Barbaro Updates: 20
updates are now here.
Update 309: Peter Brette just left me a voice mail. He also visited Bobby today and echos the positive reports we have heard. He noted his positive demeanor, and he was munching on hay when he visited. Peter sounded pretty upbeat when leaving the message.
Update 308: I spoke to Kathy Anderson as she was leaving New Bolton today (about 5 pm). She noted Barbaro was the same as she saw him yesterday, bright and alert. She also chatted with Mrs. Jackson who was also visiting Bobby, Mrs. Jackson was happy with how Bobby appeared. Kathy massaged him, and fed him fresh cut grass.
Rachel, from Kennett left this comment after her visit:
Sorry I haven't had a chance to post in a while... but wanted to give you an update on our trips to NBC today.
We went up this morning to feed the crew. They had made an announcement before we got there about breakfast being on its way, so there were lots of eager docs, ready for breakfast. We had lots of muffins, donuts and croissants, along with different juices and coffee. They were so excited to have breakfast, and it was fun to watch everyone clamour to the table. Thanks Lisa!! They really enjoyed it!
Things were a little more quiet this afternoon. We did ask how the big guy was doing and they said everything was the same. So, sorry it's not much news, but things are still good and positive.
Keep the positive vibes flowing!
WE BELIEVE!!
Update 307: New Bolton Center's press release today: Barbaro's condition remains stable:
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had an uneventful weekend, and continues to be comfortable according to his doctors at the George D. Widener Hospital. "He's maintaining an excellent attitude," said Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson. "We change his left hind foot cast regularly, and we may change his right hind cast some time this week."
Barbaro spends several hours daily in a sling. "He is out of the sling overnight because he is very smart about lying down and sleeping," said Dr. Richardson. "He continues to eat a diet designed to maximize protein and caloric intake, and his body condition is good for a horse that has had (and is having) his problems. His diet includes a selection of the best quality hay."
The next update will be posted on Wednesday, July 26 unless there is a significant change in Barbaro's condition.
I am now in DC, helping with a presentation (my presentation is tomorrow). I am also hoping to get a visit report later today.
Update 306: I was walking back from the track today with Martine Palermo (have to check the name), one of Michael Matz's exercise riders, and he described to me his visit to Bobby last monday. He was shipping a horse to NBC, and when he was there asked if it was OK to visit. He fed him carrots, and nearly got bitten. I could tell from the look in his (Martine's) eyes how much the visit meant to him. Martine has a bumper sticker on the back of his vest (required equipment for all exercise riders), it says "Go Barbaro". I will try to get a picture of him with it.
I am off to DC for the next day or so (teaching a class) so while I will continue to provide updates as I get them, there is no signal value in a delayed update (for example, I will try to get tomorrow morning's update at the usual time, but it might not happen quite as fluidly). I think Kathy may visit again today, if so, I will try to get an update etc. The same goes for Peter etc.
Finally, Red Aspen did her last piece of work before her 2006 debut, which we hope will be this saturday at Philadelphia Park. She worked well on the wood chip track, and scoped clean. Her last start, before her winter break, was pretty impressive, she has never been out of the first three.
Update 305: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (sunday). Saw Michael Matz this morning as I was going on to the track to breeze a horse. It's absolutely gorgeous in Fair Hill this morning. Earlier I rode a set out back and got to see a fox cub playing in the newly cut grass!
updated monday 7:10am
Update 304: Kathy Warren writes a response to a news media that seems to capture Barbaro's will to survive and continue his recovery:
I just sent the following message to Tom Archdeacon, a sportswriter at a newspaper in Dayton, who wrote a grim assessment for his paper this weekend:
Subject: don't bet against the horse
They're giving him membrane to rebuild the left hind hoof, and the fact is, the extreme care for that injury is giving his right hind joint time to stabilize. They're giving him epidurals and they cut the pain meds back every day as he's able to tolerate less, that's their touchstone for knowing how the horse is doing.
And this isn't any ordinary horse, he hasn't been ordinary his whole life. People who sat on his back when he was 2 years old say it took their breath away, his composure and self-awareness. He's a class act. People say he has grace. I've known cats like that, and at least one dog -- real grace, a presence and an optimism enough to humble ordinary persons.
Nobody has upgraded the horse's condition by so much as an adjective, but everybody -- especially the doctors and trainers who see him every day -- all of them are saying, this horse requires us to give him a chance. He's standing square, he's got a sling he has adapted to, he sleeps lying down every night, he gets a bath on Saturdays, since he was a foal he has handled being in a stall better than most, he's getting nutrients to help him with the left hind rebuild --
Don't bet against the horse. Waste of your time, and you get a lot of people thinking you give up too easy.
Kathy Warren
Northbrook, IL
Also, congratulations (again) to Edgar Prado. I read in the New York Post (Ed Fountaine) that he won the riding title for the most recent meet at Belmont, thanks to his win in the Oaks this weekend.
good morning Barbaromaniacs. awaiting this mornings update, so i can start my day!
one day at a time....
We BELIEVE in MIRACLES
We BELIEVE in BARBARO...
Posted by: lou at July 24, 2006 11:07 AM