Rachel Alexandra remained in serious condition at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Feb. 15, following surgery to repair a section of her small colon injured when she foaled a filly three days earlier. However, the 2009 Horse of the Year has shown some signs of progress and earned the praise of attending veterinarians on her case.
Dr. Bonnie Barr, an equine internal medicine specialist, and Dr. Brett Woodie, a veterinary surgeon, are supervising the treatment of the champion mare. They reported that Rachel Alexandra's vital signs remain normal and she was brighter, more alert, and demonstrating an improved attitude on Friday afternoon compared to the previous day.
"She looks better today," said owner Barbara Banke. "Rachel is a determined fighter. It makes me feel better that she was happy to have a mint. I want to thank all her fans for their incredible devotion to Rachel. Your thoughts mean so much right now."
Stonestreet Farms sent a photo out via Twitter Feb. 15 of Banke feeding the 2009 Blackberry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner a mint.
Rachel Alexandra's foal, a filly by Bernardini , continues to do well. She has adjusted well to her nurse mare and enjoyed paddock turnout Feb. 15 at Stonestreet Farm near Lexington, it was reported. Rachel Alexandra was admitted into Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Feb. 13, one day after delivering the 140-pound filly.
A 7-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro , Rachel Alexandra underwent exploratory abdominal surgery to determine the cause of excess fluid in her abdominal cavity denoting an infection. A damaged section of her small colon was then repaired and infection was treated in a long and technically-demanding procedure.
This is the second foal for Rachel Alexandra, who received treatment for pain at Rood & Riddle following the birth of her Curlin colt Jess's Dream last year.
