
from the gate. He completed his major preparation with a half-mile tune-up in
:48 3/5 at Santa Anita last Friday, one week ahead of his comeback.
The colt's remarkable resilience, and his bravery in adversity, have gained
him legions of fans. Owner
Ahmed Zayat and his son-cum-racing manager,
Justin,
tweeted frequent updates on Paynter's condition, and the racing public felt part
of his ongoing battles.
Fans responded by voting to give Paynter two awards, the NTRA Moment of the
Year and the Secretariat Vox Populi, in recognition of his saga. Should he make
a victorious return on Friday, that might well be a candidate for 2013 Moment of
the Year honors.
News of Paynter's entry at Hollywood broke on Sunday, the anniversary of his
near-miss in the 2012 Belmont. It was also the day after his close relative,
Oxbow, finished second in Saturday's 145th running of the Belmont. Oxbow,
likewise by Awesome Again and out of another sister to Tiznow, has been the
toughest Triple Crown competitor of 2013, with a commendable sixth in the Derby
and a victory in the Preakness prior to his Belmont effort. True grit runs in
the family.
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