(from Monmouth Park)
John Petrini’s Joey P., who underwent emergency surgery to correct a twisted intestine on June 18, will return to Monmouth Park to resume training early next week, trainer Ben Perkins Jr. said Aug. 8.
“He’s doing great, and he’s looking terrific, so it’s time for him to come back,” Perkins said. Joey P. is expected back in the barn on either Aug. 10 or 11, he added.
One of the most popular horses ever to run at Monmouth, the 7-year-old Joey P. was scheduled to be shipped to Charles Town on June 18, where he was looking to go over the $1 million mark in earnings with a repeat victory in the Charles Town Invitational Dash.
However, just before he was to be put on a van, Joey P. suddenly showed signs of severe distress. He was shipped immediately to the Mid Atlantic Clinic in Ringoes, N.J., where he underwent surgery for the twisted intestine.
Joey P. was sent to Black Oak Farm in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., to recuperate and has made a complete comeback, Perkins said.
“The main thing we have to find out is how the incision has healed,” Perkins said. “When he comes back to the barn, we’ll put the tack on, walk him around the shedrow, and see how the tack affects the incision.
“We’ll let him tell us how to go from there,” Perkins said. “His progress will be a day-to-day thing.”
Joey P. a New Jersey-bred son of Close Up--Luckey Lipco, by Luckey Jin Beau, has won 16 of 35 lifetime races and $973,472. In 24 starts at Monmouth, the gelding has a 13-5-1 record.