Structor back in training after surgery for 'airway problem'

In a Facetime conversation hosted by the Breeders’ Cup Wednesday evening, trainer Chad Brown shared that 2019 Juvenile Turf winner Structor suffered an “airway problem” that required surgery earlier this year. The colt is back in light training at Stonestreet Training & Rehabilitation Center near Ocala, Fla.

Brown noted the development with racing television personalities Britney Eurton and Nick Luck on the new weekly series “Breeders’ Cup Cocktails and Conversations” streamed live on social media. After a winter freshening, undefeated Structor had been working toward a possible switch to dirt in the Feb. 29 Fountain of Youth (G2) for his season debut when those plans were scrapped.

“So Structor had an airway problem we needed surgery on -- that was the problem and why we had to stop on him,” said Brown, the four-time defending Eclipse Award winner as top trainer. “It’s been done and he’s back training at Stonestreet in Ocala and he seems to be doing better. Those things are a little tricky because some horses come back really good and other ones it’s more challenging for them."

Owned by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, Structor is perfect in three starts. The son of Palace Malice won on debut at Saratoga on Aug. 31 and came back to take the Pilgrim Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park, both on grass, prior to a three-quarter length score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

In the immediate aftermath of the Breeders' Cup, Brown identified Structor as a colt destined for dirt and a try at the 2020 Kentucky Derby. Given the race's postponement until Sept. 5, he still may have time to test that trail, or he sizes up as a candidate for the New York Racing Association's "Turf Trinity" series of lucrative races this season on grass.

Out of the More than Ready mare Miss Always Ready, Structor was an $850,000 auction purchase at last year’s OBS March 2-year-olds in training sale. He was trading at 60-1 in the William Hill Kentucky Derby future book earlier this week.