Epicharis Lame?

[handyman1968]

It does not matter if his foot suddenly heal and he's ready to run again. Missing works leading to the race is a concern and yes he's an automatic toss out at the moment.

[analyzer]

This horse has traveled half way around the world. It has been pointed toward this race. I would not think the connections would take a chance on running the horse if there is a doubt. The extra 1 Million Bonus if the horse wins the race in addition to the winners share of the purse might cause one to wait to make this decision. This does not eliminate the foot problem but it does provide a Million Dollar explanation for the last minute decision.

[jettroofer]

I was told by someone at the track today that Epicharis was on ice the day before the UAE Derby as well. Haven't been able to verify this but if it's true, those that back him should appreciate the extra odds

[Mulerider]

DRF reporting this morning that Epicharis is a go, pending examinations by 5(!) veterinarians. No treatment listed last night; he's now fitted with a glue-on shoe on the suspect right front.

[olddaddy]

Shows scratched

[Alwaysonpoint36]

He's out

[Mulerider]

Yep, vet scratch. Heat in the affected hoof.

[classhandicapper]

I had a conversation about this horse with a friend yesterday and told him I thought it would be miraculous if the horse got past the vet. I've had horses look 100% sound, be working regularly with no issue, the trainer thinks the horse is doing well and the horse did not get past the vet because they thought something was a little off. Then when we had the horse checked our the vet was right. The vets at NYRA are very good at what they do and they are very cautious. This horse had a clear problem and wasn't even working.

[Blenheim]

Unfortunate.

I was looking forward to the drama, but it wasn't meant to be. Sure is a tough game this hoss' racin', thinkin' maybe the differing surface conditions during that blow out the other day is implicated here.

I wish the horse and his connections well. Thanks for givin' it a go, it was fun while it lasted and that's all one can ask. Have a nice flight back home. Maybe see ya next time.

Domo,

[Mulerider]

Kudos to the vets. I suspect the NSAIDs masked the hot hoof on Thursday and Friday, and once it was withdrawn the symptoms reappeared. I like the no-bute-within-24 hours rule. Might have saved this horse, you never know.

[handyman1968]

It's a shame because I think he stacks very well against this years crop of 3yr olds. But without the hoof issues I also think he was going be be around 5-1 and that made him unplayable already. The Japanese are the most sporting horse owners when it comes to traveling their horse and look forward to them one day winning their holy grail, the Arc.

[Ruffian1]

Originally Posted by Mulerider

Kudos to the vets. I suspect the NSAIDs masked the hot hoof on Thursday and Friday, and once it was withdrawn the symptoms reappeared. I like the no-bute-within-24 hours rule. Might have saved this horse, you never know.

It might ease some of the pain and make the horse more comfortable, but I have never seen NSAIDS fully mask heat in a hoof.

The pulse is rapid no matter the bute in most cases.

Thus, the heat.

[Hoops McCann]

disappointing. i wanted to see how he measured up and would've added some flavor to the Belmont. now it's highly unlikely he races outside of Japan again.