Derby winner Animal Kingdom recuperating
July 7, 2011ELKTON, Md. (AP) - Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is recuperating in Maryland after surgery to repair a slab fracture in his left hind leg.
The colt's ownership, Team Valor International, said Thursday that Dr. Dean Richardson performed the surgery on June 30 and inserted two screws to compress the hairline fracture that was discovered with a CAT scan. The surgery was done at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.
Richardson says the fracture would have healed on its own, but by using two screws instead of one, Animal Kingdom has the best chance to minimize any arthritis that might occur in his leg.
Animal Kingdom was returned to his barn at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md., last weekend. Plans call for the colt to begin walking in a few weeks.