Lady Eli making progress in recovery from laminitis

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Had she been healthy, Lady Eli would have been the star attraction in Friday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga.

But for the last six weeks, Lady Eli has been battling laminitis, the result of stepping on a nail walking back to her Belmont Park barn after she dominated the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 4.

Lady Eli continues to make progress in her fight against laminitis, and she is up to walking 20 to 30 minutes a day twice a day, trainer Chad Brown said Wednesday.

“She’s doing terrific,” Brown said. “She got looked at [Tuesday] and everyone’s really thrilled with how she’s doing. She’s increasing her exercise every day now. She’s walking twice a day and she’s getting out on the courtyard and grazing twice a day. She’s ready to do more. Excellent hoof growth; her feet really look good.”

Brown said Lady Eli will remain at Belmont Park and will continue to be evaluated once a week.

“We’re going to take it week to week with her,” Brown said. “So far she couldn’t be doing any better. We set all these goals for her hoping she’d hit them and she’s hitting them all.”

Brown also confirmed that Irish Jasper, winner of the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont and the fourth-place finisher in the Grade 1 Test, has been transferred to him. Prior to the Test, Irish Jasper was purchased by Will Farish and David Mackie.