Fog's cancer spreads
Tests performed Friday on Eclipse winner Lost in the Fog at the University of California at Davis revealed that the cancer in his spleen had spread throughout his system.
A procedure known as a laparoscopy, in which a miniaturized camera was run through the colt's intestine, discovered more tumors, including some in places that were inoperable.
Trainer Greg Gilchrist gave news of the tests to Bay Meadows racing officials, who late Friday afternoon were arranging a conference call on the colt's condition.
Lost in the Fog was scheduled to be vanned back to his Golden Gate Fields stall on Saturday, where his condition will be closely monitored by Gilchrist and owner Harry Aleo.
Lost in the Fog, 4, was taken to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC-Davis, the state's most advanced equine hospital, last Sunday, when he showed signs of discomfort, originally thought to be a mild case of colitis. A sonogram showed that a cantaloupe-sized tumor had developed on his spleen.
Coincidentally, Gilchrist and Aleo had been planning to call a press conference this past Monday to announce the colt's retirement. Quarter crack problems were not healing quickly enough for the colt to run in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Lost in the Fog finished ninth in his final start on July 15, the Grade 2 Smile at Calder. Doctors told Gilchrist the tumor was certainly present and growing when the race was run.
A son of Lost Soldier out of the Dr. Carter mare Cloud Break, Lost in the Fog was purchased privately by Gilchrist for Aleo after failing to meet his reserve price at an Ocala sale of 2-year-olds in training in 2004.
Lost in the Fog gained national attention winning his first 10 career starts, earning triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures each time.
He set a Turf Paradise track record at 6 1/2 furlongs as a 2-year-old in his second start, on Dec. 26, 2004, winning the Arizona Juvenile by 14 3/4 lengths in 1:13.55.
As a 3-year-old, he set a track record at six furlongs at Golden Gate Fields on May 14, 2005, when he scored a 10-length victory in the Golden Bear Breeders' Cup Stakes in 1:07.32.
During his 10-race win streak, he crisscrossed the country six times, winning the Sunshine Millions Dash and later the Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream Park, the Grade 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct, the Grade 2 Riva Ridge at Belmont, the Grade 2 Carry Back at Calder, and the Grade 1 King's Bishop at Saratoga.
Despite finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup, he was voted the Eclipse Award as 2005's leading sprinter. He concludes his career with a record of 11 wins from 14 starts and earnings of $978,099.