Friday, May 11, 2007

Doctor's Orders

Dr. Bramlett has determined that Birdbird has injured his left rear suspensory in one of his recent races. This kind of injury can be very difficult to diagnose and probably played a role in Birdbird's poor showings in both the Florida Derby and Crown Royal American Turf. You can learn more about suspensory injuries here including an article by the the TBA's own Fran Jurga over at Hoof Care who has written on this topic here. Birdbird will get 60 days off at that time Dr. Bramlett will reexamine him. Under normal conditions Birdbird could return to training in about 90 days but Team Bird have decided to give him at least 120 days off and return to training in the fall and plan for an exciting four-year old campaign for Birdbird.

The colt will convalesce at Kenny McPeek's Magdelena Farm in Lexington and Team Bird wants to thank everybody for all their support and we'll see Birdbird back at the races when he is fully recovered.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Birdbird Out with Undetermined Injury

Apparently Birdbirdistheword injured himself during the running of the Crown Royal American on Kentucky Oaks day. Birdbird was closing on the outside coming into the stretch when he lost his action and started acting like he could not get his air. He was scoped after the race but it came back clean. On Saturday the colt was in obvious discomfort when walking. A back injury of some sort is suspected and Birdbird has been shipped to the Lexington clinic of Dr. Bramblett for a complete examination.

When more is known about Birdbird’s condition I will let you know.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

The Bird Is Back !

Birdbird makes his return to the turf and takes on some of the best three-year turf runners in the country on Friday in the Grade 3 Crown Royal American turf. Birdbird will van to Churchill on Thursday from Keeneland where he’s been training. The field includes Irish import, Whatsthescript who is undefeated stateside and Marcavelly who won his last start at Keeneland, the grassy Transylvania. The Bird will be sporting blinkers for the his return and Team Bird feels Birdbird make a good account of himself on Friday