No surgery for Serious
DEL MAR, Calif. – Serious, a 4-year-old filly who suffered fractured sesamoids in a turf sprint July 31 at Del Mar, is recovering without the need of surgery and could be bred next year, trainer Vince Smith said Wednesday.
A former $5,000 claimer, Serious was pulled up on the turn in the race and is the most recent horse injured in a race on the turf course. Immediately following her injury, there was concern that Serious would have to be euthanized.
Four horses were euthanized as a result of injuries in turf races from July 17-26.
Following the injury to Serious, Del Mar officials canceled turf racing from Aug. 1-3 and on Wednesday through Friday of this week. Turf racing resumes Saturday after the course was aerated and underwent extensive watering this week.
Smith said that a breeder has contacted him and owners Diana Lopez and Raul Sosa about breeding Serious, a filly by Flower Alley.
“She’ll be a good broodmare,” Smith said.
Smith said he has been discussing Serious’s condition with Rick Arthur, California’s equine medical director.
“We are keeping a close eye on her,” Arthur said Wednesday. “She is bright and alert. I have seen cases in my career in which horses recover from this injury.”