Geaux Rocket Ride isn’t recovering as hoped after surgery

Geaux Rocket Ride "isn't recovering as we hoped" after surgery Sunday for a condylar fracture to his right front leg, according to his owner.

The injury occurred during a Saturday-morning work at Santa Anita ahead of the Breeders' Cup Classic, in which he had been pre-entered.

Pin Oak Stud, owner of the 3-year-old colt, said in a social-media post that Geaux Rocket Ride had "an unexpected response to the surgery. … He appears to be in no pain and is eating. Our boy is still fighting hard so we will keep fighting for him. Under Dr. Carpenter’s recommendation, he is moving to another facility better equipped to handle his post-op recovery."

The surgery was performed by Dr. Ryan Carpenter. Michelle Yu of TVG reported that it was conducted in the on-track clinic at Santa Anita and that he was returned to the barn of trainer Richard Mandella.

Geaux Rocket Ride, a son of Candy Ride, earned an automatic bid to the Breeders' Cup Classic with a neck victory in the Grade 1 Haskell on July 22. In his most recent start at Del Mar on Sept. 2, he finished second by a neck by Arabian Knight in the Awesome Again (G1). Purchased for $350,000 as a yearling, his record is 5: 3-2-0 with earnings of $980,200.