Tests reveal Super Saver has bruised cannon bones

Tests performed on Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver at the Rood and Riddle equine clinic in Kentucky have revealed condylar bruising that will sideline the WinStar Farm-owned son of Maria’s Mon.

Since his Derby win, Super Saver has finished eighth in the Preakness, fourth in the Haskell Invitational, and 10th in the Travers.

Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle performed a bone scan that revealed the injury.

“A bone scan revealed marked activity in all four cannon bones,” said Bramlage. “The left front fetlock has the most radiographic change with a major bruise on the cannon bone. Once these are resolved, the horse should return to his previous form.”

Super Saver gave trainer Todd Pletcher his first Kentucky Derby win this spring.

“This explains a lot to me,” Pletcher said. “I couldn’t understand those last few efforts where Super Saver didn’t extend and lay it out there like he had in every other race he ran through the Kentucky Derby victory.

“He has always been very gutsy and determined in his races, even when he set fast fractions, so this answers a lot of head scratching.”

Super Saver is currently at WinStar Farm, where his progress will be monitored.