Take a Chance

Take a Chance was foaled in 2002 and is by the great sire Petionville.  Chance had 28 starts, 4 wins, 3 places and 3 shows and career earnings of nearly 120K.  At 3 years old he won the Derby Trial Stakes at Fairplex.

This 16.2 hand beautiful bay gelding suffered a displaced condylar fracture in his right front that ended his racing career and almost ended his life. He was literally seconds away from euthanasia when someone at the track pleaded for the chance to save him.

A series of phone calls were made, and ultimately The Exceller Fund was asked to help. But the task was daunting, $1,500 was needed to secure the surgery and a very short time frame was given.

Again, a number of the "Fans of Barbaro" stepped up, and the money was raised in time. Perhaps coincidence or perhaps destiny, but Chance's life was saved on May 12th, Exceller's birthday, and the majority of the money was raised on Mother's Day!

After spending almost a year in rehab at Tranquility Farm in June 2008 Take a Chance was transferred to a stable in Hesperia, CA to receive some basic training under saddle. His x-rays showed the fracture has healed beautifully, and he is sound and ready for just about any flat discipline. The vet feels that Chance has an excellent prognosis for a full recovery for any career other than jumping.

The adoption of Take a Chance is a joint venture between Neigh Savers and the Exceller Fund.

UPDATE: September 2008 - Take A Chance exhibited symptoms of colic and did not respond to initial treatment. He was taken to an equine hospital for exam and treatment. His condition deteriorated and his prognosis for a quality of life was poor. After consultation with the attending vet, the decision was made to end his suffering.  Many people came together to try to save this horse after his initial breakdown and everyone who knew him loved him and wanted him to recover and have a long and quality life.  He had beaten death once before when he was already in the blue room and seconds away from a lethal injection but could not do it a second time.  We can only take solace in the fact that Chance was loved and exceptionally well cared for in his final year of life and will be greatly missed by all of his connections.