Zayat Stables' Paynter , winner of the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, has suffered a recurrence of the illness that kept him out of the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes (gr. I).
The son of Awesome Again has been under consideration for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 22, but his status for any upcoming races is undetermined at this point.
Paynter had been sent to a New Jersey clinic the first time he contracted his illness following the Haskell, and this time has been sent to a clinic located about 10 minutes from Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York, according to owner Ahmed Zayat.
Zayat said Paynter has been experiencing the same symptoms he did in his initial illness.
"He came down with a fever and is suffering from diarrhea," Zayat said Aug. 28. "His fever is now normal, and they are giving him a lot of fluids."
Zayat also posted on Twitter, "He is a special horse. He's a very tough animal."
Trainer Bob Baffert said Paynter had been very sick at Monmouth Park, with severe diarrhea, which prompted them to send him to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in central New Jersey to be administered fluids and antiobiotics. He was then sent to Belmont Park to recuperate before shipping up to Saratoga.
Prior to his victory in the Haskell, Paynter led throughout the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and was just caught at the wire by Union Rags , losing by a neck.
