When Drew Brees leads the New Orleans Saints against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL playoff game on Sunday, among those watching closely from the heart of Kentucky horse country will be Dr. Christopher Johnson, who operates his Equine Surgical Services out of Versailles. “I went to high school in New Orleans, so I have been a Saints fan as long as I've been alive,” Johnson said. Johnson was instrumental in saving the life of Old Friends resident Misszoey Belle last month – and Brees was instrumental in rewarding him, contributing an autographed football as unorthodox payment for the surgeon. Misszoey Belle, a Jambalaya Jazz mare who recently turned 13, won 7 of 74 starts during a lengthy racing career before being purchased back by breeder John Oxley to be retired to Old Friends. But that peaceful retirement was interrupted when the mare showed signs of severe colic in mid-December. She was rushed to Lexington’s Park Equine Clinic, which provides Old Friends with comprehensive veterinary care cost-free. But one of Park Equine’s regular surgeons was not available that night, so the clinic called in Johnson, who is among the board-certified surgeons available for an emergency.   Johnson operated on the mare to repair an intestinal obstruction known as an epiploic foramen entrapment – the displacement of a segment of small intestine through a small hole. Misszoey Belle returned to Old Friends a few days later and has recovered well, with a good prognosis for long-term health. When Johnson learned that his patient was an Old Friends retiree, he offered to waive his fee. But Old Friends resident veterinarian Bryan Waldridge knew his colleague in the profession was a lifelong Saints fan and set the wheels in motion to ensure Johnson’s work was rewarded. Saints owner Tom Benson is a well known Thoroughbred owner, campaigning runners such as graded stakes winners Tom’s Ready and Mo Tom under the GMB Racing banner with wife Gayle Benson in recent years. Benson is also well acquainted with Old Friends, as one of his colorbearers, Saint Aloysius, was retired to the farm after sustaining a career-ending injury last year. Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen made a call to the Saints office, and Brees – an avid racing fan who has owned horses, including graded stakes-placed Holy Candy in partnership, autographed a ball to be sent to Johnson. “We always love helping Old Friends and Michael,” said Greg Bensel, who manages GMB Racing for the Bensons and is the senior vice president of communications for the Saints. “After all, he was there for us when we needed a good home for Saint Aloysius. Drew is so kind and giving with his time that when we need a signed ball, he's always available. And to be honest, he loves the horse-racing industry, and he loves that the horses at Old Friends get great care. So, while he is busy planning for the Panthers game, I know he feels great about this.”