Multiple graded stakes winner Spirit of Makena underwent surgery for an injury the horse sustained in his left front fetlock during the running of the Aug. 23 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.
Trainer George Papaprodromou reported on the social media platform X that the 7-year-old exited his surgery earlier this week and "is recovering well."
Prior to the start of the Pat O'Brien, Spirit of Makena had broken through the starting gate early but was examined and given clearance to race by the Del Mar veterinarians. Reloaded into the gate, he tracked the early pace in fifth before dislodging rider Mirco Demuro by the three-furlong marker. Immediately after the race, Spirit of Makena was apprehended and vanned off for evaluation while Demuro was transported to the local hospital.
According to Del Mar publicity, Demuro took off his mounts Sunday and is expected to ride the track's Thursday card.
Bred by the late Bruce Chandler and raced by his spouse Kristine, Spirit of Makena has bankrolled $372,600 from 12 career starts. The son of Ghostzapper enjoyed his greatest success as a 5-year-old in 2023, where he captured back-to-back graded stakes victories in the San Carlos Stakes (G3) and Triple Bend Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. Coming back from an 18-month layoff in the March 29 San Carlos, he finished third to Pilot Commander in his best finish in four starts this year.
