Haskell Winner Paynter Showing Improvement

The condition of Zayat Stables’ Paynter , who suffered a recurrence of an illness that kept him out of the Travers Stakes (gr. I), was improved the morning of Aug. 29, according to noted veterinarian Mark Cheney.

Paynter, who has been suffering from a fever and severe diarrhea, was sent to a clinic near Saratoga, where he was diagnosed as having an inflamed colon.

“We got better news today,” Cheney said Aug. 29. “I was very excited about the slight improvement he’s shown, and he appears to be feeling better. His blood tests have also improved and that’s a huge move in the right direction. Everything else seems to be OK. Any improvement is encouraging and we just hope it keeps going. His ultrasound looks good, so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed.”

Paynter, who won the Haskell Invitational (gr. I), had been shipped from Mid-Atlantic Equine Hospital in Ringoes, N.J., to Belmont Park, where he remained until he was sent to Saratoga Race Course. He was about to ship back to trainer Bob Baffert’s barn at Del Mar when he became ill again with the same symptoms.