Barbaro Updates: 47
updates are now here.
Update 473: Barbara Livingston just put this album together of Lost in the Fog. Her e-mail to me included the following:
Man, I LOVE Lost in the Fog. Mr. Gilchrist is as kind and generous an individual as I've ever met....
I just put this together. I'll try to add more, perhaps at the end of the weekend.
Thanks Barbara.
Update 472: Rachel at Kennett Florist just left the following comment:
It's a beautiful day here and at NBC. They were digging into the baskets of goodies as soon as we got there today! There were a few staff members bustling about and when I asked how things were the reply was that "they were doing good work here" (Like we didn't know). The respect they have for all animals continues to amaze me.
Things are rolling right along for Dr R's day. The cake and ice cream are now all taken care of (for those who have asked). We're getting really excited, and hope that it is a big surprise... we just have to absorb it all so we can paint a good mental picture for all of you!
As always, thank you to all of you!
WE BELIEVE!!
I asked how Giacomo got his name, Cheryl was first with the answer (timestamp: 7:45pm), followed by Jen (7:55pm). He is named after Sting's son. Sting is a friend / associate of Giacomo's owner, Jerry Moss.
And here is a quick update on Mike Rea: They Say the Brain Healing has Started.
Update 471: Just spoke to Peter Brette (4:45 pm) and all remains well with Barbaro. Michael had just called him and Michael is at New Bolton now visiting Barbaro. One day at a time!
Update 470: I just spoke to Steve Willard, Giacomo's exercise rider, to get an update on Giacomo today. This is what he had to say:
Giacomo is a happy camper. He is currently grazing outside his barn (10:45 am pacific time) after training this morning. This morning he entered the track at the 3/4 pole shoot (his normal place to enter the track). He stood in for a while, as he normally does, then set off the wrong way to jog a mile and a quarter. He turned in, stood a while, then turned around and galloped a mile and a half. He was a little fresh at the beginning of the gallop and wanted to do more, but then settled down nicely and relaxed. He came home well. A nice routine training day for Giacomo as he gets ready for the Pacific Classic on sunday.
He is the second choice on the morning line (3-1) and has drawn post 4 of 8. Steve did not think the draw mattered much for Giacomo as he will come from behind. Steve talked about how he got his name, does anyone know the story ? If not, I'll post tomorrow.
For those looking for more background information on Lost in the Fog, this is a good article: Lost in the Fog in critical race Career already finished, cancer threatens survival. I remember one time seeing an interview with someone connected with Lost in the Fog and was asked why he was restricted to sprinting (versus going for classic distances). I think the answer was simply he was very good at it. He was pretty close to being seriously considered for 3yo of the year going into the Breeders Cup!
Update 469: Given that it appears Lost in the Fog is undergoing an examination tomorrow, friday, to determine his prognosis, we are planning a vigil for tonight, 7 pm east coast time. Whereever you are, whatever you are doing, spare a bit of time for Lost in the Fog.
Update 468: I did catch up with Barclay Tagg this morning and asked him a few questions about his horses, and one about the Jackson's.
On Showing Up:
Today was his return to the track (in Saratoga) after his Secretariat win. He jogged off great and jogged one turn of the track. It looks like he has come out of his race well. Barclay is thinking two more races for him this year, but this plan is tentative. The second race the Breeders Cup Turf (mile and a half), the first race to be one of the following three:
Man of War, September 9, 1 mile and 3/8ths
Canada Sky Classic, September 24, 1 mile and 3/8ths
Joe Hirsch Turf, Belmont, October 7, 1 mile and a 1/2
Basically his races remain on the turf and he will be facing older horses for the first time. Stormy Kiss, another Jackson horse trained by Barclay is being pointed for the Ballerina at Saratoga (August 27). I asked Barclay how the Jackson's were doing and what it is like training for them. He clearly enjoys training for them, he said they really deserve good forture (Barbaro's progress, Showing Ups performances etc.) and they are just good people. He noted that you could not ask for nicer people to train for, they let you do your job and are very open.
Finally I asked Barclay about Funny Cide. While he is being pointed for the Woodward (September 2) towards the end of the Saratoga meet, Barclay believes a mile and a quarter is his best trip (Woodward is a mile and an eighth). There is a race in Hoosier Downs (I think) September 30 that they are looking at closely. Again, all remains tentative.
Barclay then went on to tell some very funny stories (as he does). He would make a great book!
Update 467: New Bolton Center's update today: Barbaro has had a very good week:
ÂKentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to do well, and is being hand-grazed for 20 - 30 minutes a day. "His blood work is completely normal and his vital signs are good," said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. "I can't complain. Barbaro has had a very good week." Dr. Richardson also reports that Barbaro is no longer using the sling. "His comfort level has improved to the point that when he was in the sling, he wasn't "using" it at all. The sling is only bearing the horse's weight when he wants it to, and Barbaro's comfort level has improved to the point that he was not using the sling to support his weight."
Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pennsylvania's George D. Widener Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered at the Preakness on May 20.
The next update will be posted on Tuesday, August 22 unless there is a significant change in Barbaro's condition.
Update 466: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (wednesday night). Just walked over to get the news from Michael Matz after I came off my third set this morning. He mentioned that Bobby was out grazing for 30-40 minutes yesterday.
Also, Barclay Tagg is in town for a couple of days. I will try to get an interview with him a little later. Meanwhile, another spectacular morning in Fair Hill today.
updated thursday 7:10am
Update 465: We have a couple of video tributes: A Tribute to Barbaro (from argentdesign) and When You Believe (from Shannon). We also have an article from the Washongton Post: Barbaro Now Walking Regularly in Recovery, which includes a couple of quotes from Dr. Sweeney:
"We who see him every day know he has been moving well and looking pleased and happy,"
and
"He's gotten down to where he's getting almost nothing," she said of pain management.
Finally a poem by Susan E (from update 46, timestamp 1:18am):
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY
What does it take to make Barbaro whole?
A massage, some sunshine, fresh grass in a bowl?
Stud muffins, apples,
Baby carrots with greens,
Green and white peppermints dance through his
dreams.
Michael and Peter and Gretchen and Roy,
Their love and devotion for their brave boy.
Nurses and interns and Doc Dean so keen,
Alie and Rachel and the KF machine,
Posses and prayers and lights that do heal,
A website where everyone says how they feel.
Smartness and courage and Old Soul and heart,
A will to live that has burned from the start.
Good Morning Barbaro!!!! Forgot, you're still asleep. Have a wonderful day Mr. B.
Thanks Alex and everyone at NBC and here. Enjoy the day!
Posted by: Lily at August 17, 2006 8:59 AM