Trot Insider has learned that trainer Brian Eckenstein is recovering in hospital after emergency surgery to repair a torn coronary artery

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"Brian spent 11 hours in surgery on Thursday (February 11). During surgery he was given 11 units of blood after surgery that increased to 13," stated Eckenstein's daughter Brianna, who reports that her father is valiantly fighting through despite some very slim odds of surviving such a medical predicament.

"The doctor said 90 per cent of people die instantly and the 10 per cent that survive die within the next hour," said Brianna. "The 90 per cent of that 10 per cent die within the next four hours, the 90 per cent of that 10 per cent don't make that. That puts his odds of living at 0.01 per cent.

"The worst part he survived, but we're all praying he makes it through."

Brian Eckenstein had just 38 starts as a trainer in 2009, but was a winner in 11 outings and banked over $57,000 thanks to the exploits of Ingot Of Desire and El Miss Aces, who won a $24,000 division of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grass Roots at Flamboro this past September two starts after being purchased from the SC Summer Sizzler Mixed Sale for the rather modest price tag of $4,000.

"He is a dedicated horsemen and has a heart of gold. My dad's main reason to live is his horses," continued Brianna. "One of the last things dad said to my mom was, 'Debbie, make sure you and Brianna get Ella ready to go and entered for the stake races.' So, Dad, we pray you are successful and while you recover we are going to continue your dream."

Today, Eckenstein faces more surgery.

"Saturday morning they will sew him back up; they needed to break his ribs to do the surgery so his ribs will be tied together with wire. All of this happened just from picking up a horse's leg."

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing a safe, speedy and full recovery to Brian Eckenstein.