Wise Dan gallops six furlongs at Keeneland

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Much to the excitement of trainer Charlie LoPresti, two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan had his first day back to galloping Friday when going about six furlongs over the training track at Keeneland.

Sidelined since last fall due to an ankle injury that did not require surgery, Wise Dan has been back in light training for about a month.

“We’ve been jogging him for 30 days, and for the next 30 days, we’ll be alternating between jogging and galloping every other day,” LoPresti said from Keeneland. “I’m very excited, but the biggest thing for me is what’s right for the horse. If he comes back 100 percent, we’ll run him, and if not, he’ll be retired. Let’s see how we get through this next stage of his training.”

Wise Dan, an 8-year-old gelding, has not raced since winning the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland last October. Bred and owned by Morton Fink, he has won 23 of 31 starts for earnings of $7,552,920. He was voted Horse of the Year in 2012 and 2013.