Page 26 - November 2005 The Game

26 The Game, November 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Dr. Dubro Zerajic - A Vet Who Pin-Points the Problem:
Woodbine Stakes Recaps
By Peter Gross
Anyone who has owned or trained a thoroughbred understands the one prevailing truism of the sport and that is the horse is always sore somewhere. The search is ever constant for an equine doctor who can ease the runner's pain. For many, Dr. Dubro Zerajic is the answer.
Zerajic's presence alone is enough to lift spirits. The 68 year-old Croatian born horse lover has a perpetually impish smile that radiates through his beard and he speaks with a strong and animated European accent.
"I am not acupuncturist," he emphasizes, "I am vet who has learned acupuncture."
And it is the Chinese art of sticking needles that Zerajic has mastered. A veterinarian since the 60s, he had dabbled in acupuncture but wished to learn more about it. In 1978 he travelled to Japan and learned the art from a racetrack vet there named Dr. Kirisawa (deceased). Since then, Zerajic's work with horses has created a word of mouth that keeps him constantly in demand.
Woodbine trainer Sandy McPherson has had a 14-year relationship with Zerajic and endorses the needle work emphatically.
"I'm an absolutely firm believer in acupuncture," testifies McPherson, "I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe it would be beneficial."
The Game visited Zerajic at Woodbine in early September and watched him work on Ma Peche, a 5 year-old mare who has been competitive in non-- winners of three at the $12,500 claiming level. Zerajic strokes the flank of the horse as she stands calmly and patiently.
"I see the depression in the muscle," he says, "This muscle fibre is cramped. This is why they don't respond properly. This could be torn muscle. This could be cramped muscle. This muscle doesn't work properly."
Zerajic knows that taking care of the back end of a horse can help get her front end ahead of the others,
"One of the crucial points of the racehorse is the lumbar parts," he lectures with his hand on Ma Peche's hindquarters, "The sacroiliac parts, you know, this is one of the biggest stress horses have."
Zerajic takes out a series of slender stainless steel surgical needles, each about 5 inches long. When his fingers are satisfied he has found the right place, he makes a quick lunging motion with his hand, and the needle is embedded about halfway into Ma Peche's flesh. The mare barely seems to notice.
"We are combining two medicines," he explains as he works, "Western chemistry with drugs and Eastern physical chemistry. In many areas like muscle congestion and muscle spasm, when acupuncture stimulation is superior to anything a drug could do, I will combine the techniques. I give them muscle relaxers and I do acupuncture and I get better results."
Of course, one wonders, how the heck does he know where to put the needles? Apparently this is a lot like real estate - location, location location!
"I know from 35 years experience," says Zerajic, "I know basically where I will start. Each point of the bone tells me exactly what is the anatomical structure underneath and where I am going."
The Doctor attaches clips to two of the needles protruding from Ma Peche. The clips have wires that extend to a small machine, the size of a deck of cards nestled in Zerajic's hand.
"This is a nine volt battery on this small instrument that will last me three to five years. That's how little the current is. What actually we are doing is relaxing muscles to improve circulation in the muscles. The
Dr. Dubravko (Dubro) Zerajic performs acupuncture therapy on one of trainer Darren Glennon’s horses at Woodbine.
capillaries open, blood comes in takes garbage out, bring oxygen in so muscle can work and develop strength."
The enormous muscle at the top of Ma Peche's back left leg is now pulsing from the faint electric current. Zerajic is waiting for the muscle to assume a meatier, softer presentation, but he insists he can't perform magic on a horse.
"People always ask me treat my horse - I want to win a race," he says, " I cannot do these things. If horse is beaten by 48 lengths and I improve it by ten lengths, he still is beaten by 38," Zerajic's face has lit up with the logic of his own humour.
"I always tell people on a bad horse you cannot afford me; on a good horse, you cannot afford not to have me. If I can improve a good horse two or three lengths he can make money, but a slow horse is always a slow horse."
Many fine Canadian horses have benefited from Zerajic's touch. He worked on Glorious Song, Horse of the Year in Canada and North American Filly Champion in 1980. On September 9th, shortly after a relaxing session with Zerajic, Frank DiGuilio's Dave the Knave won the Kenora Stakes for trainer Robert Tiller.
After about twenty minutes, Ma Peche's treatment is over. Dr. Zerajic is pleased, but more importantly, so is the trainer.
"You can see this filly here - she's lengthened out," observes McPherson, "She'll start licking her lips. She'll start sighing because she feels better."
When I asked Zerajic where he gets his needles, I got a most interesting response.
"I make them myself," he said matter-of-factly.
Years ago, when it became harder and more expensive to order the needles from Japan, Zerajic found a dental company that makes braces.
"I told them what wire I wanted, what gauge and how flexible it should be. This wire is half a millimetre wide and is very elastic and doesn't break. I get the rods and I cut them 5 inches long and I make a kink at the end so I don't lose them and I sharpen them at one end on a grinder."
Zerajic also describes a professional and hygienic manner of sterilizing his needles in an autoclave, which employs steam under pressure.
At 68, it seems that Dubro Zerajic is working more because he loves it than because he needs to. He claims no special powers, though there is one magic aspect to his endeavours. Although the needles are only applied to the horses, it seems that after a treat- ment, not only does the animal
feel better, but so do the trainer and owner.
Saturday, October 1 - Sunday, October 23, 2005
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Mazarine Breeders’ Cup Stakes Gr3 - 2 yr-old fillies $270,400
Winner: Knights Templar
Owner: Clover IV Stables & Krista Seltzer
Trainer: Daniel Vella
Jockey: Jim McAleney
Breeder: Brylynn Farm Inc. in FL
Pedigree: Exploit - Religiosity, by Irish Tower
Sunday, October 2, 2005
Sky Classic Handicap Gr2 - 3 yr-old & up
$329,300
Winner: A Bit O’Gold
Owner: The Two Bit Racing Stable
Trainer: Catherine Day Phillips
Jockey: Jono Jones
Breeder: Beclawat Stable in ON
Pedigree: Gold Fever - Annasan, by Corporate Report
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Victorian Queen Stakes - 2 yr-old fillies
$125,400
Winner: Perigee Girl
Owner: Harlequin Ranches, Park Stud & D. Morgan Firestone Trainer: Reade Baker
Jockey: Jim McAleney
Breeder: Michael Byrne in ON
Pedigree: Perigee Moon - Xlendi Girl, by Tralos
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Mt. Sassafras Stakes - 3 yr-old & up
$81,000
Winner: Mister Coop
Owner: RMC Stable
Trainer: Daniel Vella
Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
Breeder: Huntington Stud Farm & RMC Stable in ON Pedigree: Great Gladiator - Big Bux Babe, by Briartic
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Carotene Stakes - 3 yr-old fillies TURF
$163,200
Winner: Invitational
Owner: Cudney Stables & Kingview Farms
Trainer: Catherine Day Phillips
Jockey: Jono Jones
Breeder: Kingview Farms & Rob Cudney in ON
Pedigree: Peaks and Valleys - Stutz Classic, by Regal Classic
Sunday, October 9, 2005 Ontario Derby - 3 yr-olds $164,550
Winner: Palladio
Owner: Haras Santa Maria de Araras Trainer: Roger Attfield
Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos
Breeder: Haras Santa Maria de Araras in FL Pedigree: Lycius - Gioia, by Mari’s Book
Monday, October 10, 2005
Classy N Smart Stakes - 3 yr-old & up fillies & mares $125,000
Winner: Schooner Bay
Owner: Melnyk Racing Stables Inc
Trainer: David Bell
Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
Breeder: Eugene Melnyk in ON
Pedigree: Archers Bay - Nabatina, by Time for a Change
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