Chip Off Crutches

[PrivateSmiles]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53085/woolley-sheds-crutches-after-eight-months?id=53085&source=rss

Woolley Sheds Crutches After Eight Months

Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 3:53 PM
(from Santa Anita stable notes)

For the first time in eight months, Chip Woolley Jr. was walking on his own two feet Oct. 22. The trainer of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird had been navigating with the aid of crutches since breaking his right leg in a motorcycle accident in El Paso, Texas. But on a sun-filled morning at Santa Anita's Clockers’ Corner, the 45-year-old New Mexico native was limping along without support.

“I actually started walking without them yesterday afternoon,” said Woolley, who is preparing Mine That Bird for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) at Oak Tree on Nov. 7. “It was eight months yesterday since I had the crutches. I’m happy to be rid of them. The doc called me yesterday afternoon and told me I could start walking.

“I’d sent him my X-rays last week. He told me he wanted me to start walking on the leg to stimulate the bone a little more. I think eventually I’ll be without a limp. The accident wasn’t a big wreck. It just broke my leg. I didn’t have another scratch on me or anything. It didn’t even hurt me, other than breaking my leg.

“I’ll have to have another surgery done on it later, and I’ll probably end up back on crutches for a while, but that’s OK.”

Meanwhile, Mine That Bird continues to progress towards the 1 1/4-mile Classic following his sixth-place finish in the Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) on Oct. 10. The gelded son of Birdstone is scheduled to work five furlongs on Pro-Ride Monday.

“The horse is doing super,” Woolley said. “He’s really lookin’ good.”

[Kermit]

“He’s really lookin’ good.”

For that to be true, seems to me he will have to add about 50-80 lbs on.

[PrivateSmiles]

“He’s really lookin’ good.”

For that to be true, seems to me he will have to add about 50-80 lbs on.

Do you think his small frame could support that much more weight? Wouldn't that put an unnecessary burden on his bones & joints?

[Barley]

that good to hear

[Classy]

“He’s really lookin’ good.”

For that to be true, seems to me he will have to add about 50-80 lbs on.

Hey Kermit, I hope you are saying the horse is gaining about 50-80 pounds

[Kermit]

Hey Kermit, I hope you are saying the horse is gaining about 50-80 pounds <img src="/images/chat/Emoticon11.gif">

I was just trying to get VinceP the mount!

[Kermit]

Do you think his small frame could support that much more weight? Wouldn't that put an unnecessary burden on his bones & joints?

Don't know - he just never looks 100% right to me. Anyway I hope he does well.

[Classy]

Do you think he is not correct ? If I remember right I think Chip may have said that he wasn't. He is small but there are a few that where. humm I do understand what your saying Kermit.

[Syncopate]

Those crutches should go to the Derby Museum !

[PrivateSmiles]

Do you think he is not correct ? If I remember right I think Chip may have said that he wasn't. He is small but there are a few that where. humm I do understand what your saying Kermit.

He's crooked (the horse, not the trainer). That's what Chip said.