WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Vet that treated Eight Belles trackside talks about injuries in horse racing

Vet that treated Eight Belles trackside talks about injuries in horse racing

By Caton Bredar

LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- The emotions still run deep over the tragic end to the Kentucky Derby. WAVE 3 continues to look into the death of Eight Belles. Some are now demanding changes in the horse racing industry, but WAVE 3's Caton Bredar reports a leading veterinarian says those changes wouldn't have made a difference.

There's finally some encouraging news, to go along with the sad news.

As racing officials continue to struggle with questions surrounding Eight Belles fatal incident on Saturday.

After 3 ½ hours of surgery, 2 feet of wire, 20 screws and a 14" plate,

Chelokee, the horse injured on Oaks Day, is doing surprisingly well.   

"He's just doing terrific. He's moving around his stall soundly, his attitude is great.  He's hunting for peppermints again.  I couldn't be more pleased with where we are so far," says Dr. Larry Bramlage, an equine veterinarian.

Chelokee suffered a severely dislocated ankle. His chances of recovery are 50-50. After surgery, Bramlage says his chances are now 60-40.   Injuries in all types of horses, though, are odds-on to happen at any given time.

"We have horses in the hospital right now that have fractured legs from running in the fields at home. It happens all the time," Bramlage says.

Bramlage was on-call at the Derby when Eight Belles took her final strides. Her injury, less common, but not caused, according to the vet, by her age, her jockey, or the track.   

"She showed first on the right front, then shifted all of her weight onto the left front, and then the left front failed and that left her with neither front leg, and that's why she went down," said Bramlage.

As animal groups rally in Lexington to protest the sport and demand changes, Bramlage has repeatedly gone on the record to say they're misguided.

"Their facts are wrong. It's been scientifically looked at that horses that train as two year olds race more times more successfully, earn more money and make more starts than horses that don't train until they're 3," Bramlage said.

And while horses are delicate by nature, their injuries have to be put into context.    

"There'll be more dogs fatally injured taking walks this year than there will be race horses injured racing. I doubt that we'll stop walking our dogs," says Bramlage.

The trainer of Eight Belles has asked that a drug test be included in his filly's autopsy. He wants to dispel any rumors about steroids. He has also defended Eight Belles' jockey.

Dr. Bramlage says the next 14 days for Chelokee are critical, but if the colt makes it that far, he'll have an 80 percent chance of recovery.

Online Reporter:  Caton Bredar

Online Producer: Charles Gazaway