Update 187: New Bolton Center’s press release: Veterinarians treat Barbaro for infection, replace plate and screws in injured leg that discusses events over the previous 24 hours:
Late Saturday, July 8, Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery, replaced the plate and many of the screws that had been inserted into Barbaro’s injured hind leg on May 21. “Barbaro had developed some discomfort and a consistently elevated temperature so we believed it was in his best interest to remove the hardware and thoroughly clean the site of the infection,” said Dr. Richardson. “We also applied a longer cast on that leg for additional support.”
While the main fracture is healing well, the pastern joint that doctors are attempting to fuse continues to be the area of concern. This joint was stabilized with new implants and a fresh bone graft.
“The recovery process from anesthesia took longer with this surgery, but Barbaro is now back in his stall in the Intensive Care Unit,” said Dr. Richardson. “He is receiving pain medication, antibiotics and other supportive care.”
Barbaro continues to be monitored closely in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. Dr. Richardson emphasized that the complications are potentially serious. Both Barbaro’s owners and trainer continue to visit him at least twice daily.
Peter Brette had just left me a voice mail (I was on a work call) to let me know that Michael Matz had just called him (I gather Michael is almost living there lately), and Bobby was doing a little better, was brighter, standing on both hind legs, and looking for something to eat. These next few days will remain very critical for Bobby I am sure.
Update 186: No new news yet. But as we all hope for better news, I thought I should highlight the original “fan media” sent by Debra Lopez: Our Prayer for Barbaro. You might also enjoy Barbaro’s best moment: Kentucky Derby 132. As Lisa noted in the comments:
"…And here comes Barbaro! The undefeated Barbaro comes up on the outside and he takes the lead as the field turns for home in the Kentucky Derby and Barbaro turns it on and his stablemate Showing up is second, Bluegrass Cat is third, Brother Derek putting in a late run for the outside, Steppenwolfer is fifth and Sweet Northern Saint six by the rail, but there coming to the finish and it’s all Barbaro in a sublime performance!
Some more jingles from GA. Sounds like he could use a lot.
can I swear?? I am gonna - Damn! Many many many jingles for the boy!!
and I just boasted tonight how well he was doing with his hardware! Shame on me!!!
Jingling like mad from 45 minutes away…
We just cannot lose him now. We can’t. He has come so far, and is a symbol for too much- and too many. His greatness is being called to action now- moreso than any stretch run- this IS the run- this is the time…Barbaro, we love you, and we will not let you go quietly into the night.
Every good thought, every prayer, every hope and dream…
TEAM BARBARO!!!
Oh no!!! Hang in there Barbaro!!! Jingling from Virginia for the game boy!!! You can beat this!!!
And thank you for the updates!
Hoping the big guy feels better asap! Really hoping for good news…
Gobs and Gobs of Jingles for Barbaro…Hope the new bone graft and clean up work…I’ll be praying lots tonight…again…
More jingles from nearby in PA.
VB - thank you so much for the updates.
more prayers and jingles for this wonderful horse…
always in my thoughts.
I’m so sorry to read of Barbaro’s setback. Barbaro is in our thoughts and prayers as is all of his recovery team. Thanks very much for the continued updates.
Update 188: Just spoke to Peter Brette this morning on the horse path…all things considered, it seems like Barbaro had a decent night last night (sunday night). Peter is planning to visit after work this morning so I’ll try to get more details later today. Keep all your positive energy coming for Barbaro today; he will surely need it.
updated monday 7:10am
Jingling from Florida … have they determined what is bothering him? Is it the ankle or is it the new cast?
Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle!
What a horrible disappointment…super jingles coming from North Carolina!
Muchos more jingles from Virginia!!!
Hang in there, Bobby!!!
Update 189: There has been quite a lot of media coverage as a result of the surgery late saturday night (and New Bolton’s press release re: the same.) Rather than rehash that content I wanted to highlight this article: New hope for Barbaro fans in ‘kid brother’? (thanks Barbara) that provides some insights into the Jackson’s breeding operation and Barbaro’s brothers. The following are a couple of excerpts:
Call him Kid Barbaro. Well, actually, the dark bay foal doesn’t have a name yet. These days, he tags alongside his mother, La Ville Rouge, at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Born in mid-March, the colt was sired by Dynaformer. That makes him a full-brother to Barbaro. Could there be another Kentucky Derby champ in those genes?
“He’s very confident and thinks he’s special, just like Barbaro did when he was here,” said Headley Bell, the bloodstock agent for Roy and Gretchen Jackson. “You’re never quite sure where that comes from. He has good size, maybe not quite as leggy as Barbaro, but he’s close.”
That’s the guy (and his mum) that we have pictures of, and
While it will be two years before Barbaro’s kid brother hits the track, his half-brother, Man in Havana, is gearing up for his racing career. His mother is La Ville Rouge. The colt is working out at the Fair Hill Training Center under the tutelage of Michael Matz and is slated to make his debut this fall.
Man In Havana and his sire, Quiet American, are named after books written by British author Graham Greene, a favorite of Gretchen Jackson’s father.
“He’s a big horse with a lovely shoulder,” Gretchen Jackson said. “Unlike Barbaro, he might take some time to show what he has. But that’s true with all of Quiet American’s foals.”
OK, now back to ride a few more horses. Wanted to thank Jen Duffy (she took plenty of the pictures of Barbaro that are on this site, prior to the Preakness), she sometimes substitutes for me re: providing the early updates (I call them in!)
Monday morning jingles from Georgia!!
Hello…that was me who had the stickers for Barbaro. Unfortunately, a letter from the Jackson’s lawyer put a stop to everyone selling anything with Barabaro’s name on it (Cafepress or anywhere). I was angry at first, but then I realized, there are probably many dishonest people capitalizing on his name instead of giving to charity, so I calmed down. At any rate, I’m matching the amount made on the donations plus some and once the Cafepress check is cut this week, I’ll make the donation of $50 to the Barbaro Fund.
Thanks for your support! 
That rocks, ElonGrad 1997!
Update 190: I am starting to look through some of the articles posted today, the Baltimore Sun (which continues to provide great Barbaro coverage) has an article: Barbaro’s infection ‘potentially serious’ (thanks Anne) includes a quote from Michael Matz:
Yesterday evening Barbaro’s trainer Michael Matz said the horse appears to be doing well.
“He looks fine,” Matz said by phone as he left the facility. "He’s on all four legs and, hopefully, that’s the way he will stay. Everything was going very smoothly and it’s always a setback when he has to go through something like this.
“Dean wasn’t happy with how comfortable he was and it has really been a very long, trying week for Barbaro and for Dean.”
I would add, a long trying week for Michael too! The above quote is similar to the feedback Peter Brette provided us last night (update 187 end).
It seems ESPN is going to provide some coverage today, Jeannine Edwards left a comment that included:
I am heading up to New Bolton this afternoon to do an update for SportsCenter. Let’s all hope this is just a bump in the road for Barbaro. Keep up the fantastic work, and thanks for keeping us informed!
Sports Digest: Barbaro Gets Worse
Jul. 10, 2006. 06:18 AM
Horse Racing
Barbaro takes turn for the worse with infection, fever
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.—Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has developed “potentially serious” complications to his injured right hind leg, and underwent surgery to treat a new infection. The infection developed in the leg where a titanium plate and 27 screws were inserted after the 3-year-old colt shattered three bones at the start of the Preakness on May 20.
The hardware was replaced and the infection treated Saturday night after Barbaro showed discomfort and had a "consistently’’ high fever.
It was the third procedure in less than a week for Barbaro.
