Wise Dan could head home Wednesday

Two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan continued to recover without complications after undergoing emergency surgery the morning of May 16 in Lexington, Ky., and could be released from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital as early as Wednesday.

“He is great,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said.

Wise Dan underwent surgery at Rood and Riddle Friday morning to repair a twist in his small intestine; the problem was caught early, and the procedure did not require a resection. After not receiving feed overnight – which is standard procedure following gastrointestinal surgery – Wise Dan was allowed small amounts of food the day after surgery, and has been hand-grazed the following two days.

Upon being released from the clinic, Wise Dan will continue his recovery in familiar surroundings. LoPresti said it has not been decided yet if the gelding will go to his Forest Lane Farm near Lexington, Ky., or to his Keeneland base.

Barring complications with his long-term recovery, Wise Dan could resume light training in six to eight weeks, with this issue not necessarily career-ending.

Wise Dan has won 21 of 29 career starts, including back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, earning $6,802,920. The Wiseman's Ferry gelding and Morton Fink homebred began this season with two Grade 1 victories, scoring in the Maker’s 46 Mile on April 11 at Keeneland before winning the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard – less than two weeks before his surgery.

Wise Dan was honored as Horse of the Year, champion older male, and champion turf male for both 2012 and 2013.