Chitu training in a special shoe as hoof problem heals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There’s lots to admire about Chitu, who is set to run in the Kentucky Derby next Saturday here at Churchill Downs. He has won three times in four starts, his lone loss a second-place finish to another Derby candidate, Candy Boy, in the Robert Lewis. He has successfully stretched his speed - which he used to win his debut going six furlongs last December - as far as 1 1/8 miles, which he did winning his last start, the Sunland Derby.

And Chitu has overcome a problem with his right front foot that trainer Bob Baffert and his staff work on with due diligence. Based on his record, it apparently has not hindered his performance, but it does demand attention from farriers, including special shoeing between races, and exacting care for the hoof wall.

Chitu is recovering from seedy toe, a rare but potential dangerous condition where a fungus gets into the inner hoof wall. Left untreated, it can cause significant problems. Baffert said Chitu had the condition when he arrived in his barn last fall, and it was addressed quickly by his staff. The fungus is gone, but until the damaged area of the hoof wall completely grows down, extra care is necessary.

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Chitu this week is wearing a corrective shoe, called a spider bar, that goes under his regular horseshoe and helps maintain the integrity of the foot. It is plainly visible when Chitu lifts his foot, such as when he’s being bathed.

The hoof wall also needs reinforcing, and a common hoof care product, the adhesive Equilox, is applied to the hoof, particularly to the area where the most damage was initially trimmed away by a farrier.

Baffert said similar care was done with Chitu prior to his victory in the Sunland Derby in his last start March 23.

“It’s precautionary,” Baffert said. “We need to do it until his hoof wall grows down. It might take another six months.”

Chitu was scheduled for his final Derby workout on Sunday morning here at Churchill Downs. Baffert said Chitu would wear the spider bar for the work, and would train in it next week, but would be shod in a regular racing plate for the Derby.

Chitu was entered in the Derby Trial on Saturday night, but was scratched from the race to go straight into the Derby. Martin Garcia, who will ride him in the Derby, was scheduled to be in town for the workout on Sunday.

Baffert said his top sprint mare Indian Blessing also suffered from seedy toe. She was a two-time Eclipse Award winner, as champion 2-year-old filly of 2007, and champion female sprinter of 2008. She won 10 times in 16 starts, and earned nearly $3 million.