Trainer Anette Lorentzon told harnessracing.com earlier this week that rookie pacer Book Babe, who paced a swift 1:52.4 mile in Ontario Sires Stakes action on Monday has suffered a broken sesamoid bone in her left hind leg.
"She might have had something going on before, we just don't know when it really happened,” said Lorentzon, who noted that the daughter of Shadow Play was lame on Tuesday morning. "They came and x-rayed her, and it was confirmed."
Book Babe was purchased by Ohio-based trainer Brian Stephens at the 2012 Lexington Select Yearling Sale for $13,000 and had impressively qualified prior to her OSS debut at Hoosier Park in 1:56.2.
"She was so large [Monday] night and raced super," continued Lorentzon. "I feel terrible for the owner, who bought her and trained her down. I feel so bad for him...He was right at the track (Lebanon Raceway) and just a great guy, so I feel so sorry for him and his family.”
Book Babe will undergo surgery at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. but her future is clearly uncertain.
"It will take some time but they will try to bring her back,” said Lorentzon. "You never know, but that's what they are hoping for.”