Page McKenney on road back for 2017
Page McKenney this week will begin a new phase in his recovery from a tendon injury as he has been shipped from trainer Mary Eppler’s Pimlico barn to Nor Mar Farm in northern Maryland.
A rags-to-riches claim by owner Adam Staple in July 2013, Page McKenney would have been favored in the $300,000 Pimlico Special on May 20 but was scratched the morning of the race when Eppler discovered slight filling in a tendon. For the past three months, his exercise has been limited to being hand-walked.
Page McKenney, a 6-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding and one of the most popular horses racing in the Mid-Atlantic region, was given three ultrasound shock-therapy treatments over a six-week period to promote healing in the tendon. Last Friday, Eppler was pleased with the results of an ultrasound imaging procedure.
“It looked like nothing had ever been wrong with him,” Eppler said.
Page McKenney is scheduled to remain at Nor Mar Farm for about two months. He will build up his stamina by using the facility’s aquatred, which will allow him to exercise while keeping pressure off his legs.
The video below shows Nor Mar Farm's aquatred facility.
“I think Page is happy to get going,” Eppler said. “He was getting bored.”
Page McKenney likely will rejoin Eppler’s stable in October and is expected to resume his career in 2017.
“Once he gets back to me, it will probably take some time for him to get his fitness back,” Eppler said.
Staple claimed Page McKenney for $16,000 out of a non-winners-of-two race at Penn National. Page McKenney has since won 15 races and $1.38 million. He has finished third or better in 24 consecutive starts dating to April 2014.
Prior to being injured, Page McKenney was off to an excellent start this year, with wins in the Grade 3 General George and Native Dancer at Laurel Park and a second-place finish in the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic.