Breeders’ Cup Contender Geaux Rocket Ride Suffers Serious Injury in Training at Santa Anita

Top Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride sustains open fracture on right front leg; prognosis unclear with surgery scheduled for Sunday.

Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride was injured during a workout at Santa Anita, sustaining an open fracture on his right front leg and damaging his intersesmoidian ligament.
The horse was taken to the backstretch equine hospital at Santa Anita for an evaluation before being moved to his barn, where he is set to undergo surgery on Sunday.
The injury is extremely serious, with the open fracture having broken the skin and the ligaments having been stretched. Trainer Richard Mandella stated that the situation is very delicate and that Geaux Rocket Ride is in a 'lucky to make it' condition.
If Geaux Rocket Ride survives, his racing career will be over. A procedure named arthrodesis will be attempted, which essentially immobilizes the affected area. Post-recovery, the horse might be able to do light activities and potentially even go to stallion duty.
This is the second severe injury at Santa Anita in the lead-up to the Breeders' Cup, with Echo Zulu, a 4-year-old champion filly, also suffering a career-ending injury earlier this month.