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Paynter could race again

Paynter appears to have beaten laminitis (Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos) Owner Ahmed Zayat is holding out hope that his star colt Paynter, who has waged a terrific battle against the twin evils of colitis and laminitis, could actually make it back to the races. Zayat took to his Twitter page Friday to update fans with the remarkably upbeat prognosis: "Our warrior had Dr. Brian Fraley flown in from Kentucky to visit him and wow, yes, he has beaten laminitis. And yes he can race again. Here are the details. "Paynter's casts were removed today. He is showing uniform wall growth in all four feet. Radiographs taken barefoot showed significant sole growth. The hoof-lamellar zone has returned to a normal thickness indicating a decrease in swelling within the hoof. "Soft-ride boots with EVA foam pads were placed on the front feet and EVA foam pads were placed on the hind feet. He is sound at the walk.

"Drs. Javsicas and Fraley are optimistic that his feet will not be performance limiting, meaning that he can race again at a top-notch level.

"Now that our warrior have beaten this sick disease of laminitis if he can only beat his colitis and get his GI track back to normal. Healing will take some time but we are heading in the right direction.

"His fever is normal today. He is bright, happy and comfortable. I am on cloud nine, I will take it day by day.

"We can't claim victory yet, but the people's horse is fighting hard and he is so courageous."

Paynter has been stricken by illness since his impressive victory in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 29. The Bob Baffert pupil came down with a fever a couple of days afterward, necessitating his transfer to a New Jersey clinic. Discharged after a more than weeklong stay, he resumed training at Saratoga, only to become even more seriously ill.

Exhibiting fever and diarrhea, Paynter was transported to Upstate Equine Medical Center in Schuylerville, New York, where he was diagnosed with life-threatening colitis. It was touch and go at times, but just as he turned the corner, he suffered the dreaded complication of laminitis. Once again his survival was at stake, yet Paynter fought on and has come through so far.

Dr. Laura Javsicas, whom Zayat has praised as an "angel," has been in charge of his care.

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