Woody Stephens Undergoes Surgery for Fractured Hip

Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens, whose horses won a record five consecutive Belmont Stakes, underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a fractured hip, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Stephens, 78, a Kentucky native who also won the Kentucky Derby twice, was in critical condition in the intensive care unit of Norton Hospital in Louisville, but was “awake and talking,” hospital spokeswoman Pam Greer-Ullrich said.

Doctors expect Stephens to remain in intensive care for a few days, the spokeswoman said.

Stephens was born in Stanton, Ky., and grew up in Midway, Ky. He won the Kentucky Derby in 1974 with Cannonade and in 1984 with Swale.

The only trainer to win five Belmonts in a row, he reached the winners’ circle with Conquistador Cielo in 1982, Caveat in 1983, Swale in 1984, Creme Fraiche in 1985 and Danzig Connection in 1986.