Horse’s injury serious

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The injury that kept I Want Revenge out of the Kentucky Derby will keep him from racing for months and threaten his career if he doesn’t respond well to therapy, the horse’s veterinarian said Tuesday.

Foster Northrop said swelling in I Want Revenge’s right front ankle progressed over the weekend, and an ultrasound and MRI showed ligament damage.

“Part of the prognosis is determined by the horse’s response to therapy, but this is a serious injury, and depending on his progress, could be career-threatening,” Northrop said.

Northrop commended the horse’s owners and trainer for making an agonizing decision Saturday morning, just hours before the Derby, to pull the 3-year-old colt out of the race.

Northrop said the decision may have saved the colt’s life.

“It was a gigantic move,” Northrop said.