Barbaro ~ America's Horse

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks, Alex~
Update 595: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). I saw Michael Matz as I was on my way to the woodchip track for my third set. He had heard from Dr. Richardson, who has now returned from his vacation.

Mondays are usually a little chaotic at the track, many horses have had the sunday off and are pretty “fresh”. Given the weather we had saturday, quite a few horses will have had two days off. This monday did include a loose horse early on the woodchip track. I cannot name the rider, she said she would not speak to me again if I did, but all was well.

Barclay Tagg (who must be in town just for the day) caught the horse by the gap (it was not one of his). I asked Barclay again about Funny Cide, he said they had him thoroughly checked over and he seems fine.

I also caught up with Graham Motion, and asked him for a job. His immediate response “What happened ?” I then mentioned I just wanted to go with Better Talk Now to the Melbourne Cup. I tried to convince him that he really needs someone on his team with Melbourne Cup experience (I know where the closest bar to the paddock is located etc.) He smiled. It seems they will make a decision in the next couple of days about running, there are a few things they need to sort through before a decision to run can be made. It will certainly be a very sporting venture if they do go.
update 8:20 am, september 4

[VirginiaBred]

Update 596: Returning to Fair Hill, I had three more to ride after the break. Two of which were nicely uneventful, one of which was intent to try to remove me from the saddle (rearing, leaping and lunging). Fortunately luck prevailed, although I had to apologise for some colourful language. Tim breezed Red Aspen and Gator Nation after the break on the woodchips. Tim was on Red Aspen and Jesus Bracho (Fair Hill’s resident jockey) was on Gator Nation. The 5/8ths breeze seemed to go well for all concerned.

Perhaps slightly off topic (perhaps not), but it seems the animal world lost a real hero and advocate, Steve Irwin: A Huge Loss to the Animal World. One of you had recently written to Steve about the Wild Animal Sanctuary closure in Colorado: The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado is being forced to close it’s doors. Lets hope Steve’s tremendous legacy continues!
Thanks, Alex…

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks Tim/Alex:
Update 597: Another comfortable day for Barbaro. Just spoke to Peter Brette who had heard from Michael Matz, who visited Bobby this afternoon.

[VirginiaBred]

Tuesday Morning! Thanks Alex…

Update 599: Another comfortable night for Barbaro (monday night). Michael Matz told me as I was just pulling up on Chappy after galloping 1 3/8 mile in my second set. Michael had heard from Dr. Richardson as usual. It’s a little bit rainy this morning but it’s actually quite pleasant to ride.
updated tuesday 7:10am

Update 598: Another visit to Lost in the Fog has been posted to the discussion board: A Visit with Lost in the Fog, this was a visit from Saturday. The Bring out your best Barbaro tribute contest closes at 2 pm today. Thanks to all those who have submitted entries thus far.

The Jacksons and the managing partner for the ownership group of Funny Cide will be in Washington today: Time and Location Change for Whitfield Press Conference on H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. The presser notes the conference is 11 pm today, I assume 11 am, but when i called to check yesterday they were on holiday! ShellyA is also in DC for this: INFORMATION FROM DC.
I had been meaning to repost Sabina’s link, it includes a couple of additional pictures of Barbaro, and more importantly, a link to this site!

Dan Hendricks is pointing the blame for Brother Derek’s fourth last weekend squarely on his own shoulders: Hendricks: Derek wasn’t quite fit. I guess I can see what he means. When a horse breezes so easily it means they have obvious talent, but if they are not being pushed then they are not always getting too much out of those breezes. Also, I have now added a link to the site’s FAQ to the left.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 601: New Bolton’s release: Barbaro continues to do well:

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to please veterinarians with his progress after his most recent right hind leg cast change last week. “Barbaro is wearing the new cast satisfactorily,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “We continue to monitor him closely, and depending on how he progresses, we may change it again within the next two weeks.”
The colt’s left hind foot, which has laminitis, continues to improve gradually, according to Dr. Richardson. The bandage on this foot is changed daily.
“Barbaro’s appetite is great, and we take him out each day to hand graze him,” said Dr. Richardson. “His vital signs remain normal, and he seems very happy.”
Barbaro is in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered at the Preakness on May 20.
The next update will be posted on Tuesday, September 12 unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.

Update 600: Just spoke to Barclay Tagg, he worked Showing Up this morning as scheduled, on the inner turf, no dogs (i.e. on the rail). He went in 1:01.1 and was very pleased with the work. This will be his last work before the Man o’ War on saturday.
New Bolton Center are releasing a Barbaro update today, that should be available shortly.
Its raining hard here now, training hours were cut short!

[tradewind]

thanks for all the continued updates VB…things seem to be on a good trend with Barbaro…

[system]

Thank you for sharing the updates VB, I read them every morning.

I was looking at some entries for a contest on Tim’s site, has anyone seen this video? Thought I would share just incase.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xaqnb_barbaro-video-diary-update

There is two videos but this one says it all.

[Kenike]

I was wondering if Steve Irwin’s death would make the boards, given he was a champion for wildlife & animals in general. So sad!

I’m so glad that Bobby continues to do well. I light a candle for him each day and continue to be encouraged by the reports that VB s tirelessly provides us (via TWR, of course). It brightens my day just that much more

[VirginiaBred]

Update 602: Edgar Prado continued his winning ways by winning the riding title at Saratoga, and in doing so beating out probably the second (Gomez) and third (Velasquez) leading riders in the country: Prado edges Gomez to win third Saratoga riding title. Now Edgar, time to pay a quick visit!
Other jockeys in the news include Victor Espinoza: Debutante Win Gives Espinoza Del Mar Record, Joe Bravo: Joe Bravo Wins Six Races at Monmouth and Kieran Fallon: Fallon Withdraws Attempt to Ride in Breeders’ Cup.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 603: Just spoke to Kathy Anderson, she visited Barbaro about 4:30 pm this afternoon. She was happy with Bobby, she had not been able to visit for a few days and was pleased with what she observed. He seemed bright and alert in his stall, which she said was quite warm (that being a positive thing since we are having decidedly wet fall weather right now)! Thanks, Alex!

[BasqueMom]

More candles needed–was just down to 1,000. Lit 1/2 dozen–let’s get
those numbers back up, gang!

[VirginiaBred]

Wednesday~ Thanks Alex:

Update 605: Saw Michael Matz going on to the woodchip track for my first set this morning. He let me know that for the next few days he’ll have to provide me evening reports from his visit with Barbaro the night before as Dr. Richardson is away at a seminar for a few days. Michael’s evening report from last night (tuesday) is that Bobby was comfortable and all remains well. He visited about 8pm.

For whatever reason, I forgot one of my gloves this morning…my left hand glove. This is the hand that holds on to everything (neck strap, mane, and reins). So this might be a problem! But we survived the first set intact. And now about to get on Chappy. I will endeavour to post a report on Barbaro later today as I am able.
updated wednesday 6:55am

Update 604: Kennett Florist’s report of their NBC visit yesterday (timestamp 1:03pm):

So glad to be back today!! There was so much to catch up with that I never got a chance to post until late tonight. It was so nice to be back at NBC today. (Good grief, what will I do when Barbaro goes home?) We welcomed everyone back from their long weekend with pizza and salad for lunch. Everyone expressed their gratitude for your kindness. We brought up a big basket of carrots and pears for the big guy! I can imagine he was wondering where his usual daily delivery of green tops was… “OK, I get that they don’t deliver on Sundays, but what’s with this long weekend thing?” All kidding aside, when I asked about Barbaro, I was told that he had a really good weekend.
Alie went back up later with a special delivery for a special friend, some apples, carrots and treats for the blood donor horses, and some other treats for the two legged beasts. I got to make a trip to Fair Hill, with goodies for Michael Matz, Peter, Alex, Tim and Dr Anderson.
Again, thank you all for everything you do… the candles, prayers, tributes, poems, jokes, etc. It truly is nice to be HOME!
WE BELIEVE!!

Having bolted out of Fair Hill early yesterday (drenched) I am now excited to return!
Miraculous Miss is back in the entries, 11th race at Delaware Park on saturday. It has been a long road to get her back after the Acorn gate incident. I will be going over to Delaware Park, it is a great days racing altogether saturday.

Bluegrass Cat is adapting to his new life on a farm: Bluegrass Cat adapts to life off the track, relevant excerpt:

The son of Storm Cat (the Kentucky Derby runner-up and winner of $1.8 million) was happily bedded down in his new home, munching hay, when I paid a visit this past week.
He turned to the door and seemed happy to see people. No doubt the transition from Todd Pletcher’s busy racing stable to being the only horse inside the barn during the day has taken some adjusting on Bluegrass Cat’s part.
He’ll get 30 days in the stall while healing begins on the non-displaced fracture of his right hind pastern. He will not need surgery.
After the stall rest will come 30 days of walking for exercise. For now, he’s wearing a thick bandage wrapped around his leg to protect the fracture.

Finally one day to go for the anti horse-slaughter bill. We will have a vigil tonight, 7 pm (east coast time) for the passing of the bill.
A list has been compiled of those not on board with the bill: List of Reps that are NOT for the bill.

And we have this lovely poem: My Poem and Plea for HR503:

Help me find the words, Dear Lord, to reach the heart of man
That each will hear this message and will clearly understand.
To some, it may be humble prayer for those who can not pray
To others, a voice of wisdom that can end unspoken pain.
Each and every person bears a gift to stop this crime
All were born and living just to be here at this time.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’ve stood before
An open heart is all you need to close this fateful door.
Time is of the essence lest another thousand fall
In excruciating slaughter, born of greed and hidden gall.
Captive bolt and bleeding while the others watch in fear
Sold for wealthy foreign appetites, when will Our Country hear?
America’s companion who has carried her so far
Across the plains in covered wagons, homestead bound, to farm.
Express mail was a pony, through rain, through sleet, through snow
Throughout this nation’s history are hoof prints leading home.
The cowboy’s friend and livelyhood, his song beneath the stars
All the pretty horses prance through childhood dreams and hearts.
The bloodhorse is bred and trained to bear our triple crown
An artist gift is born where mare and foal are bedded down.
Please let these words and images move each of us to stand!
It is our duty and our right as stewards in this Land.
Call and write your congressmen on HR503
Let the USA shine proud again from sea to shining sea.

[msj]

Thanks for the updates VB. I cry every time I see the shots of Barbaro at the Preakness! Then I rejoice when I see pics of him with Edgar and Michael and the rest of the recovering pictures.

OK folks, the candles are REALLY low - 865. Time to light quite a few!

The bloody board is so slow lately( :sigh: ) I can’t always make it in 3 times/day to check. Wasn’t able to make it in last night so I’m glad to see he’s doing well.

[ivy62]

I just lit say 6 candles, come on guys let’s not let him down now we are only in the backstretch the homestretch is a ways a way! ( does that make sense!)
VB again thanks for all the updates. Watching Bobby graze is amazing to me now I am being greedy and want to see him in the fields romping and frolicing on his own!!!

[I_m_EBO]

905 candles, with my herd’s contributions, and from 5 countries. Go BB.

[carol_okc]

Just for so, is there any way to split this thread archivally? At currently 110 pages, and the huge view count, this is putting quite a load on the server. As often as not, I time out, so I’m presuming the software has to serially process all the previous messages in the thread to get to the last page (hmm… I’m used to a DBMS that supports a reverse-read, but I don’t think SQL allows that).

Sorry for the tech interjection, but it might lessen the server load and speed response for everyone.

[slpeders]

Candles are up to 914 for Bobby, 600-some for Foggy.
Lit a couple for my mom/dad while I was out there too.

[VirginiaBred]

It loads quickly for me on all three computers I use. Wonder if it’s your connection?

[VirginiaBred]

I really don’t want this thread split. I made a committment to Barbaro and the COTH community to do this, and I want to see it through until he is out of the hospital. It’s that important to me, and to all of you.

Thank you, everyone of you, for making a difference in this wonderful horse’s life.

[Gunnar]

I am off to light candles for the big boy!

Go Bobby go!:sadsmile: