John Henry Decision Made Before His Exam, Vet Says

The veterinarian who examined John Henry last week said that Sam Rubin, the owner of the 11-year-old gelding, had made up his mind to return the horse to training even before the examination was completed.

“Barring a disaster, Mr. Rubin was determined to send the horse back to California,” said Robert Copelan, a Lexington, Ky., veterinarian. “I feel that he had made the decision even before I saw the horse.”

Despite his age and the fact that he hasn’t run in a race since late 1984, John Henry will be shipped from Lexington to trainer Ron McAnally’s barn at Hollywood Park, probably later this week. The objective is to run John Henry in the Aug. 31 Arlington Million.

Generally, there has been bewilderment among the racing community that John Henry would be returned to the track. But Rubin said the horse was not happy during his short-lived retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Copelan said John Henry was in “perfect physical condition,” but he questioned whether the horse can regain the form that led to two Horse-of-the-Year titles and a record $6.5 million in purses.

“I would be amazed,” Copelan said, “if he comes back and wins at the level he used to run at. It will hinge on the desire and enthusiasm that the horse shows.”

According to Copelan, John Henry doesn’t show his age.

“He has a youthful countenance about him,” Copelan said. “He looks like a mature horse, but to look at him, you wouldn’t think that he’s an 11-year-old.”