PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom won’t need surgery for a stress fracture in his left hind leg that is causing him to miss the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 31.
The injury is expected to heal after 30 days of rest in his stall and 60 days of being walked by hand.
That’s according to Dr. Dean Richardson, the veterinarian who confirmed the injury. Richardson was involved in the care of Barbaro, who broke down in the 2006 Preakness Stakes and was later euthanized.
Barry Irwin, head of Team Valor International which owns Animal Kingdom, says the goal is to race the horse for another year, and hopefully run in the 2013 Dubai World Cup, but a decision won’t be made until September.
