Thanks, Alex.
Update 1055: No update from Peter Brette yet but he is planning to visit Barbaro sometime this afternoon. I’ll try to get a report later after Peter’s visit.
Update 1056: Peter Brette just left a voice message that he did visit Barbaro today and all was well. He took him out for a nice pick of grass. Basically, it was another upbeat message.
A nice day at Delaware Park this afternoon. Good to watch Ramon Dominguez ride three winners (one was an easy win for Michael Matz). I saw Ramon’s wife sharon and had a quick chat with her. Also saw and thanked Ramon for his support of the website. While I knew Sharon because she used to gallop for Graham Motion at Fair Hill, I had never met Ramon until today.
It was good to get to Delaware Park for the final weekend and got to say good-bye to people heading south for the winter. I am now in the Delaware Handicap Room (bar) where all the colors and names of the winners of the Delaware Handicap are displayed. This includes Blessing Angelica who won in 1971 and 1972. She is the grand dam (mother’s mother) of Hawty Creek.
Thanks Alex.
Sunday Morning ~
The update will be later this morning.
Update 1057: I caught up with Michael Matz as I was grazing Hawty Creek. He confirmed Barbaro had another good day yesterday (saturday). I think it was a pretty good week all around for Barbaro. I am not sure when today’s update may appear, Dr. Richardson is still away.
Of course as I was grazing Hawty Creek I spotted Round Pond getting turned out in the paddock. She sure does act like a champion, very full of herself!
This is the time of year that many of the racing outfits migrate south. Michael and Graham Motion are two outfits that set up stables at Palm Meadows, in Florida. Michael ships his entire stable down there, Graham leaves a barn of horses at Fair Hill (splits his stable). Vans have been leaving Fair Hill all week shipping horses down to Florida. Some of Michael’s help are also already down in Florida. I believe he will remain at Fair Hill for about another week and then all will be done at Fair Hill for Michael until the spring. Of course I will need to figure out a new means of getting Barbaro updates when they do finally leave, but anticipate getting a once a day update to not be a problem.
It is sad to report the fatal injury of Mountain General, who ran in the first race at Aqueduct yesterday (saturday). He had served racing well.
Tributes for Desert Orchid continue in Britain over this weekend.
Thanks, Alex.
Update 1060: Peter called, he visited Barbaro earlier this afternoon (sunday afternoon). Another upbeat report. Peter changed Barbaro’s bandages, took him out to graze and gave him a good grooming. Barbaro remains comfortable. Thanks, Alex.[URL=“http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/6944473p-6807034c.html”]
Oh my god, that tribute is beautiful! I looked at some of the others too, they all brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for all the updates! And keep up the good work Barbaro, we love you!!
Monday Morning ~
I am not sure when the Barbaro update will be this morning, but hope it will be before 9 am.
I LOVE it. I was just over lighting candles and 12 countries are represented and over 1300 candles. And that’s coming off a weekend when the candles often go down in number. 
I’m giving thanks on Thursday that the big guy has made it this far and done so well. That, and prayers that he continues as well as he has for the last couple of months for the next 6-9 months. 
Update 1062: The early update is again from Michael’s visit last night (sunday 6 pm visit). Michael was again positive in his assessment of Barbaro when he visited. I saw Michael as I was finishing up my first set and coming off the track. Thanks, Alex.
Amen!
:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Please, let’s give thanks. It’s Been Six Months!!!
As Thanksgiving, 2006 looms close this week, I would like to respectfully request all of us give thanks for the animals in our lives, the remarkable ongoing recovery of Barbaro, and lastly; the awareness that Barbaro’s tragedy has brought to the horse industry.
Horse Rescue Issues, Anti Slaughter Issues, Synthetic Surface Issues are some of the large issues discussed more openly this year.
With the horrific accident Barbaro had at the Preakness, we as a community were brought together for the love of this animal, and a willingness to pull together.
Thank you to everyone that has read this thread, has made contributions and has shared the will to help Barbaro heal.
God Bless you all, and Happy Thanksgiving.
I couldn’t make a better “thankful” list, except to add that I’m thankful that you’ve stepped up to do this (thread), and by so doing have kept us all focused on Barbaro’s recovery.
Thank you.
Update 1063: Its six months since the Preakness, six months of recovery, and Barbaro had a special visitor this morning … Edgar Prado. I believe this was Edgar’s fourth visit, and Edgar actually provided me with this morning’s update. Edgar noted Barbaro had put on a little weight (since his last visit), had a bright eye, and was actually trying to bite him a little! Edgar then waited around to meet with Mrs. Jackson, who visited Barbaro with cut grass etc. Barbaro was more tranquil during that visit (according to Edgar). I actually drove over to New Bolton to meet Edgar. He was with his wife Lillian and son Luis. He was very relaxed and happy to see Barbaro. Thanks, Alex.
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;2008608]
Update 1063: I Edgar noted Barbaro… was actually trying to bite him a little! Edgar then waited around to meet with Mrs. Jackson, who visited Barbaro with cut grass etc. Barbaro was more tranquil during that visit (according to Edgar). [/QUOTE]
I’m glad to see Barbaro has his priorities straight - heaven forbid should he bite the hand that pays the bills and brings him fresh grass!!! :eek: :eek: :rolleyes:
Barbaro
VaBred, thanks…you’ve been great about keeping us in the know. I’m so grateful to hear good news about this wonderful beautiful horse.
Update 1065: A wonderful article from the Baltimore Sun celebrating Barbaro’s six months of recovery: Still legging out life as long shot. It includes the following excerpts:
When the demands that come with owning Barbaro become too much, Gretchen Jackson simply goes to see her horse.
“I go there and just sit down in the bedding in his stall and talk to him,” she said last week. “He’s a very gentle stallion. He allows me to be able to do that, and I find it very relaxing. I look at those legs and think about what they were able to do, to think how they carried him to victory in the Kentucky Derby.”
and
“He bit me accidentally one day. I know it was an accident. He was as surprised by it as I was. He tried to put his head on my chest to say he’s sorry.”
McCafferty paused and smiled a little sheepishly.
“People say, ‘What is she talking about?’ But it was in his eyes. It was, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean it.’ … He’s just a cool horse with a unique personality.”
and
As for today, on the six-month anniversary of Barbaro’s arrival at New Bolton, Jackson said nothing special is planned.
“It’s the same as any other day,” she said. “We’re all just going to keep plugging along.”
…but of course Edgar surprised everyone with a visit!
Thanks, Alex.
Another excerpt from the above “Still legging out life as long shot” that I loved:
‘America’s horse’
A report that Barbaro might return to the Jacksons’ Lael Farm for the winter was premature, said Jackson, 68 and the grandmother of eight. There had been discussions about moving him someplace where he could walk during the cold weather, but no one wants to do anything before Barbaro is ready. Jackson said he will stay where he is for the foreseeable future.
“It hasn’t really been decided,” she said. “But he’s really not far enough along. We couldn’t be crazy enough to take him out of there too soon. He’s not going anywhere until he’s ready to go. His hoof is growing very slowly.”
But even if Barbaro gets to the point where he is ready to leave New Bolton, Jackson said she doubts he’ll ever go back to the Jacksons’ farm.
“He’s too much of America’s horse now,” she said. "I don’t believe we could handle all the things that would have to be done - the preparation for visitors, the security. I think the Kentucky Horse Park, it might just be where he needs to go.
For sure if Barbaro ends up in KY Horse Park, I’ll be there to see him in person.
Update 1067: I spoke to Peter Brette earlier this evening who had heard from Michael who visited Barbaro this afternoon. Michael had Barbaro outside. It was another upbeat report.
Thanks, Alex.
It is amazing that Barbaro has made it this far…a broken leg and laminitis! is this to much to ask a horse to endure? I think not, he has shown us his intelligence and wanting to live and follow directions! laying down to rest etc…I hope this is the begining of a new trend with horses that problems on the track, not all can be fixed I know that but maybe some of them and with each one technology improves…Thank you Barbaro for showing us the way…
VB where would we be without your updates! THANK YOU!
Jingles and candles from NY
