Surgery scheduled in hopes of saving Banned

Surgery scheduled in hopes of saving Banned

Multiple Grade 2 star BANNED (Kitten's Joy), who fractured both sesamoids in

his right ankle following a Thursday work, has been scheduled for surgery in an

attempt to save his life. Craig Bernick, the president of Glen Hill Farm, is

keeping the colt's fans informed via Twitter.

"There is a slight pulse in the broken ankle, so it is worth taking a shot at

putting it together and trying to save him," Bernick tweeted Friday morning.

Surgery will be performed at 1 p.m. (PDT) on Saturday, Bernick revealed in a

subsequent update.

"He continues to be a good patient, which is the best possible thing going

for him," Bernick said.

Banned showed signs of serious talent last year at two, capturing his first

two turf starts by a combined eight lengths. The Tom Proctor pupil ran a

sneakily-good fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2), where he made a

bold move on the far turn and battled into the stretch.

This season, Banned built on that early promise and developed into a top turf

sophomore. After romping by 4 1/2 lengths in the May 6 American Turf (G2), he

brushed aside his foes by two lengths in the June 18 Jefferson Cup (G3). He

missed by only a neck in the July 16 Virginia Derby (G2), and fared best of the

American-based three-year-olds when third in the August 13 Secretariat S. (G1).

In his most recent start, Banned overcame a wide trip to take the September 4

Del Mar Derby (G2). He returned to the worktab for the first time since then on

Thursday, and covered a half-mile readily in :52 over Santa Anita's firm turf.

He sustained his injuries when pulling up from the easy move.

According to Bernick, the veterinarians assessed Banned's chances of survival

at 20 percent.

Bernick thanked racing fans for their outpouring of support.

"Thanks for all the well wishes for Banned," Bernick tweeted Thursday night.

"They are touching and mean a lot."