Wise Dan has uneventful night following surgery

Two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan spent an uneventful night at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., after undergoing emergency colic surgery Friday morning.

"He is great," trainer Charlie LoPresti said Saturday morning.

Wise Dan showed signs of discomfort following a routine gallop Friday morning at Keeneland, prompting his trainer to send the 7-year-old gelding to Rood and Riddle. He underwent surgery to repair a twist in his small intestine. The procedure was relatively uncomplicated, with no resection required; and the problem was caught before it could progress to the point of additional complications, such as a compromised blood supply

Plans called for Wise Dan to remain in the clinic for a few days - a critical time period following any type of colic surgery - before going home to continue his recuperation. He was to begin receiving small amounts of food on Saturday.

Barring complications with his long-term recovery, Wise Dan could resume light training in six to eight weeks, with this issue not necessarily career-ending.

Wise Dan has won 21 of 29 career starts, including back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, earning $6,802,920. He began this season with two Grade 1 victories, scoring in the Maker’s 46 Mile on April 11 at Keeneland before winning the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Wise Dan was honored as Horse of the Year, champion older male, and champion turf male for both 2012 and 2013.