Barbaro ~ America's Horse

[scotchie]

HOTY

I am keeping my fingers crossed for Horse of the Year, too. I am hoping that those that vote take a real hard look at the true definition of HOTY-is it simply money earned? Most important races won? Well, Bobby can’t win those. BUT, if it (as it should be in ALL “… of the Year” awards) looks at who did the MOST for the sport, embodies the SPIRIT of the sport, FOUGHT an uphill battle, made HUGE positive steps for future competitors and was a truly OUTSTANDING competitor, well, Bobby is the one. He has brought more interst into the sport than ever imagined-sadly, through a tragedy. BUT he (and his team) have brough humanity and personality into what can sometimes be deemed a comodity sport, where the athletes aren’t viewed as individuals (by non horse poeple, that is!). I hope they are all recognized for their heart.

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks, Tim/Alex:

Update 529: My morning galloping was a little messed up in terms of horses to ride, so Tim put me on three extra, which turned out to be quite cool. The first was Randy’s Bullet, who I had not ridden for a long time. We went out back and jogged the hills (the ground really needs the rain) and I met a fox on my way home. The second was Gator Nation. Some of you wondered if he was OK, since he was scratched from a race at Laurel. Yes, he’s in great form, galloped a mile and a half and went very well. The reason for the scratch ? He was on the “also eligible” list, thus not in the main body of the race. He did not draw in (no scratches) and was thus a scratch himself. Finally I rode Something Wild, galloped him a mile, and he went well. As he was training Michael Matz and Peter Brette had Round Pond out training (we were all on the dirt track). She surely is a good looking filly, and is getting ready to run very soon.
More coverage on Lost in the Fog: Lost in the Fog undergoing treatment to shrink tumors, which includes the following:

“He’s doing well. I was just giving him a handful of carrots a minute ago,” Gilchrist said from his barn at Golden Gate Fields on Thursday evening. "We are treating him to try to shrink the tumors he has.
“If we could do that, they would become operable, and then he would have a chance. We’ve gone to a little more drastic measures using a few drugs that we didn’t have before.”
Gilchrist said Lost in the Fog will undergo a sonogram in ten to 12 days to check on his progress. In the meantime, Lost in the Fog is living in his stall, eating, and walking twice a day, much like a normal horse.

[VirginiaBred]

Per Alex~
Update 530: Dave Wallace (Tom Albertrani’s assistant) just called and reported all systems are a go for Bernardini for tomorrow’s Travers. Bernardini did much the same today as he did yesterday, galloping a mile and a quarter after jogging back a half a mile and then jogging forward. While Dave does not gallop Bernardini he does gallop Balletto, their runner today in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign. He said she is doing well, acting like she did when she went into her last race (a close second in the Go For Wand). Its a small field, and Todd Pletcher’s horse (Fleet Indian) is the obvious concern and clear betting favourite.

[Glimmerglass]

Albany Times Union 8-25-06 “A midsummer dream dashed; Prado, others wonder what Barbaro could have become”

[ivy62]

I think it is wonderful that humans have stepped up to the plate for their equine friends… Wether it be Bobby or LITF it has got to be uplifting to see the measures that people are willing to go to. The more people that do this the more research and develpoment there will be and better medicine available to all…
That’s great news about LITF and Bobby of course…
Keep jingling…

[Ellsworth]

I haven’t posted here before but I’ve been reading these reports daily. First, of course, to find out how Barbaro is doing. But also, I love the little reports by V.B. on the daily events at the track. I have had no exposure to the racing world before and when I sitting here in my office in conjested So Cal, reading about riding out and seeing foxes etc…it all sounds so…uncorporate, so romantic, if you will. Also, the daily accounts, have made me less wary and more respectful of the horse racing industry.

You are a good ambassador, V.B.

[VirginiaBred]

Dr. Dean Richardson’s Pre-Birthday Bash

Update 531: Kennett Florist have just returned from NBC with this birthday report:

OK Gang, take a breath… We’re back from NBC!!
The “party” was a huge success! Dr R was very surprised to which he stated “it’s not my birthday”. We told him “today it is!” He was overwhelmed with the gifts, cards, flowers and all that had been sent. I am forwarding the pictures to Alex and he can hopefully post a couple.
We got there just before 11:30 to set everything up. We were in a more secluded area. We had the gifts and flowers laid out over two tables with the cakes and ice cream. The carrot cake from Bobby had two big carrots on the top, and the choc/vanilla cake had a picture of Bobby (from one of his first times out grazing) with green and blue trim on the white frosting.
Dr Sweeney had told Dr Richardson that they were going to have a meeting at 12:00 and she made sure we were ready when she went to meet him. She had notified a bunch of people so there would be plenty there to yell surprise. (Unfortunately, Mr and Mrs Jackson were unable to attend.) Dr Sweeney told us when she was going to get him and we lit the candles… He was very surprised. He blew out his candles and started to cut the cakes (the one thing he said he knew how to do). Dr Sweeney and Alie took over on cake duty and I dished out the ice cream so the man of honor could enjoy his cake and open some presents. He was overwhelmed by the gifts. Because of your contributions, we were able to get substantial gift certificates to two very nice restaurants here in town, theater tickets (gift certificate), three different golf course gift certificates that he can use either for greens times, the pro shop, or the restaurants, a packet of golf cart tickets for the golf course he belongs to, as well as a gift certificate to the pro shop at that same course. We also made up a very large gourmet basket of goodies; swiss chocolates, pastas and gourmet sauces, plates, glasses, napkins… the works. It even had a special box of note cards with a big brown bay on the front. We decked the place out with baloons (including one that sang Happy Birthday)! The triple crown arrangement was a huge hit… he really liked the idea of that. All in all it was absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this, you all have been so generous and sweet to talk to, email, etc.
And of course, Bobby had some baskets of carrots and his favorite treats! They called us this morning asking if we were bringing carrots, so we loaded the big guy up good!

Also, almost forgot… We made up a big “publisher’s clearinghouse” type check from the Barbaromaniacs, made out to UPenn Barbaro Fund in honor of Dr Richardson. Dr Sweeney presented him with the check that was made out for $3,851.00 to date. We let him know that others are donating on or closer to his birthday! You all are amazing!!!

WE BELIEVE!!!
Alie, Rachel and the gang at Kennett Florist

Congratulations to everyone who contributed, amazing.

[VirginiaBred]

Continued thanks to Alex/Tim~

Update 534: Just spoke to Peter. He had just spoken to Michael who visited Barbaro this afternoon. The report remains the same. Michael took Barbaro out for a walk.

It looks like Edgar will plan another visit to see Barbaro when he returns from Saratoga: One ride enough to impress Prado:

It is times like this when Prado really misses Barbaro, who had won all of his starts before the Preakness. Prado said he keeps in contact frequently with Michael Matz, the trainer of Barbaro, and with the colt’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson. Prado said when the Saratoga meet ends he plans to take another trip to the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., to visit Barbaro.
“I miss him overall because he was a special horse who ran good races,” Prado said. “Knowing that his life is in jeopardy, I’m always thinking of him and hope that he continues on the road to recovery.”

Update 533: Upenn’s thank you site includes more pictures of Dr. Richardson’s birthday celebrations: Thank You. It includes the following caption:

Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to the wonderful party celebrating Dr. Richardson’s birthday. He was truly touched and honored by the generosity of the Barbaromaniacs in making this a special occasion.

The “Barbaro Effect” continues, this time: Barbaro Injury Highlights Need for Laminitis Research Funding. The article concludes:

While Barbaro and his doctors wage battle against laminitis, hundreds of additional horses will be diagnosed with the disease each day. Funding laminitis research is vital to unraveling the unanswered questions about the disease and developing reliable preventative and therapeutic measures, for all of the equine population.

Finally, Discreet Cat got his US racing account underway. I had thought of highlighting him as a horse to follow going into today’s race, but we seem to already have a few to focus on. Anyway, Discreet Cat was an undefeated winner of the UAE Derby (Dubai) who has been in the US ever since. They have had a few niggling problems with him and finally got him to the races this afternoon at Saratoga: The Cat is Back; UAE Derby Winner Romps at Saratoga. He may well contend for year end honours in the three year old division.

Update 532: Dr. Richardson posted a thankyou note to everyone (timestamp: 7:55pm):

Kathy Freeborn at the admissions desk here at NBC told me that this website was the best place to respond to the truly extraordinary birthday that I was given today at noon! To all of you who gave to the Barbaro fund and to me personally, I am deeply grateful. I don’t claim to be a humble person (no one will argue that one too much!) but it is profoundly humbling and intimidating to be responsible for a patient that has this much love going his way. I am very grateful that there is so much concern out there for Barbaro (sorry, I cannot bring myself to call him Bobby…)and I assure you all that we all will continue to do our best for him. As you all know, he is a very special horse.
THANK YOU ALL.

[VirginiaBred]

Saturday from Alex~

Update 536: A moving tribute to 2005 Horse of the Year, St. Liam, by Melissa Harden (at my gentle request).

Update 535: Those closest to Barbaro are to receive some well deserved awards: National Turf Writers to Honor ‘Team Barbaro’ The following are excerpts:

“Team Barbaro” – the group of Barbaro himself, owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, trainer Michael Matz, assistant trainer and exercise rider Peter Brette and jockey Edgar Prado – will receive the Mr. Fitz Award during the 47th annual NTWA Awards Dinner on Nov. 1 at The Olmstead in Louisville, Ky.

and

Richardson and the New Bolton Center will receive the Joe Palmer Award, named for the former New York Herald Tribune turf writer and presented annually for meritorious service to racing.

Round Pond is now ready for her return on sunday: Round Pond back to races. The following is an excerpt:

“It’s always nice to have a horse of her quality,” Matz said. “She’s a real nice horse to be around, and she showed it last year in her 3-year-old season. John did a real nice job with her, and hopefully we can continue.”
Round Pond is 6 for 8 lifetime, including a win in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park last year.
Round Pond shows five workouts this summer, with two on wood chips, at the Fair Hills training center in Maryland.
“She’s come back good,” Matz said. “She’s had a long time in between races. We’re happy with the way she’s working. We’re happy with her feet right now, and hopefully that will continue.”

Today is of course a big day for three year olds, the Travers: Travers Analysis: Pletcher and the Accidental Rabbits, but lets not forget Graham Motion has Sweet Talker running on the undercard. Tim has gone up for the weekend, so hopefully he will provide some first hand reports. Today’s Barbaro morning update may be a little later this morning, just an FYI.

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks, Alex:

Update 537: Another comfortable night for Barbaro (friday night). Saw Michael Matz coming back from my second set this morning and he reported the good news.

Also, just a reminder that tonight will be another vigil at 7pm so wherever you are, whatever you’re doing…spare a few thoughts for Barbaro and the Fog.
updated saturday 8:20am

[eggbutt]

Simply amazing updates since Thursday afternoon! Thanks VB - you truly are an ambassador for racing for us neophytes! As others, my only exposure to racing has been watching the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup each year. Your updates do provide so much insight to the real world of racing.

I was thrilled to read the updates this morning about LITF! Super hard jingles are heading his way so that surgery will yet be an option for this courageous horse! I was reduced to tears reading how he was bouyed by being back with his groom. We humans DO make a difference!

[I_m_EBO]

Yeah, what eggbutt said.

Add my own thanks to VB, and, of course, to Alex and Tim.

[captain]

another greatful follower of all that is here. thank you!!

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks, Alex:

Update 538: Just spoke to Tim, who was in the National Museum of Horse Racing (Saratoga). Barbara Livingston was doing a book signing as we talked, and there are pictures of Barbaro for sale. Tim was able to get on the backside of the racetrack this morning thanks to another trainer. He said all was quiet and calm before the big day of racing. The main track closed early (9 am), and people were putting their final preparations in place. He was positioned close to Bernadini’s barn, but did not venture over in order to maintain their privacy. The weather should be good for racing, Tim said its a little cloudy, with intermittent showers, but pretty pleasant. He saw Steve Klesaris briefly last night, which reminds me, Master of Disaster (another Fair Hill trainee) is running in The King’s Bishop, the race prior to the Travers.

A couple of nice pre-Travers articles. The first: A midsummer dream dashed: Prado, others wonder what Barbaro could have become, includes the following excerpts:

“Like they say, faith is the last thing you want to lose,” Prado said Thursday. “The doctors had faith, and they continued to work real hard to make this happen. He’s become one of the most popular horses ever.”

and

“We always thought he was a great horse and who knows how good he could have been,” Barbaro trainer Michael Matz said from Maryland. "Unfortunately, we’ll never get the chance to see. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.
“But it would have been great to see them race. Bernardini looks like a real good horse and it just would have been great for the racing public.”
The racing public and the animal-loving public continue to heap affection on Barbaro as he continues his gallant struggle.
“I think there are thousands of people who have been keeping the faith for him,” Matz said. “The response, the outpouring, everything, and things are still coming in every day. Fruit baskets, signs, cards. It’s really unbelievable the support people have given.”

The second article: Bernardini? Bluegrass Cat? Travers will decide. The following is an excerpt:

As one of the most lightly raced Triple Crown race winners in modern times, Bernardini’s sensational 5 1/4-length Preakness score was overshadowed by Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s life-threatening breakdown 100 yards after the start.
“Understandably and deservedly so,” Jimmy Bell, president of Darley USA, said of the emphasis on Barbaro. “Barbaro was, and is, a very unique and gifted horse. … (Bernardini) has gone on about his business, and both horses are writing different scripts, and I think both are champions.”

[VirginiaBred]

Alex~

Update 539: Quick Fog update: Lost in the Fog Given ‘Reasonable Chance’. An excerpt:

The doctor treating sprint champion Lost in the Fog for cancerous tumors said Friday that the colt has “a reasonable chance” of reducing them to a size that’s conducive for chemotherapy or surgery.
Dr. Gary Magdesian, chief of equine medicine at University of California at Davis, said Friday that Lost in the Fog is being treated with Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid sometimes used in treating lymphoma.
“We want to see if (the tumors) will respond to the extent that they are reduced to a size that will make them amenable to surgery or chemotherapy,” Magdesian said

Steve Willard left me a voice mail. Giacomo is doing fine after his race in the Pacific Classic. He went back to the track a couple of days ago and is training lightly. They are training him lightly and will take it one day at a time and see how he goes. I’ll follow up with Steve in a week or so and see what their plans are. Just good to hear he is back to the track after the race.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 541: A sublime performance from Bernardini. Congratulations to Dave Wallace, Tom Albertrani and the rest of the crew, and thanks for providing us some insight coming up to this huge race.
Update 540: Just spoke to Peter (5:30 pm) and he had heard from Michael, Barbaro remains comfortable.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 542: The Bloodhorse are the first with a Travers race report: Bernardini Bounds Away in Travers, which includes the following excerpt:

Trainer Tom Albertrani said afterward that Bernardini would shoot for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 7 next. Looming, of course, is the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
Before a crowd of 40,785, Castellano drove Bernardini to the lead heading into the clubhouse turn when he appeared he might get trapped behind Todd Pletcher-trained entrants High Cotton, who led coming out of the gate, and Bluegrass Cat on the outside. That proved to be the winning move as Bernardini overtook High Cotton easily and set a realistic pace while Bluegrass Cat stalked.
That’s the way they ran until the head of the final turn when Bernardini responded to hand urging from Castellano to begin to pull away. Bluegrass Cat tried to stick but by the time the pair hit the top of the lane, it was clear that it was all over. Castellano gave Bernardini a light tap of the whip left-handed at the eighth pole but otherwise allowed his charge to run out.

I assume that light tap with the whip was when Bernardini swished his tail (as if to say, are you kidding me ?) It was very impressive. It is racings loss we were never able to see Barbaro and Bernardini compete. I am sure that is something both horses’ connections would have truly wanted to witness (and have been quoted as such). Two great horses, no matter who wins end of year honors. Of course Discreet Cat might make it three!

[ivy62]

VB… Great updates today! Incredible news about LITF!!! Keep jingling for him… Bobby is doing so well now but we need to keep the faith…There has been alot of talk about the surfaces of the tracks. Is there anything different now then years ago? Did as many horses breakdown before? As a side note it is not only racing that must check its footing if you remember the footing for the stadium jumping in the Olympics in Athens was thought to have caused multiple injuries like the one to Royal Kaliber he bowed a tendon…and subsequently euthanized after colicing… it is ALL footing that need to be monitored and checked…
Jingling in NY! Gotta go light some candles too…

[VirginiaBred]

Sunday morning:

No news yet this morning on Barbaro, but please do not become complacent with your candles, jingles and thoughts. We have consistantly kept the candles well above the 1,000 mark, but twice last week they were at 1001 and 1003. (I lit about 20 each day.)

With everything going better than expected, this is the time, more than ever, to keep Barbaro on “the front burner” in your thoughts and hearts and minds.

Team Barbaro has done such a superlative job all the way around, but this is when we are needed MOST!

[VirginiaBred]

Thank you Alex:

Update 543: Today’s Barbaro morning update will be delayed. I will try to have something by lunchtime, it was just hard to get started this morning!

Another lovely Tribute to Saint Liam, this one by Jessica Frank. We also have great news from Mike Rea, he has moved closer to Fair Hill: We’re Back!.

It was great racing yesterday, and a great show from ESPN which included pieces on Barbaro, Lost in the Fog, Saint Liam, as well as the recorded win of Discreet Cat from the day before.

Here are a couple more Travers reports: Bernardini seizes control and Bernardini streaks to impressive Travers score.