Rachel Alexandra's condition continues to improve - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Rachel Alexandra's condition continues to improve

Posted: Updated:
  • SPORTS

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:10 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:10:31 GMT
    University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Head Coach John Calipari will be the honorary Ford Fusion pace car driver for Kentucky Speedway's June 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400. Coach Cal will
    University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Head Coach John Calipari will be the honorary Ford Fusion pace car driver for Kentucky Speedway's June 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:40:19 GMT
    Jay Bruce ended Jason Grilli's saves streak with a solo homer in the ninth, and Brandon Phillips singled with the bases loaded in the 13th inning on Wednesday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1
    Jay Bruce ended Jason Grilli's saves streak with a solo homer in the ninth, and Brandon Phillips singled with the bases loaded in the 13th inning on Wednesday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:33:41 GMT
    Former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is returning to the team as a consultant. Jazz President Randy Rigby announced the hire Wednesday evening on 1280 The Zone radio network. Rigby says the Hall of
    Former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is returning to the team as a consultant.

Rachel Alexandra continues to make "better than expected" progress from abdominal surgery.

Vital signs are normal for the 2009 Horse of the Year, whose trademark spirit has also returned judging from the occasional nip at her handlers. Rachel Alexandra is grazing and being hand walked several times a day, and veterinarians are pleased with her progress.

She underwent surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Feb. 13 after developing foaling complications from delivering a 140-pound filly by Bernardini. A section of small colon that lost blood and formed bacteria during foaling was removed.

Rachel Alexandra has steadily improved since then. Intravenous fluids and nutrition were removed on Saturday after her appetite returned.

Rood & Riddle veterinarian Bonnie Barr credits the champion mare's strong will and intelligence for her recovery.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)