Barbaro ~ America's Horse

[ivy62]

This horse renews my faith in some racehorse owners and in medicine. The old way of broken leg horse must die is not necesarily true now. and Bobby has proven that. He tells us he is happy and comfy, I hope, and still goes on. Sometimes things get worse before they get better…so do not give up! There are many different opinions on how laminitis is to be treated and hopefully they are open to ALL suggestions not just the ones of comventional medicine…
Keep on jingling and lighting candles…

Thanks for all your updates VB where would we be without you…here here…raise the glasses…

[VirginiaBred]

Monday Morning~

Update 753: The Barbaro update this morning will again be sometime after 8 am.
Just a quick FYI. We had some very exciting racing yesterday. Here’s a review of the Belmont race: Discreet Cat Wins Jerome Under Wraps (OK, so this race was not exciting, but it did include one exciting horse). The review does include the following:

“We’ll keep our options open for the Breeders’ Cup or Cigar Mile,” bin Suroor added. “This horse has the class to run in big group I races. Everything we’ve asked, he’s done so easily. That gives us a lot of confidence for the future. We’ll probably give it 10 days, and then decide with Sheikh Mohammed (bin Rashid al Maktoum).”

So perhaps there is a small chance of seeing Discreet Cat in the Breeders’ Cup.
The racing from Longchamp was terrific, Sue McMullen provided us a great review (update 751). Here are a couple of other reviews: Rail Link Gives Fabre Seventh Arc Victory and LINK DERAILS ARC RIVALS.

Thanks, Tim/Alex.

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks Alex!
Update 753: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). I saw Michael Matz on our third set. He had heard from Dr. Richardson. It is another beautiful morning this morning at Fair Hill. A little crisp, but a lovely clear sky for the sunrise. The morning for me thus far has been uneventful, but a guy did fall off right in front of me as I was pulling up after my first set. He managed to keep a hold of his horse, which was a good thing, she was a filly, I was on a colt, it could have been ugly. All seemed ok from the fall.
update, 8:15 am, monday morning october 2

[msj]

The updates are great. Thanks again VB! The candles are looking good, over 1100 but no reason to short change them!

[VirginiaBred]

Thanks to Alex!
Update 757: Just spoke to Peter Brette (6 pm). As far as he is aware, all remains well with Barbaro. He did note Michael was on his way over to see him after the races at Delaware (they had a second in the stake).

I also spoke briefly with Steve Willard, Giacomo’s exercise rider. Giacomo breezed yesterday, his final work coming up to the Goodwood on saturday (Lava Man Ready to Glow in Goodwood BC). Steve said Giacomo worked well (although Art, another exercise rider actually rode Giacomo in the work). Today he had a day off (usual after a work) and looks good, eating well. Tomorrow he will jog either a mile or two miles, and be back to galloping on wednesday. I’ll catch up with Steve again then.
Much discussion here and on the discussion boards has centered around horse slaughter and rescue issues. MSNBC’s week in pictures features a very poignant image of a horse that survived a crash in MO, the horses were in transit for slaughter (image is slide 12).
Update 756: A few interesting posts in the comments today.
The first, from Eddie Kilroy, timestamp: 11:30 am:

Let me introduce myself. I do the morning show On XM satellte Radio channell 13, or 811 if you ahve Direct TV. I haven’t posted before but reall look forward to the updates on the “Big Guy”. Dee Mullins was kind to post my horse “Chief” when he was in PN. Tim Parente did a tie back with super success. And thanks to Staci Hancock for arranging through Gretchen for my wife and I to meet Barbaro. That was a special moment. I trust we all have the dedication to reach out to our respective Senators to shut down the slaughter houses.

The second, from Cate Kane, timestamp 4:22 pm:

On Saturday, four friends and I visited Fair Hill.I feel like I have spent time in another world - what a great place! It was awesome to see and feel so much horsepower assembled in Tim’s barn. The horses themselves are magnificent. It was fun to see those who were formerly just names to me. Luke is my special! Alex didn’t lose a minute, going back and forth from his riding to spending time showing us the highlights.What most impacted me was being close enough to the track to hear the hooves strike and the horses breathe. The perfect end to the day came when we drove to NBC to find no obstacles to our entering the lobby area to view the many tributes to Barbaro.

And finally, from Janice Palmer, timestamp 5:56 pm:

hi bobby and family, this is my first time typing.
I read this site everyday and pray for Bobby.
I met Barbaro in Kentucky two weeks before the Derby. There is a vibe he exudes and you know you are standing next to greatness! I wished him luck, told him I knew he would win the Derby and then petted him. Just as I was having my picture taken with him, he bit me on the arm.
SURPRISE!!!
It is the day I will always remember.
Glad to be aboard. I love him!
Keep up your miraculous fight, Bobby!
Posted by: Jan of Wor.

Update 755: I just spoke to Mrs. Jackson, who visited Barbaro this morning. She said Barbaro remains comfortable. His status is unchanged, a good thing. When I called her I interrupted her working on the anti-slaughter issues that have become so important to all of us who are following Barbaro’s recovery. Not surprisingly I tried to get off the phone pretty quickly.

[VirginiaBred]

Tuesday~

Update 759: The update for Barbaro this morning will again be after 8 am.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 760: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (monday night). I saw Michael Matz when I was on my second set (Chappy), Michael was on Messaging, stood by the gap on the dirt. He had heard from Dr. Richardson. It is another beautiful day here at Fair Hill.
It is also the end of an era, the last day of the woodchip track, Fair Hill’s original training surface. It will be replaced by the Tapeta surface (synthetic track) which will hopefully be ready in a couple of months. Chappy was my last horse to gallop on the woodchip, and she was in great company. Graham Motion was breezing a few of his horses, they included Film Maker and Sweet Talker.
update, tuesday october 3, 8:25 am

[VirginiaBred]

New Bolton Update! Excellent!!!

Update 761: New Bolton’s weekly update: Barbaro had another good week:

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had another good week, and continues to please veterinarians with his progress. “He is doing very, very well,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “His appetite and vital signs continue to be excellent.”
[I]Veterinarians plan to change the colt’s right hind leg cast within the next week, if needed. Barbaro’s left hind hoof remains in a protective bandage, which is changed daily. He still goes out to walk and graze each day.

While pleased with Barbaro’s progress, Dr. Richardson is cautious about his prognosis. 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.[/I]
The next update will be posted on Tuesday, October 10, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.

[VirginiaBred]

Rachel from Kennett Florist left this quick report in the comments of their visit to NBC, timestamp: 9:17 pm:

Not only ACN, but a “very, very well” from Dr Dean! Way to go Big guy… of course we know how well his appetite has been.
Spirits were good at NBC today. We dropped off some treats for our boy as well as some for the beloved donor horses. It’s a good day to graze, I think we’re getting out Indian Summer here this week, it’s warm today and supposed to be crazy hot tomorrow. I’m sure Big B is enjoying the sun on his back!
WE BELIEVE!!
Rachel at Kennett Florist

[msj]

Thanks VB for the updates!

Candles need to be lit ASAP. The number is barely at 864. I had to light about 15 candles to get 4 to show. They were going out faster than I could light them. :eek:

[VirginiaBred]

Update 764: Peter Brette just called (7pm). Barbaro continued to have a good day today. Peter had heard from Michael who had visited. He was out of his stall for about an hour. No doubt a great day for grazing.

[Fancy]

And Michigan is sending another balmy, beautiful afternoon for tomorrow. Sorry, tho, the morning will be pretty wet!

My candles are lit for the day. We ALL need “another comfortable night.”

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

[VirginiaBred]

Wednesday Morning~

Update 765: Again, the Barbaro update will be after 8 AM. That is looking like the new standard time to expect an update. Many of you following Barbaro have realized today marks a special anniversary, one year since Barbaro made his debut, and of course one year since his undefeated record began. Here is our interview with Jose Caraballo, who rode Barbaro that day.
Bernardini did his final piece of work on tuesday, before the Jockey Club on saturday: Bernardini Breezes for Jockey Club Gold Cup. He went five eighths in 1:03 1/5th, which seeme to me like a simple maintenance breeze and nothing more. I am planning on going to Belmont for the races on saturday. And now for something slightly amusing.

Thank you Alex.

[CSSporthorses]

Just took the big boy’s candles from 970 to 1060. I’m leaving this afternoon for vacation, won’t be home till late Monday night and back to classes on Wednesday. Hope to hear nothing but good things when I return on Tuesday

[VirginiaBred]

Update 766: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (tuesday night). I just saw Michael Matz as I was coming onto the dirt track for my second set, to gallop Chappy a mile and a quarter. He had heard from Dr. Richardson.
update, wednesday, october 4, 7:35 am.
Thanks, Alex!

[VirginiaBred]

Alie, from Kennett Florist left this note in the comments, timestamp: 8:01 pm:

It’s a beautiful day in Kennett Square. I just returned from NBC. Delivered Barbaro’s Treat basket. All seemed well.
Dr Sweeny had someone in her office, so I didn’t get to see her. Kathy at the front desk is always a joy to see & talk to. They were very busy. People were running around every where. I hold them about breakfast coming on Friday; you can’t image the excitement that made. NBC is just a wonderful place for animals & people.
Today we are celebrating; 1 year ago was Barbaro’s first win. Wow how time goes bye. We can’t wait to celebrate Barbaro being well & leaving NBC. We are so lucky to have found this wonderful world at TWR that B has opened up to us. We are truly blessed. God Bless Barbaro, the Jackson’s, NBC, Michael, Alex, & all connected.
[I]WE BELIEVE!!!
Alie

[/I]

[VirginiaBred]

Continued thanks to Tim/Alex~

Update 769: Just spoke to Peter Brette who had spoken to Michael, who visited Barbaro. Barbaro remains comfortable. Another good day. Given it is the anniversary of Barbaro’s first win I asked Peter about his thoughts that day and what he knew of Barbaro going into the race. He said he figured Barbaro was a very good horse going into the race, and the result was more a relief than anything. He proved that day he was a good horse. Peter has ridden plenty of good horses to compare Barbaro with given his time in Dubai and Europe.

[VirginiaBred]

Thursday Morning~

Update 771: The update for today is going to be delayed, Dr. Richardson is out of town. Michael did note that Barbaro was well yesterday evening. Thus far I have ridden two horses. The first, a new 2yo, went out in company with another new 2yo. Both seemed pretty sensible, which is all you can ask for at this early stage. The second was Chappy, galloping a mile and a quarter. Coming off the track I asked to Lil (Klesaris) about the change in jockey for Miraculous Miss on saturday (Pino is named on her). She confirmed Ramon Dominguez is scheduled to be in New York that day. It must be tough for the jockeys when their top horses are running the same day, at different racetracks. I know Ramon worked Miraculous Miss her last two works at Fair Hill.
update 7:40 am, thursday

Thank you Alex!

[VirginiaBred]

Update 773: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (wednesday night.) Peter just called to let me know (1 pm) and Michael is now on his way over to visit.
update 1:10 pm, thursday

[eggbutt]

VB & Company…ya’ll are incredible. THANK YOU!