Pure Clan Sent to Rood & Riddle for Exam

Turf star Pure Clan was sent to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington on the morning of May 6 with a possible foot injury while preparing for her seasonal debut at Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Holthus said.

Lewis Lakin's 5-year-old standout mare was scheduled for a routine five-furlong workout but wanted no part of it, Holthus said.

“She didn’t want to work,” he said. “There is possibly something wrong with her left front foot and we are going to try to get her in today at Rood & Riddle.”

Pure Clan has not raced since finishing second in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) last November at Santa Anita.

“She bruised the bottom of her feet when she was turned out, just like last year,” Holthus said. “Physically, she has filled out a lot.”

Holthus was plotting a 2010 campaign similar to that of 2009. Pure Clan began last year by finishing second in the Early Times Mint Julep (gr. IIIT) at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course June 6 and concluded with her second Breeders’ Cup run. She was placed ninth in the 2008 Filly & Mare Turf.

“If she runs five times and as good as she did last year, I’ll be happy,” said Holthus, who counts the daughter of Pure Prize--Gather The Clan, by General Assembly, among the best horses he has trained, along with Proper Reality and Lawyer Ron.

In three seasons of racing, Pure Clan has compiled a record of 8-4-3 in 16 starts with earnings of $1,987,498. Included in that record are grade I victories in the American Oaks Invitational and Flower Bowl and three graded stakes triumphs at Churchill Downs.