Barbaro Updates: 38
updates are now here.
Update 386: Just caught up with Peter Brette. No update yet this morning (I'll call him about noon to see if he has heard) but he did tell me all was well yesterday, so that was good.
I asked Theresa what it was like to ride Barbaro. Theresa used to work for Michael Matz last year. She now works for Jim MvGreevy. She was one of the few who rode Barbaro other than Peter (we know his jockeys only rode him on race day) before Barbaro went down to Florida last year. Her comment: "he had gears you would not believe".
Update 385: This morning's update will be later in the morning that usual. Michael Matz is in Saratoga so I won't likely have any information until after finishing at Fair Hill. There was a fundraising ball in Saratoga last night for New Bolton Center. I believe Dr. Richardson (and likely some others from New Bolton) was in attendance. I had asked a friend to quiz him for some insight but he was pretty busy, as you can imagine.
I have removed the comments section for the time being, if you have any articles of interest you think I could post here, any questions you would like answering, any poems and other creative works for me to post, please e-mail me. I would appreciate it as it would hopefully retain some of the value the comments section was providing.
Finally, worldwide interest in Bobby remains: Australia and New Zealand.
Update 384: Here are a couple of articles I have been meaning to post. With so much human suffering in the world, it would be easy to condemn America's obsession with an injured racehorse - easy but wrong. This Guardian (UK) article discusses why we care. It includes the excerpt:
But all the attention has brought out the sceptics. Don't Americans have more important things to worry about than a horse, they ask.
It seems a valid point, but it misrepresents the real issue. Our capacity for compassion is not finite. There is no reason to suppose that those of us who find ourselves caught up in the story of a horse's progress are unconcerned with the fate of human beings in infinitely graver situations.
There are plenty of good reasons why so many people care so much about Barbaro. The simplest and the most potent? The sheer spectacle, the power and the glory, of a great horse at full gallop.
Note, this article is a little dated (two weeks after the Preakness). I thought it was also interesting to note that Peter Brette rode a winner for Ginger McCain (Red Rum's trainer), on the flat!
This article: Power of healing harnessed focuses on The New Jersey Equine Center and Dr. Scott Palmer. It notes Dr. Palmer was a guest of Michael Matz for the Preakness and involved immediately after the accident. We noted in one of the earlier updates a visit to Bobby of Dr. Palmer. The article also notes Smarty Jones' visit to New Jersey Equine. A good article for those interested in learning more about equine hospitals.
Update 383: Nice to see Bluegrass Cat win the Haskell. One of Bobby's Derby victims (just had to add that). ESPNs update on Barbaro included a note that Michael said Barbaro remained in good spirits. That is positive and what I continually here. I asked Peter how he looked when we went yesterday, specifically about his weight and coat. He has dropped weight, but that is only to be expected given he was supremely fit when he entered NBC and has been virtually immobile since. Imagine a human athlete who has to stop exercise entirely for the same period of time. Fortunately he has retained an incredible appetite so that has helped. While he has dropped weight his coat remains very shiny, and he retains a gleam in his eye, both very positive signs. There is much speculation as to why there are no recent Bobby pictures, I am absolutely sure it is not because they believe his appearance would create concern.
Another nugget of information from Peter yesterday, neither Jose Caraballo or Edgar Prado rode Barbaro at any time other than in his races.
Delaware Park was fun today. Peter was there, saddling a horse in the sixth for Michael Matz (who is in Saratoga). I saw Jose Caraballo. I thanked him for our interview (it was by phone, he was not entirely sure who I was when I called), and he was very happy to have been able to do it. The Keilbasa Queen was fourth and came back safely.
Update 382: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (Saturday night). I just spoke to Peter Brette who had received word this morning. Off to Delaware Park this afternoon to watch some races...
updated sunday 11:30am
Update 381: From time to time I will get snippets of information from Saratoga (from friends up there) that I will post. Some of it will likely relate directly to Bobby, some perhaps not some much, but general racing interest. A friend of mine visited with Bernadini yesterday, and in light of our interview with Tom Albertrani, I wanted to share the content:
I just had a good look at Bernardini in his stall this afternoon and a talk with Dave Wallace, the assistant trainer who is an old pal of mine. He said that they are thankful for Barbaro's continuous popularity and recovery, as it is allowing Bernardini a lot more peace from the press. Of course the usual racing publications want to see him, but the mainstream newspapers are not overly interested. He is a very cool horse, medium sized with a nice disposition. Dave says that when he comes out of the stall he seems to grow, the way most good horses do when their blood is slightly up. (Dave was assistant/exercise rider for Mott for the past 18 years, galloped Cigar, etc.)
Update 380: Yesterday during my visit to New Bolton I met the Thomas family. They were from Tampa, FL, in the area for a family reunion, but I think that was their excuse to come and offer their wishes for Barbaro. They placed a couple of nice pictures for Barbaro on the main entrance. I of course took some pictures (there is a nice poster from the Barbaromaniacs!) which will take a few days to get posted on the site. I also took some pictures of the lobby area. The Churchill Downs cards (I think there are six) are still there, there is one from Pimlico, as well as other cards from tracks and individuals / groups of people. I don't think Peter had seen these before (he does not need to visit the lobby area to visit Barbaro) and was pretty moved when I returned with him to show him. The outpouring is very impressive.
A few pieces of content from the comments from Updates 37 (sorry if I missed something):
Julia B. 9:26 pm:
Hello again - I just wanted to add this little tid bit ...
Today I went to copy the picture I drew of Barbaro, I got cardstock to print on and made the copies - I took them up to the register to pay for them and the cashier looked at them and said -"no charge!" I replied. "but I have about 20 copies on cardstock... & he said, "I know !" How sweet and kind of him , I told him more about Barbaro and gave him a copy with a big THANKS written across the bottom !!
Barbaro brings out the best in us ! He represents grace and love. His aura captivates our inner beings, our hearts , our soul ! He transend the worlds problems and is a beacon of light a shinning star , a ray of hope!
Sharri, 12:45 am:
Into our lives has come, a special creature who has captured our hearts and souls.
Barbaro is his name.
Into our lives has come a hero who has raced against adversity and has shown us all how to win.
Barbaro is his name.
Into our lives has come an example of what is good and loving and who expects nothing in return except caring and kindness.
Barbaro is his name.
Into our lives has come a beautiful bay colt who is truely an old soul at heart.
Barbaro is his name.
WM. 9:58 pm:
***JOB APPLICANT***
A local business was looking for office help. They put a sign in the window saying:
HELP WANTED
Must be a good typist and be good with a computer. Successful applicant must be bilingual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
A short time later a lovely bay horse trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went
inside. He looked at the receptionist and nodded his head, then walked over to the sign, looked at it, whinnied and pawed the air.
The receptionist called the office manager. He was surprised, to say the least, to see a horse applicant. However, the horse looked determined, so he led him into the office. Inside, the horse laid down and stared at the manager expectantly.
The manager said, "I can't hire you. The sign says you must be able to type."
The horse jumped up, went to the word processorr and proceeded to quickly type a perfect business letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manager, gave it to him, then laid back down.
The manager was stunned, but told the horse, "That was fantastic, but I'm sorry. The sign clearly says that whoever I hire has to be good with a computer."
The horse jumped up again, went to the computer and proceeded to demonstrate his expertise with various programs, internet marketing, and produced a sample spreadsheet and database; then presented them to the manager.
The manager was dumbfounded! He said to the horse, "Hey, I realize that you are a very intelligent applicant and have fantastic talent, but you're a horse -- no way could I hire you."
The horse trotted over to the sign in the window and pointed his hoof at the words, "Equal Opportunity Employer."
The exasperated manager said, "Yes, I know what the damned sign says. But the sign also says you have to be bilingual."
The horse looked him straight in the eye and said, "Meow."
Update 379: The update today won't come until probably lunchtime I am afraid. Michael Matz has returned to Saratoga, and Peter will speak to him likely mid morning to get an update. I will try to speak to Peter shortly after that. In the meantime I will provide some other content, a mix of comments from yesterday, content from my NBC visit with Peter and a snippet on Bernadini.
Good morning Barbaro-
Have another healing and comfortable day...
I will be thinking of you on my beach ride
this morning(nice and cool) with Ginger..
Christian
Posted by: Christian at August 6, 2006 10:07 AM