Barbaro Updates: 40
updates are now here.
Update 418: Peter just called (7pm). All remains well with Bobby. He had spoken to Michael again later today. As we get ready for racing this weekend I thought I would post this article: Barbaro's owner has a consolation and see if you can spot the error! Anyway, Showing Up does look like the real deal on the Turf, but we also know Bobby was outstanding on the turf and might have been campaigned later in his career on the turf in europe (something Peter has told me on more than one occasion)!
Its Saratoga sales time. This is covered by the Daily Racing Form: $1.6 million 'Empire' filly tops sale (Glenye Cain seems very cool, we have chatted on the phone a couple of times, she adopted a retired racehorse that was once trained by Graham Motion). However I prefer my friends report, via e-mail:
It's hard to describe the atmosphere at this sale. Lots of heavy hitters from around the world, a select group of fancy horses, and lots of spectators dressed in cocktail attire. And lots of cocktails. I think the lights are positioned to make the horses look extra glossy and consequently the people look glamorous too. What's that saying?, "a place to see and be seen". I didn't see as many horses as I'd have liked. The Green Monkey's half sister looked really fancy, but she only brought $225,000 which is probably below the average for this sale. I saw an Unbridled's Song colt sell for 1.3 million and a really nice Empire Maker filly sell for 1.6 million. The sale was not over when I left.
Update 417: A quick update from Kennett Florist:
When we got to NBC today one of the wonderful ladies grabbed a few bunches of carrots and headed up to Bobby with them. It seems they've been awaiting our arrival the past few days... can that boy eat carrots or what? Everyone was very upbeat. Talked to Dr Sweeney, and she's going to do a little investigating on Dr R's favorite restaurant for us. I've said it before, but it bears repeating... what a wonderful place NBC is, and what amazing people! Thank you all!
WE BELIEVE!!
Update 416: A poem and a limerick. The poem was e-mailed to me by Beverly Sweitzer:
PERFECTION
I searched o'er all the world for one thing perfect.
I looked at castles and at kingdoms men erect.
To every land and every clime I sought
To see if somewhere perfection could be bought.
I gazed at landscapes of many a land,
Admired the seashores and cities of every demand.
I looked at everything that man had made--
Cathedrals and columns of every shade.
I saw the bright lights of a beautiful city.
I tried to understand but my heart felt only pity
For those, who thought perfection they could meet
In the skyscraping columns above the street.
I saw the works called art, in music and in paint,
But each carried the touch of man's sinful taint.
I searched, but a perfect one I not find
In sorrow I vowed, nothing is perfect in humankind.
Taking courage again in my search, I turned
To nature to see if there perfection could be learned
From the beauty of rivers and mountains and streams
But none of these held the perfection of my dreams.
The glistening white of the snow, melts in the spring.
In fall, the leafless tree becomes an ugly thing.
The blue of the sky, when clouded, turns gray
The blossoms of flowers bloom only in May.
In despair I turned to my home on the plain
To find, in coat of burnished gold and black of tail and mane,
A horse, in all degrees, perfection ruled supreme.
The beauty of the stallion was the answer to my dream.
I've ridden in magnificent golden royal coaches,
Manmade monsters, but perfection, none approaches.
Machines of power and demons of space and speed
Cannot match the grace and beauty of that racing steed.
Oh, mount him to reach the goal of limitless length.
A thoroughbred giant of muscle and strength.
In all his magnificent glory, the indescribable king.
He stands above the world, perfect in everything.
Such faith and loyalty has never graced man's mind.
Why then, did God choose poor and sin-scarred humankind
I ask, in all this world beneath the sun,
To be called the masters of such a one.
By all the rules of heaven and earth
He must serve in bridle and saddle girth.
He was made to run and he will obey
With all his strength and power night or day.
In all my wandering of the trackless years,
In countless trips across two hemispheres,
At last I found the race in which he could compete.
Barbaro, perfection, there to find complete
and the limerick from Susan E:
A LIMERICK FOR BOBBY
There was a young stallion of lore,
Who brought horseracing back to the fore.
Barbaro was his name,
Winning big was his game,
Till his right leg did break to the core.
To New Bolton young Bobby did go,
And much courage and grace he did show.
Strong, patient, and kind,
Bobby healed his right hind,
Till he suffered yet another blow.
Bobby had a doctor named Dean,
Of medical skills very keen.
Dean fixed Bobby's hoof,
And attached to the roof,
A sling in which Bobby could swing.
"Swing, Bobby, swing!" said the NBC staff,
And "Show us your boing!" staff did laugh.
So Bobby did swing,
In his magical sling,
Till everyone's heart did take wing.
More on this stallion named Bobby,
For him peppermints were a hobby.
The mints were so sweet,
He jumped to his feet,
And ran home through the NBC lobby.
Get well soon, Bobby.
Update 415: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (wednesday night). Peter just called and had just spoken to Michael. He sounded pretty upbeat. A little delayed, but good news nonetheless! Here is a good short article: BARBARO CONTINUES TO MEND (Ed Fountaine who has cited this web-site in an earlier report) a quick update, rehashing the press release from yesterday, with this tidbit at the end:
Barbaro's trainer, Michael Matz, was upbeat at Saratoga yesterday, noting that, although one of the screws in the Derby champ's fracture was broken, the bones appear to be mending well and the pastern joint is fusing. "We just have to keep our fingers crossed," he said.
The broken screw is not of concern as far as I am aware.
Fair Hill this morning was nice and uneventful. I rode eight, one filly (Chappy) I broke out of the gate and breezed 3/8ths. She is a two year old, and will likely get her gate card soon (required before first start). I took Gator Nation out back to jog around the hills and grasslands (grass has now been cut). He seems in good spirits after his first start (nice closing third). The 2yo who reared up with me yesterday did it again today (course he's just a bit of a colt, no real harm). I stayed on!
Update 414: No update yet, just taking a break between sets. Nice to see Barbaro's influence persisting (growing): University of Minnesota to build new equine center, the following is an excerpt:
"The recent events surrounding the horse Barbaro has revealed how specialized and advanced equine care has become," said University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks. "This exciting new center shows our commitment to serve Minnesota's horse enthusiasts and the health of these beautiful animals."
A nice article in the DailyLocal: Barbaro still fighting, it begins:
Incremental progress -- that's what Roy and Gretchen Jackson hope for each day from Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby-winning horse that has been battling the odds since a career-ending injury at the Preakness in May.
"We can't look ahead," Gretchen Jackson said. "Barbaro has had pretty good days for a while, so we're very grateful."
and closes:
"The way he acts is amazing," Gretchen said. "He's really behaving himself and following the doctors' orders. He hasn't acted too bored. So many people are caring for him. He understands he needs help, so he puts up with it all because he knows he can't do it himself."
Recently, the Jacksons spent a few days in Saratoga, N.Y., where the premier racehorses in the country are competing. Numerous race fans offered their well wishes.
"It's been very hard at times, there's no denying it," Gretchen Jackson said. "We all have sadness that comes into our lives. You deal with it the best you can. Barbaro has come through a lot. But that's why he's a champion. He's headed in the right direction."
ABC's racing coverage on saturday might include an interview with the Jackson's, that would be very cool.
Ok, back to Fair Hill for two more horses.
Update 413: Much like the previous few days the morning update will be later, due to Michael being in Saratoga.
Annie stopped by and left this comment (thanks Annie, 1:03 pm):
Hi. Its Annie that works for Michael in Fairhill. I'm one of his many excercise riders at the moment. I've worked with Michael and the team for nearly 4 years so that makes me a veteran amongst the riders that he has now. Alex asked me if I could get an interview with Eduardo so you could all know how he is coping. Well an interview was too much to ask. Eduardo is a very quiet shy kind of person. But he is a sweet heart. I'm not as good a reporter as Alex. If you could have been a fly on the wall you would laugh at my spanish or lack there of. As far as I could make out Eduardo misses Barbaro alot. He told me it was an honour working with Barbaro. That they shared alot of good times and he was glad to be there to try and calm Barbaro down that day on the race track. It broke his heart. to be so happy one moment and then for it all to change so fast. Like i said Eduardo didn't want to talk to much about it. He now has a vanity plate on the front of his truck of Barbaro winning the Kentuck derby.. looks very smart.
Thank you for all your kind words to Barbaro and the Team. Its nice to know he has such a big following of people to cheer him on as he gets better. Well its 9 o'clock and well past my bedtime. 4 am doesn't be long rolling around, and the horse world stops for no man or horse.
Thank you again..... good night
Also, another excellent video posted to the discussion board http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/messages?msg=79.1 by jfrank74: Barbaro, We Believe.
And lets not forget our friend Mike Rea. It seems he is enjoying your poetry!
Update 412: The following article: High knee action might give leg up is a good reminder of the reverance Bobby inspired before the Preakness. This excerpt I loved:
The day after the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert met with some reporters at his barn on the Churchill Downs backstretch and told this story about seeing Barbaro in the paddock before the race.
"My wife, Jill, said, 'Oh my God, look at him. He looks good.' But I go, 'Yeah, I think he's a turf horse, honey.' She said, 'You better hope so.'"
The article also notes the potential for running Barbaro in europe after the triple crown. I know this is something Peter was very keen on. Its obviously an old article, but a great read.
This T shirt offer looks very generous.
Update 411: The following was just posted on the discussion board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/messages?msg=29.3:
Just wanted to say that I first saw Barbaro 2 days prior to the Holy Bull Stakes @ Gulfstream Park. While I didn't hug him, I stood by his stall while he was chewing on some hay, he turn around & watched/stared @ me for some several minutes. I was with a friend & Peter Brette was there talking to Dave & Myself about Bobby. He told me that while Barbaro was a super-super turf runner, he also was very fast on the dirt. He was by far the most Intelligent, Fastest Thoroughbred that he had ever galloped/breezed. Two days later, in the slop/dirt in a Grade 3, he ran his usual race, right behind the leaders & then blow right by them at the quarter pole.
I have about 10/12 great pictures of him, 3 Win Circle pictures that you can purchase for about $20 from the Track Photo Shop, when they are open..
He is a Champion Of Champions, in that, not only on the track, but in his recovery/healing..He's very intelligent..We are all pulling for him....
Have a great day.......Clearwater Charlie & my Bichon Fraise,(Tommy)
Update 410: Another visit report from Rachel of Kennett Florist:
It has been one crazy day, I apologize for not posting sooner. We delivered a lovely breakfast of cinnamon buns, assorted danish, muffins, juices and coffee. There was a crowd when we got there, and wasn't sure they were going to let me finish setting up before they dug in! They again wanted me to convey their gratitude... I even heard someone comment 'alright, another Barbaro breakfast!!' The mood seems really good. And of course we had our side of carrots that was delivered to Bobby for his breakfast treat.
We sent up another basket from the "fund" today. Since the staff has asked for more carrots, we loaded them up again this afternoon, along with lots of snacks (especially chocolate) for the staff. Thanks again to all of you!!
WE BELIEVE!! (always have and always will ;)
Rachel at Kennett Florist
Update 409: We have now opened up a discussion board and chat room at http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/start (thanks Prospero). I opened this last night (quietly) and we already have about 90 members and some good q and a. The discussion boards are great for asking questions, answering each others' questions etc. The chat to brainstorm, bond etc. I hope these tools compliment this site and the comments section here. Please go over, take a look, and provide any feedback as we try to make each of the tools most appropriate for our needs. You can read posts as a guest, but need to sign up (pretty simple and painless) to post and access chat. Signup also makes it much easier to manage the discussion boards in terms of keeping tabs on what you have read etc.
All updates will always be posted here.
On another note, we are climbing up google for Barbaro, now 21st!
Update 408: Peter Brette just called. He managed a quick visit to Barbaro today and said he remains comfortable. Michael also had a winner at Delaware so I managed to congratulate Peter (I only knew thanks to this site!) A poem from TLC (from updates 39: 4:00 pm):
Our message to Barbaro....
Everyday we say a prayer
for another comfortable night.
For together we stand,
this close knit group,
united against Barbaro's plight.
This beautiful being
has brought us together,
similar in so many ways.
For we all have the hope,
the thoughts, and the wishes
to see Barbaro through each of these days.
Stay strong we all say,
listen to your doctors,
show everyone how smart you are.
An inspiration to so many,
Barbaro, a bright shining star.
So Bobby, (as he is known by so many),
keep your head high and eyes all a'gleam.
For each of us knows
in our heart of hearts,
that you will fulfill our dream.
Hi Bobby...Hope you are recovering from your day yesterday. Way to go Boy! You are the best!!!!
Posted by: Ernie at August 9, 2006 7:34 PM