Cavonnier Rallies To Win

December 26, 1998 Cavonnier, a footnote in Kentucky Derby lore, earned a whole chapter in horse racing’s veterinary history when he rallied to win at Santa Anita in Arcadia in his first race in 2 years. The one-length victory in the $81,225 Ack Ack Stakes culminated an on-again, off-again comeback for the gelding, who was pulled up with a right-front-tendon injury in the Belmont Stakes on June 8, 1996. It was an emotional return to the Santa Anita winner’s circle for the team of jockey Chris McCarron, trainer Bob Babbert and breeder-owners Robert and Barbara Walter, for whom Cavonnier won the ’96 Santa Anita Derby. Cavonnier finished fourth in the Preakness before getting hurt in the Belmont. The injury was expected to end his career. However, the Walters, who live with their horses on a ranch near Santa Rosa, spent money and patience on an experimental treatment for Cavonnier’s bowed tendon. A drug with the abbreviated name BAPN-F, injected by UC Davis veterinarian Carol Gillis, allowed the tendon to heal with its elasticity intact.

This horse was on an Aquatred program at the owner’s ranch at Sebastapoul, California.

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