Fair Grounds: St. John’s River still recovering

Until about one month ago, trainer Andy Leggio had hoped to launch St. John’s River’s 2012 campaign in the Tiffany Lass Stakes on Feb. 11, but the start-date to the 4-year-old filly’s season has been pushed significantly back.

In early January, St. John’s River was shipped to Kentucky for throat surgery to correct a breathing problem, and she has yet to return to New Orleans, Leggio said Wednesday.

“They tell me she’s doing well,” Leggio said. “They’re just waiting to make sure she’s all healed up and fine before they send her back down here. The surgery went well, and I’m expecting her back here any day.”

St. John’s River finished second in the Fair Grounds Oaks, came within a neck of winning the Kentucky Oaks, and won the Delaware Oaks during a 2011 campaign in which she earned more than $500,000.