Fair Grounds: Ive Struck a Nerve doing 'fine' after surgery

Trainer Keith Desormeaux reported Tuesday that he was informed that the ankle surgery performed the previous day on Ive Struck a Nerve “went about as well as can be expected. The colt came out of it just great and is standing and doing just fine.”

Ive Struck a Nerve suffered a fractured sesamoid in his left front ankle during a Saturday workout at Fair Grounds. Surgery that involved the insertion of one screw was performed in Lexington, Ky., at the Rood and Riddle equine hospital by Dr. Larry Bramlage, the noted equine surgeon.

Desormeaux said he expected that Ive Struck a Nerve would remain at Rood and Riddle for an additional “two or three days,” then would be sent to a farm for several months of rest before being reevaluated.

“I’ve had a couple of cases like this before, and it takes no less than six months before they can come back,” he said. “Hopefully, he’ll come back as good as new.”

At the time of his injury, Ive Struck a Nerve led the new Kentucky Derby qualifying system with 51 points and was virtually assured a spot in the May 4 Derby. He won the Feb. 23 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds at 135-1 to suddenly emerge as a Derby prospect.

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