Bodemeister to rehab at WinStar

Leading 3-year-old Bodemeister was sent to WinStar Farm in Versailles, KY late Wednesday to be evaluated by a team of specialists that includes Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.

Bodemeister had been in training at Del Mar with his conditioner Bob Baffert, who hasn’t been satisfied with the colt’s overall progression in the last 30 days.

“Bob wasn’t happy with the way Bodemeister was training, so Mr. Zayat, Bob and myself all talked it over and agreed it would be best to bring him to the farm to get him right,” said Elliott Walden, President & CEO of WinStar Farm. “We felt that the network of local veterinarians and specialists, along with our facilities, gives Bodemeister the best environment to diagnose the issue and provide for the quickest recovery possible.”

WinStar Farm has rehabilitated several top racehorses in recent years, including champion Uncle Mo who returned to score a smashing win in last year’s Kelso H. (G2) at Belmont after rehabbing at WinStar.

Owner Ahmed Zayat said: “Bode is all heart, and we are confident in WinStar and their team to get him back to his old self again.”

The heralded runner-up in this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1), Bodemeister is regarded as one of the fastest 3-year-olds in the country. His biggest win to date came in the form of a  runaway, 9 1/2-length victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1).  The son of Empire Maker has current earnings of $1,304,800.