Santa Anita: John Johny Jak has colic surgery

John Johny Jak, winner of two minor stakes earlier this year, is recovering from recent colic surgery and will be sidelined until the summer, trainer Kristin Mulhall said.

The illness was diagnosed after Mulhall exercised John Johny Jak at Hollywood Park on Dec. 23. He was rushed to a local equine hospital later that morning, where he underwent surgery.

“They expect a full recovery,” she said, conveying the opinion of veterinarians. “He’ll probably get at least three months. Fortunately, he’s still with us.”

Owned by Rustin and Juliana Kretz, John Johny Jak has won 8 of 24 starts and $299,799. Earlier this year, he won the Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar and the Lure Stakes at Santa Anita.

Always a Princess breeding plans

Always a Princess, winner of two Grade 2 stakes earlier this year, will be bred to Medgalia d’Oro in 2012, owner Arnold Zetcher said.

The 4-year-old filly suffered a sesamoid injury in the stretch of the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes on March 12 and later underwent successful surgery to stabilize the injury. Zetcher said that veterinarians have given approval for Always a Princess to be bred.

“The vets have cleared everything for breeding,” he said.

Always a Princess won 5 of 10 starts and $516,048.

Zetcher said that Midnight Interlude, winner of the Santa Anita Derby in April, is nearing a return to training following a fourth in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Derby on turf here in October.

“He’ll be ready in about six weeks or two months,” Zetcher said.

Amazombie points to Palos Verdes

Amazombie, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs last month, is on schedule for his 2012 debut in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes over six furlongs on Jan. 21. On Tuesday, Amazombie worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds, his third workout since returning to training in early December.

“We pulled his shoes after Kentucky for 30 days,” trainer and co-owner Bill Spawr said. “We jogged him for another week and then put the shoes back on.”