Hollywood Park: Centralinteligence on road to recovery

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The last time Centralinteligence was seen, nearly three weeks ago, he was being removed from the track at Santa Anita after being injured in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

It certainly looked like his racing career was in jeopardy, and it still may be, but Centralinteligence’s recovery from surgery to repair a condylar fracture to his right front leg has gone so well at this early stage that he could eventually return to racing, trainer Ron Ellis said.

“He could come back,” Ellis said. “It all depends on what level.”

Centralinteligence, 5, is a Grade 1 winner, having won the Triple Bend Handicap here at Betfair Hollywood Park in June. Ellis is cautious by nature and said he will give Centralinteligence, a gelding, ample time to recover and see if he can still compete at a high level.

“You’ve got to give a horse with an injury like that plenty of time,” Ellis said. “They usually need a year off from racing.”

Surgery on Centralinteligence was performed by Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, who in 2012 “took a couple chips out of his knee,” Ellis said, “and he came back and won a Grade 1.”

Stitches from the most-recent surgery were removed over the weekend, and this week Centralinteligence was sent to Temecula, Calif., to recuperate at the Peacefield Farm of his co-owner John Amerman.

“The leg looked good,” Ellis said. “There was no swelling. There was no cartilage damage when he was hurt. In two months, we’ll take X-rays and see where we’re at.”