Update 707: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (saturday night). I went to Fair Hill and to Michael Matz’s barn to get the update. He had heard from Dr. Richardson.
A lovely poem from Bobby J.: Message of Encouragement From Bobby.
update sunday, september 24, 8 am
Thanks to Tim/Alex~
VB Thanks for the updates! 
Glad to be back. Talk about withdrawal. I really missed the updates there.
Candles are getting low again. I checked in last night when I got home but couldn’t wait for the bb to open a reply to the thread (dang slow board:(:(:() and they were above 1000 but now they are below 900. I light until the top 2 rows are lit or at least 10. Hope a few others can get some lit.
Lit some for me and for most of my herd.
msj, glad you’re back!
Do any of y’all contribute to the Candle site? Should we? I feel kind of guilty using it in the volume I do, and was wondering if I were the only one who felt this way.
Excellent articles in from Alex:
Update 710: Here is the Orlando Sentinal article: Barbaro’s Big Breakthrough: Although his survival remains in doubt, the Derby champ’s injury (and recovery) leaves promising legacy for his fellow thoroughbreds. I was interviewed for this article, so was excited to see it going to press today. The article is another great read (much like those in Update 709), but of course I have to highlight where I am quoted and this site is referenced:
“You think of athletes as holding out for contracts; they’re getting [in trouble] for positive drug tests. Athletes don’t necessarily have the best [reputation],” says Alex Brown, an exercise rider at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. “And here’s a horse that just did his best, he was brilliant, he just goes home at night and eats some hay and then he breaks his leg in front of a national audience.”
Ever since the Preakness, Brown has kept the world updated on Barbaro’s condition with daily posts on timwoolleyracing.com. Tim Woolley has a stable at Fair Hill, and Barbaro trained for the Preakness nearby. The Web site had been around for a while, before anyone knew who Barbaro was. It used to get maybe five hits a day.
Now, thousands visit it daily. Brown receives information from the insiders – those such as Richardson and Michael Matz, Barbaro’s trainer – and he posts the news on the site, much to the appreciation of Barbaro lovers everywhere.
Update 709: I bought the Philadelphia Inquirer, thinking they may run the same Barbaro story that was written for the Orlando Sentinal (which I have not yet posted) and lo and behold, they wrote a couple of their own very cool articles: STANDING BY BARBARO and A happy horse could take six months to a year. Both Mike Jensen articles are fantastic, and you will learn a lot about Barbaro’s current condition (foot growth etc.) as well as insights into Mrs. Jackson. The following is an excerpt from the second article:
The cast on Barbaro’s right hind leg is mostly precautionary. All the signs are good on that front, but Richardson said, “There’s still no guarantee we can get his left hind foot to the point where he can be in a field and be a happy horse.”
The hoof is growing - about 18 millimeters in the heel area, Richardson estimated. “He’s got to go three times that, at least.”
If that took six months or longer, “we hope that his comfort and the stability of the foot improves during that interval,” Richardson said. “In other words, it’s not all or none. It’s a very gradual progressive thing, and the big problem is that we still need to get the bottom of his foot to completely heal. That’s a big deal.”
I got my copy of the Orlando Sentinel this morning and read the article about Barbaro before I headed to the barn to feed. I was so excited to see a full page devoted to Barbaro, and to recognize your name and the other names mentioned! Hurrah for the Sentinel for actually doing a decent equine article! I will definitely have to write a letter to them!
While reading the Mike Jensen article STANDING BY BARBARO, I had a big smile when I read about Mrs. Jackson sprinkling the holy water from Lourdes on Barbaro’s leg! 
Candles are still a bit low. I got them back up to 1000 but they were going out as fast as I’d light them. 
Update 711: Congratulations to Better Talk Now and all his connections: Better Talk Now outduels challengers for Sky Classic victory. In typical Better Talk Now style, he dropped back, and came with a late run, and won by a head. I just spoke to Adrian Rolls, Graham Motion’s assistant, who gave me the quick update. It appears they are no longer considering the Melbourne Cup (according to the article) but it is nice to see Graham proved correct in his assessment that Better Talk Now is as good as ever.
I just spoke to Peter Brette, no later update today on Barbaro. He had not heard anything, which he assumes is a good thing.
Thanks, Alex!
Excellent Point
Good point. :yes: Barbaro and Foggy candle lighters probably represent 75% of their posts in the last couple of months. What percentage of donors does this represent?
Religious or not religious, the idea of lighting a candle as a marker for benevolence, remembrance or concern is a wonderful tradition and custom. :yes:
We should sincerely consider that this site did not just fall out of the sky.
Monday Morning~
Still no update as of 7:58am…
Thanks Tim/Alex:
Update 712: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). I saw Michael Matz while I was on my second set, jogging Chappy two miles on the dirt. Michael had heard from Dr. Richardson. Michael was on Messaging standing by the clockers stand when i passed him, he was talking to Barclay Tagg. I asked Barclay if they had finalized plans for Showing Up’s next race, not yet was the answer. I wonder if he saw George Washington’s win!
I also saw Graham Motion, and congratulated him on Better Talk Now’s victory. It seems he will now not go for the Melbourne Cup. Its possible he may run again in Canada, but is now returning to Fair Hill. Graham thought the pace did not really suite Better Talk Now, and he really did run a great race.
Another poignant poem: Four Hundred Horses.
Great interview between Alex Brown & Edgar Prado! Thank you Alex!!!
Update 713: I just interviewed Edgar Prado, the interview appears below. I had called up his agent last week to confirm Edgar was coming down to visit Barbaro. I had mentioned to his agent during the call that I would really like to interview Edgar. He asked me to call back in a few days. So I chose today, when I knew there was no racing at Belmont.
When I called back (after I got off my last horse this morning) I was not expecting to be past on directly to Edgar to begin the interview. So I was in my truck, interviewing Edgar over my cell phone, looking for scraps of paper to make notes. Once the interview was complete, I told Edgar I would call back in 45 minutes, so he could hear the interview before I published it. When I called his agent back, Edgar had left, but his agent gave me Edgar’s cell number to call. I did, and after I read back the interview Edgar asked me when I was next coming to Belmont. So likely I will go up for the Jockey Club, and meet with him in person. Very cool. and of course, here is the interview:
Alex: What were your first impressions of Barbaro?
Edgar: I first rode him in the Tropical Park Derby. I was very impressed with the way he handled himself on the track, and when he came back after the race he was not even blowing, he could not even blow out a match. I had not ridden a horse with such a turn of foot since Kitten’s Joy, a really nice turf horse.
Alex: At what point did you realize you were going to win the Kentucky Derby?
Edgar: Before the race: I was very comfortable after he won his races on the dirt, and I could tell he still had room to improve. I was very confident he was training so well coming up to the Derby, he was handling the racetrack so well, and his pre-Derby breeze (under Peter Brette) was exceptional.
Edgar: During the race: Between the 3/8ths pole and 5/16ths. He was going so easily, I had not asked him, and he was going so well. I really did not need to urge him too much, I did not use the stick, a nice hand ride.
Alex: How does Barbaro compare to others you have ridden?
He could run on any track and any kind of surface. I could put him anywhere I wanted (in a race). He had acceleration that was incredible. He was only a three year old and was just developing. He had the right to be one of the best horses to ever run a race.
Alex: Why do you continue to visit Barbaro?
I like him very much. He gave me the biggest thrill of my life in the Derby. The courage he is currently displaying in his recovery just shows how special this horse is. A horse like this does not come around too often, I am honored to have been part of his story, he is very special.
Anyone know if a book is in the works about Barbaro and the fans, etc.?
Update 716: I spoke too soon. Peter just called (8:20 pm) and he had heard from Michael who had visited Barbaro earlier this afternoon. All was well.
Update 715: No later update today for Barbaro, which is not unusual.
The Thoroughbred Times has a story on the status of the anti-horse slaughter bill in the senate: Vote on horse slaughter bill may be delayed until next year. Keep up your great work, each person’s effort makes an impact.
Tuesday Morning~ Thanks, Alex:
Update 718: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (monday night). I saw Michael Matz as I was going to the track on my second set on Chappy. He had heard from Dr. Richardson.
While it was a bit of a chilly start to the day, it’s absolutely gorgeous now as the sun is coming up. I am now heading to the woodchip track to gallop Chappy. We only have two more weeks to ride on the woodchips as we then begin the switch over to the Tapeta surface. As I am walking on to the track, I also asked Adrian Rolls if Better Talk Now was back from his Canadian exploits. He said he had arrived back in Fair Hill last night and all is well.
updated tuesday 7:20am
Update 717: We have a couple of quick reports, the first from a visit to Fair Hill this past weekend, and the second, a meeting with Mr Aleo (Lost in the Fog day at Golden Gate Fields is Saturday September 30, I believe it will be covered by HRTV).
Racing also returns to ESPN on saturday, so hopefully we will hear from Jeannine. The major race in Europe this weekend is the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. Sue McMullen will hopefully keep us updated with this marquee race. And finally, Discreet Cat also runs on sunday: Discreet Cat vs. Bernardini unlikely to happen.
I’m always so glad to hear about ‘another comfortable night’!
VB, can you explain what the Tapeta surface is? Wood chips I’m very familar with as I have that in my outdoor riding ring and love it to death because it’s not slippery, provides a really springy footing and never dusty !
I’m off to light some candles for Bobby. See y’all later!
From Alex:
Update 719: Just a quick FYI, New Bolton has a scheduled Barbaro update to release for today, but it may be released later this afternoon. I was chatting to them on another matter this morning and this is what I learned.
Awesome New Bolton Update!!!
Barbaro’s progress pleases veterinarians
September 26, 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Veterinarians at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital continue to be pleased with the medical progress of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who remains in stable condition at the hospital. “The left hind hoof on Barbaro has grown about 18 millimeters in the heel area,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “It has to grow at least three times that, which could take more than six months. It’s a very gradual process; the bottom of his foot has to completely heal as well.”
Barbaro continues to be comfortable in his right hind leg cast, so there are no immediate plans to change it. “As always, we monitor his comfort very closely, and we will likely change the cast within the next two weeks,” said Dr. Richardson. “Barbaro’s vital signs continue to be excellent, as is his appetite. He definitely enjoys his daily excursions outside to walk and graze.” Barbaro spends about 30 to 40 minutes outside every day, depending on the weather.
Barbaro remains 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, October 3, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.
wonderful update VB! thank you. going to go light a few candles now.
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