I love the stories of the grown-up kids. One’s wife just had a baby 4 days ago, and he left her side to be in KY… another of the “kids” skipped out on getting his Master’s Degree at his school’s graduation ceremony. Pretty cool…
MM was one of my idols growing up and showing - this is just SO cool!!! I hope Barbaro comes out sound and happy.
For those wondering on this - they did show a couple of brief clips of MM show jumping. I only saw the one clip though and I watched pretty much from Oaks day on. 
Would someone please tell me what I missed…why is MM in a wheelchair? Was that him? If not, who was it? (I didn’t watch the race, just pictures/clips online…)
That would be the trainer of Brother Derek that was in the wheelchair. He was paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle accident a few years ago.
Adelita, the trainer in the wheelchair was not MM, but the trainer for Brother Derek. Sorry I do not remember his name. He was injured in a moto cross accident last year.
“Woo-hooo, my sentiments exactly…couldn’t have happened to a classier guy…I wish they had showed Michael show jumping…sure would have impressed a lot of the viewers who don’t really know what show jumping is…I’m so happy for him and all of the people associated with the horse…maybe it will make a lot of other trainers look at their conditioning schedules and make them ease off of these babies”
The pre show coverage on ESPN did show Micheal show jumping and of course my non horsey sister calls me at that exact moment and I missed what the report said. At least viewers on ESPN Derby coverage got an idea about what Mr. Matz did in the Olympics.
Thanks so much, Illyria!!
For anyone - aka those living in holes, caves or Antarctica - who missed what I consider to be one of the best Derby’s in years, you can see a replay of it at: http://www.calracing.com/replays.php After registering - it’s free - go to “horses” type in “Barbaro” and then click on the Derby. 
The general concensus on another board is that Barbaro’s “gimpyness” was just the result of the way the groom was handling him after the race. I sure hope they are right–great race and a great horse!!!
And…how about Bluegrass Cat??? Very exciting!!
Any reason the infant he saved when he went back in the plane hasn’t been mentioned? I don’t think they mentioned the baby at all, never mind try to make contact with the family. Do you think NBC arranged the credentials etc to get the family to the Derby, or is that something MM did on his own? Not that it isn’t something MM wouldn’t do, but I’m sure NBC looks for “fluff” (what we call it on the skating boards) pieces.
My dad was at some place in Connecticut, where we’re from, watching the race so he could bet a couple. I called him and told him to put $5 on Barbaro. He said he’d do an exacta and suggested Bluegrass Cat. I nixed it and said Sharp Humor. So how much would’ve I won if I went with 1) Barbaro, 2) Bluegrass Cat in an Exacta? I think it paid 500-something. STupid me.
I’m so happy for MM. He’s always seemed like a really nice person and showed his class again today. I really hope that Barbaro did not hurt himself.
I thought the horse was lame for a minute too, but then thought it was tension and restraint. I think the best thing about this horse winning is that MM gave him time off that no one agreed with. I hope this changes some training views and others will think of backing off to have a fresher horse instead of overtraining. I picked this horse to win only because I thought his trainer was really tuned in to what was going on with the horse mentally and physically. A good horseman is a good horseman, period. Plus, I think you can really conform your training schedule around the needs of the horse if you can get on, ride him, and “feel” what’s going on in his body. This guy obviously can. I think that horse is going to win the Triple Crown if he’s sound.
I thought the horse was lame for a minute too, but then thought it was tension and restraint. I think the best thing about this horse winning is that MM gave him time off that no one agreed with. I hope this changes some training views and others will think of backing off to have a fresher horse instead of overtraining. I picked this horse to win only because I thought his trainer was really tuned in to what was going on with the horse mentally and physically. A good horseman is a good horseman, period. Plus, I think you can really conform your training schedule around the needs of the horse if you can get on, ride him, and “feel” what’s going on in his body. This guy obviously can. I think that horse is going to win the Triple Crown if he’s sound.
Man How cool…
would it be if after all these years we have a Triple crown winner. I think if anyone can , he just might have a shot! Any way of knowing how Barbaro is and what he will be doing from now till the preakness??:winkgrin:
Horses who are still very “up” on their post race high often step very short on one side trying to stay with the groom while walking them back. I didn’t see the footage of him being lead back after the race, but what Emily describes is very common. I worry about them if they are just meandering along next to me after a race, much more than if they are doing the “I’m saying with you but don’t really want to, please let the heck go of my mouth” one-sided hop. :winkgrin:
I was on the phonewith one of Seattle Slews old trainers as Barbaro crossed the finishline…She gave me goosebumps. (Hell the race gave me goose bumps!)
Seattle Slew- broke and trained by a world class equestrian
Undefeated going into the Derby and Triple Crown winner. He also stumbled out of the gate
Barbaro-Trained by a world class equestrian, undefeated into to derby and triple crown…he too stumbled out of the gate.
ok off to pat the hair back down on my neck! Cross your fingers group, this could be a great ride!
Time off and Barbaro??
Congrats to Micheal Matz and his crew on a job well done with Barbaro!:yes:
Does anyone wonder how well Barbaro will bounce back for the Preakness and Belmont(if ran in those)? With his history of having lots of time off in between his races, I wonder how he’ll do with running 3 races in 5 weeks time.
While I think it was a great race and Barbaro had a beautiful trip, I’m not one to jump immediately on the “GREAT” horse/TC bandwagon.
Don’t get me wrong I think very highly of MM and what he has accomplished so far in his life! I’m just curious to see what the hard core race mongers think of Barbaro and his chances.
Who trained Seattle Slew, and what was his equestrian legacy?
