Recovered EQUINE Aspen Leaf,

Article: Trainer injured, horse missing after Thanksgiving eve accident in Kentucky
Kentucky-based trainer John Enlow was seriously injured on Wednesday evening en route to Turfway Park when the two-horse bumper pull trailer he was towing behind his Chevrolet Suburban blew a tire on Interstate 75 near Sadieville in Central Kentucky, ultimately sending him to the hospital and ejecting from the trailer the filly Aspen Leaf, who remains missing on Saturday evening.

Posted on thoroughbredtimes.com at: 11/27/2004 5:52:00 PM

The trailer careened off the road and flipped several times, launching Enlow clear of both vehicles. Aspen Leaf, a three-year-old Indiana-bred daughter of Ago out of Dear by Lear, by Lear Fan, was thrown from the trailer when the top came unhinged during the accident, which occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. EST. 

Enlow, who suffered a broken arm and several vertebrae in the accident, was transporting Aspen Leaf from owner Kathryn Cowan’s Aspen Dell Farm in Paris, Kentucky, to Turfway Park, in Northern Kentucky where she was to continue her racing career after recovering from arthroscopic surgery to her left ankle. The winner of one race in ten starts in two seasons, Aspen Leaf has not started since finishing seventh of 12 in an allowance race at Indiana Downs on May 21. 

Enlow is recuperating from his injuries at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington and doing well, according to Cowan. 

"John is more worried about the horse than anything else," said Cowan. "He keeps asking about her. I have driven through the backwoods of America looking for this horse (Aspen Leaf) and hope maybe she’s grazing in some farmer’s field near Sadieville, and just has yet to be discovered—it is very rural out there." 

Cowan said that Aspen Leaf galloped away from the incident unhurt, based upon reports she received from members of the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, who were first on the scene of the accident. 

A search and rescue team with the Scott County Police Department looked for the filly on Thursday, Thanksgiving day, and the Sadieville Police Department remains on the lookout, according to Cowan, but have been unable to locate the filly. No officer from either police department was available to discuss the accident on Saturday afternoon. 

"No reports as of yet," Cowan said. "It’s bizarre that she would just disappear like that, though." 

Bred by Swifty Farms Inc., Aspen Leaf is a 16-hand dark bay or brown filly with no identifying white markings, according to Cowan. She may be wearing a leather halter without a nameplate. She is a cribber, not shod, and has some scar tissue on the left ankle as a result of the surgery. 

"I just want to get her back," Cowan said. "It’s just one big mystery at the moment." Aspen Leaf, whom Cowan bought from her breeder for $4,500 at the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale, is not insured, Cowan said. Anyone with information about the filly should contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Department at 502-863-7855 or Cowan via e-mail at aspendellfarm@earthlink.net.—Mary Marshall 

...Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so---
'twas Heaven here with you.
Isla Paschal Richardson

Aspen Leaf Has Been Found

From: Aspendell Farm 
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 11:13 PM
Subject: Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaf was found late this afternoon, Thurs. 12/9. She was found thanks to the diligent tracking of jockey James (Jamie) Bruin, an old friend of John Enlow. Unfortunately Aspen did not survive her ordeal. She found her way off of the interstate after successfully dodging traffic on both the south and north bound lanes of I-75 after being ejected from the wreck on Thanksgiving Eve.. Her final resting place was in a densely forested area of Cedar trees not far off the north bound side of the interstate close to the accident site. It is unclear at this point how long she survived after the accident or what was the cause of death. We only hope that it was swift and painless. We regret that she died alone but find comfort in the knowledge that she had a very good life and was well loved.

I would like to thank all the very kind people that helped in the search for Aspen. WLEX channel 18 news in Lexington, The Scott County Sheriff and Fire Departments, concerned citizens around Georgetown/Sadieville that called with many good search ideas, all the kind people that sent emails with words of support and encouragement, my vet Dr. Berkley Chessen, my dear new friend Johanna Nicole that put up flyers everywhere and was HUGE support to me, The Georgetown News-Graphic newspaper, Mary Marshall at The Thoroughbred Times who put the story on the TBT website, my father Jack Cowan who manned the "command post" and last but not least...... James Bruin who showed up quietly and searched using the tracking skills that he used as a child to hunt down missing ponies on his family's farm and surrounding areas. James declined the reward and asked it to be given to John Enlow to aid in his recovery. Thank you Jamie, you are a real class act. I am extremely touched by the kindness of everyone.

Lastly, I am most grateful that John is going to make a full recovery. He is recuperating at home with his wonderful family in Indiana. Although he is deeply saddened about Aspen, he too wants to thank everyone for their efforts, love and prayers for him and the recovery of Aspen.
Katy Cowan