Spirit of Makena undergoes successful surgery

Spirit of Makena, who pulled up with a suspensory injury in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar last Saturday, underwent successful surgery earlier this week to stabilize the injured leg, trainer George Papaprodromou said.

Papaprodromou, however, warned that the next week is vital to Spirit of Makena’s recovery.

“Everything went well,” Papaprodromou said. “He’s here at the barn standing. It’s a matter of time. So far, so good.”

A two-time graded stakes winner in 2023, Spirit of Mekana broke through the gate before the start and was reloaded after a brief veterinary exam. Spirit of Makena was stricken about three furlongs into the race, unseating jockey Mirco Demuro, who took off his two mounts on Sunday.

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