Multiple graded stakes winner Banned underwent surgery Sept. 24 and reportedly came out of it well.
Craig Bernick, owner of the 3-year-old Kitten's Joy colt said Sept. 25 through Twitter the surgery went well and that Banned is “back in his stall and doing well. We’re hoping he continues to be a good patient.”
Banned required surgery to repair a pair of broken sesamoids in his right ankle, injuries suffered after a routine half-mile work at Santa Anita Park Sept. 22. Bernick, who races Banned under his grandfather Leonard Lavin’s Glen Hill Farm banner, earlier said the surgery would be performed if there was enough blood flow to the ankle.
Banned’s trainer, Tom Proctor, said the surgery was performed at Santa Anita.
Banned has won three graded stakes in 2011—the May 6 American Turf (gr. IIT) and June 18 Jefferson Cup (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs, and Sept. 4 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) in his most recent start. He has a 5-1-2 record from 10 career starts and earnings of $599,476.
Fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT) last year, Banned was purchased by Bernick for $130,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2009 fall yearling sale. His breeder, Ken Ramsey, consigned the colt.