Rockport Harbor ailing again

[cj]

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27444

This isn't a good sign.

[the little guy]

This soap opera is getting more than a little tiresome.

If these stories are in fact true, then the connections of this horse are doing him a serious disservice if they continue on the TC trail, as the inflicted damage will most likely ruin him ( a la Unbridled Song ). And if they're a whole lot of nothing, then why do we have to keep hearing about them?

[cj]

Unbridled's Song was exactly the horse that I was thinking of also. Not good for the horse, but as a bettor, if he runs, more value to be had.

[kenwoodallpromos]

Sounds nutty to me. And they want to run him every 2 weeks for what, 5 races in a row?

[DerbyTrail]

Rockport Harbor diagnosed with blood clotBy MARY RAMPELLINI
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Rockport Harbor was diagnosed with a blood clot on Sunday, and is considered day-to-day for the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 16, according to his trainer, John Servis. If he were to miss the race, Rockport Harbor will be pointed for the Grade 2, $325,000 Coolmore Lexington at Keeneland on April 23.

Rockport Harbor did not train on Saturday or Sunday, and, at the earliest, will not be released to return to the track until Wednesday. He was examined on Sunday by Doug Byars, a prominent veterinarian who flew in to Oaklawn from Lexington, Ky.

"He did an ultrasound, and what [Rockport Harbor] has is a blood clot in his neck," said Servis.

The blood clot is located on the right side of Rockport Harbor's neck, and is being treated with a combination of blood thinners and antibiotics. There is no sign of an abscess, said Servis.

"The main concern is the blood clot dissolving," he said. "Dr. Byars doesn't want him to go to the racetrack and break that loose and have it travel somewhere, so we can't send him to the track until Wednesday."

Servis believes the blood clot might have been brewing for a while, and "came to a head," on Saturday. Servis did not train Rockport Harbor that morning after the colt did not seem like himself, and was found to have a small knot on his neck. An injection is believed to be the cause of the blood clot.

"Longterm, the prognosis is good," said Servis.

As for a start in the Arkansas Derby, the setback places Rockport Harbor on a tight schedule from now until April 16.

"We're going to try to make it, but I'll let the horse tell me," said Servis. "If he's not ready, then we'll run in the Lexington."

Rockport Harbor had been on a day-to-day basis for the Grade 3, $250,000 Rebel last month at Oaklawn after an old laceration on his right hind foot flared up. But he won that battle and finished a big second in the March 19 race, which was his first start at 3. Rockport Harbor was undefeated as a 2-year-old, and closed out his juvenile campaign with a win in the Grade 2 Remsen on Nov. 27. In that race, he was stepped on by another rival and suffered a gash to his right hind foot. The foot, which was patched on Friday afternoon after another recent flareup, was in great shape as of Sunday, said Servis. Rockport Harbor, who is a top candidate for the Kentucky Derby, is owned by Fox Hill Farms. Servis won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness last year with Smarty Jones.

[Lasix1]

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27444

This isn't a good sign.
Trainer John Servis was quoted in the Arkansas Democrat this morning as saying: "Whoever nicknamed this son of a b**** got it right because his 3-year-old year has been nothing but rocky."

[JPinMaryland]

it was good instinct by Servis not to work him out the other day when he noticed he didnt seem himself.