Barbaro ~ America's Horse

[VirginiaBred]

Barbaro’s story was selected as one of the top ten sports stories by the Chicago Tribune for 2006: National: A run to make a father proud.

Edgar Prado’s quote: “If tears could heal a wound, Barbaro would be healed by now.” was selected as one of the best sports quotes of 2006: The Voices: Best quotes from 2006.

Update 1253: Another (short) visit. I called Tom (the Jackson’s farm manager) to get an update but Tom was sick and was unable to visit Barbaro today. I, of course, volunteered to run over and give him a quick groom (Barbaro, not Tom). I did. I spent about forty minutes with Barbaro, giving him a good grooming. He had just finished his dinner when I arrived. I put on his halter, tied him up and went to work. As usual, starting by picking his front feet. I then went over him with a body brush (with free hand on his halter and an eye out for him) and then a curry comb and a towel. I finished off just sponguing out his eyes and nostrils. He looked good. Before leaving I fed him some carrots and a couple of apples. His appetite appears strong, he would have kept eating if I had stayed to continue … but its New Year’s eve and I am off to dinner. Happy New Year!
Update 1252: Barbaro was ranked the number one sports story by the Wilmington News Journal readers: Barbaro’s competition left at the gate. Looking at the quotes from the article it appears you influenced this ranking. Perhaps we can have the same impact to determine ESPNs top story for 2006 (Barbaro is currently ranked number 18): Rank 'Em: Which were the top stories of 2006?.
Thanks, Alex.

[VirginiaBred]

[B]New Year’s Day, 2007

[/B]The Barbaro update will likely be later in the day.

[Jessi_P]

@VirginiaBred;2105884

Perhaps we can have the same impact to determine ESPNs top story for 2006 (Barbaro is currently ranked number 18): Rank 'Em: Which were the top stories of 2006?.

He is up to #15 at the moment.

[VirginiaBred]

Now, he’s #14…

[VirginiaBred]

Update 1255: Treat yourself to the sporting performance of 2006: And its all Barbaro, in a sublime performance …
Thanks, Alex.

Edited to add: I just watched that and cried and cried. Wow. Emotional.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 1256: Another good year-end wrap article: ‘06 was rich tapestry of triumph, tragedy. The article also includes the turf writer’s picks for eclipse awards. Tim and I were discussing (on the way back from the track yesterday after breezing The Kielbasa Queen and Hawty Creek) the momentum Barbaro seems to be gaining for end of year honors. The article above has Barbaro as horse of the year! Here are my picks (for fun of course):
Steeplechaser: McDynamo (by default, no competition)
Juvenile Colt: A close call between Street Sense and NoBiz like ShoBoz. My bias pick is for the latter.
Juvenile Filly: Dreaming of Anna
Three year old colt / gelding: Barbaro. While there may be a little bias I am convinced the award should go to the horse that does the most impressive thing on the racetrack. For me that is Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby. His other races were notable in as much as he won them all until the fateful day of the Preakness. Bernardini had a great year, but I just don’t see that he prooved he was better than Barbaro. Same with Discreet Cat.
Three year old filly: Pine Island. Wait a While was great on the turf, but Pine Island takes this one.
Older horse: Invasor. Aside from his early defeat in Dubai he was flawless. Great win in the Classic sealed this with ease.
Older female: No idea.
Sprinter: Thor’s Echo. Special mention for Lost in the Fog for winning a stake while suffering from cancer (obviously undetected at the time).
Turf male: Who knows, they all managed to beat each other. Better Talk Now showed he’s the best US based distance turf horse on Breeders’ Cup day, but if I pick him you will know I am just biased!
Turf female: Fim Maker ? … OK, Ouija Board!
Horse of the year: Barbaro (of course). He ran the best race, he is running his most important race, and he has done more for the sport of horse racing than any horse in the modern era. (Mind you, the sport needs much more help going forward).
Trainer: A toss up between Michael Matz and Kieran McLaughlin. They both won a triple crown race and a Breeders’ Cup race, with different horses. Since I don’t know Kieran personally, I’ll vote for Michael Matz.
Jockey: Edgar Prado. An elite horseman and human.
Apprentice: The french dude.
Owner: The Jackson’s. They campaigned two of the best five three year olds of the year.
Breeder: No idea. Perhaps the Jackson’s again.
Thanks, Alex.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 1257: Tom is still recovering from whatever derailed him yesterday so he asked me if I wanted to come over and help him with Barbaro this afternoon … Yes! We were to meet in the ICU at 1 pm. When I arrived Tom was already there. Anyway, while he felt better it made sense for me to groom Barbaro. That was all we were going to do today. I put on his halter, tied him up (Barbaro not …) and set to work. I started as usual by picking his front feet. I then gave him a good once over with the body brush. This again was followed up with a good currying and a wipe over with a cloth. I spongued out his eyes and nostrils. Once done Barbaro looked great. He really does have a very good coat and shines up brilliantly when he has been groomed. Once we were done Tom and I sat around chatting for a little while, while we fed Barbaro some carrots and apples. Tom had brought him his Lael grass, which he does really enjoy. All in all we were with Barbaro for about an hour, a lovely way to spend New Year’s day afternoon for sure. Nine visits and as of yet, Barbaro has not bitten me!
Thanks, Alex!

[VirginiaBred]

Update 1258: Soldiers Dancer, the favorite, won the Tropical Park Derby. They were more than two seconds slower than Barbaro’s time last year (1:46 3/5). The Tropical Park Derby was Barbaro’s last race on the turf, and he won very easily.
Many people actually think Barbaro was a better turf horse than dirt horse. What was brilliant about his racing career (and another reason he should be considered Horse of the Year) was he won on all surfaces in 2006, good dirt, slop, and turf.
Thanks, Alex.

[ivy62]

As always VB and Alex THANK YOU for your undying devotion to us!!! And happy new year!
I watched the video of Barbaro and cried! it was an awesome race! Wish we could turn back the hands of time. But maybe he was sent here to do more then win races but change racing and bring some of the issues in the forefront…
I finally watched the video of him walking, it looks so odd, will his strange gait cause hoof or back problems in the future? He seemed to be comfy though.
Still jingling and lighting candles in NY!

[VirginiaBred]

Tuesday Morning ~

The Barbaro update will be later today.

[VirginiaBred]

New Bolton is scheduled to release an update on Barbaro today.

[flshgordon]

Just wanted to wish VB and ALL of Team Barbaro, the Jacksons, etc the happiest of New Years. I hope 2007 brings great things for Barbaro, for us and for all our equine friends!

[VirginiaBred]

[B]New Bolton Update

[/B]Update 1261: New Bolton’s Barbaro update: Barbaro’s status remains unchanged:

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s status is essentially the same. “The shoe on his right hind foot was further modified as his strength improved,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “We are aware that there is some public concern about his abnormal motion on the right hind limb, however, this is not unexpected. His gait may be abnormal as he learns to adapt to having fusions of two major joints in his lower limb and to the special shoe. In addition, the fracture had some collapse on the medial (inside) part of the pastern region after he developed laminitis on the left hind foot. Although this is visually unattractive, the mechanics of the lower leg are not seriously affected because the pastern and fetlock joints are fused.”
Our goal was to give him a leg that would be functional and comfortable enough to live happily. “The right hind has healed well enough that we are optimistic about that possibility,” said Dr. Richardson. “However, Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had laminitis, remains a more formidable long-term challenge. The foot must grow much more for him to have a truly successful outcome.”
Barbaro, who has been in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals since his injuries at the Preakness on May 20, is eating well and has a bright eye and happy demeanor, according to his medical team.

The next update will be posted on Tuesday, January 16, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.

[URL=“http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/messages?msg=3457.1”]

[VirginiaBred]

And here is the most recent video of Barbaro without his cast.
Thanks, Alex.

[I_m_EBO]

Why don’t they…?

Okay, fess up. Who besides me is tempted to send Dr. Dean her favorite remedy to speed up hoof growth? :winkgrin:

IF I were to do this, could I say something like–“A product I really like for speedy hoof growth is Foundation. If I sent you some, would you try it?”

Or, “Have you tried Isoxsuprine for that left hoof?”

:lol: :lol: :lol:

What do you think he’d say/think?

[VirginiaBred]

From what I’ve gathered, New Bolton has been SWAMPED with “helpful suggestions” for Barbaro.

They have passed all information on and it has been reviewed. Something tells me they are using the best thing for this situation.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 1262: I just spoke to Tom, the Jackson’s farm manager. He visited today and Barbaro remains comfortable. I am planning on visiting Barbaro again tomorrow with Tom.
Thanks, Alex.

[Oakstable]

Feel free to e-mail me a favorite recipe to speed up hoof growth.

oakstable@aol.com

[ivy62]

okay I will fess up, I sent a suggestion too! heehee! Ya know they do not know everything that is out there on the market but I would love to know what they have tried and liked or not…anyone know?

[Kenike]

wow, interesting video!

I don’t post on here much anymore, but am always reading, etc. I can’t believe it’s been as long as it has! Thanks for keeping the thread updated, VB!