Callaghan, trainer of Oaks favorite Bellafina, dislocates shoulder in fall

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If Bellafina wins Friday’s Kentucky Oaks, trainer Simon Callaghan may need assistance hoisting the trophy.

Callaghan dislocated his right shoulder early Wednesday morning, slipping as he walked down the stairs of the apartment he has rented as he was getting ready to head to Churchill Downs for morning training.

“My foot went out from under me and I tumbled down the stairs and dislocated my shoulder,” Callaghan said by phone Wednesday morning. “I had to get rushed to the [emergency room] and have them set it back in. But I feel a lot better now, it’s all back in place and thankfully there was no break or anything like that. But it was excruciatingly painful for about an hour so.”

Callaghan was unable to come to the track Wednesday morning to watch Bellafina train. He was planning to come out Wednesday afternoon around feed time and would be there to watch her final training session Thursday morning. His right arm is in a sling.

Bellafina, a three-time Grade 1 winner, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks. She faces 13 rivals in the Oaks, which is two more than she’s faced in her three starts combined this year in the Santa Ynez, Las Virgenes, and Santa Anita Oaks.

“Obviously, come Friday she’s going to have to face some things that she hasn’t – most likely some kickback, a larger field and things like that,” Callaghan said. “Although we feel we’re coming in with an excellent chance we realize it’s certainly not going to be easy.”