Clyde's Image injures tendon in deep stretch of Poker Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Clyde’s Image looked like he was going to win the Poker Stakes on Sunday as the 9-5 favorite. About 20 yards before the wire, he took a funny step and jockey Javier Castellano can be seen grabbing the horse trying to slow him down. Clyde’s Image finished fifth, beaten a neck.

He was diagnosed with a bowed tendon in his right foreleg, an injury that will definitely end his racing career. On Monday, trainer Tom Bush was guardedly optimistic the gelding could be saved.

“He’s much, much better in terms of bearing weight on that leg,” Bush said Monday morning. “It’s going to be a long haul. I just want to get him to where I can give him a different life if we can get him healthy.”

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Bush said there was too much edema surrounding the area to take an ultrasound and get a definite determination of how severe the injury is. He anticipates being able to ultrasound the area in a week.

Bush said the horse will likely get treated with platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell therapy.

“It doesn’t give you a better prognosis, it gives you a faster healing time,” Bush said. “We’re not trying to do anything but make him where he can be some kind of a useful riding horse maybe even something a bit more. We’ll have to see what structures are involved.”

Bush noted that owner Mary Sullivan “will do anything to help him.”

Clyde’s Image, a 5-year-old gelding by Got Stormy, had a record of 3-3-1 from 10 starts and earned $306,500. He finished second in three stakes, including the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile and was also third in the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.