Happy Ticket has throat surgery in Kentucky

Happy Ticket, who finished 11th of 13 in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, underwent throat surgery Thursday for an entrapped epiglottis at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., said her trainer, Andrew Leggio Jr.

Leggio believes Happy Ticket entrapped during the running of the Distaff, where she was the co-second choice behind the favored Ashado.

"She ate up good that night after the race, and everything went well other than that epiglottis closing down on her," said Leggio.

With an entrapped epiglottis, a horse's flow of air is blocked.

Leggio said Happy Ticket, who has won 10 of 13 starts, is expected to race during the upcoming Fair Grounds at Louisiana Downs meet in Bossier City, La. The track is her home base, and she is due back there in a few days, said Leggio.

"This is only going to set her back two weeks in training," he said. "After about two weeks of rest, I think we'll go right back to the track with her and go from there."

Happy Ticket, bred in Louisiana, won the Grade 1 Ballerina and finished second in the Grade 1 Beldame earlier this year. She races for Stewart Madison.