Barbaro Updates: 49
updates are now here.
Update 488: Due to further tests, Lost in the Fog will not return to Golden Gate Field until sunday: Lost in the Fog nears the end. Russell Baze's incredible nine race win streak remains that: Baze's 9-Race Streak Ends at Bay Meadows.
A tribute to Lost in the Fog.
Update 487: Many of you have shown interest in Perfect Drift, also running tomorrow in the Pacific Classic. I just spoke with his exercise rider, Joe Deegan, who was boarding a plane I think when we spoke I think. Joe reports Perfect Drift is training well and is as good as he has ever been right now. He has settled in really well at Del Mar and should be a major factor. As Jeannine also noted, Perfect Drift has made $4.5 million in his career thus far, Joe noted that would be over $5 million if it was not for a couple of head-bob decisions. He was twice second in the Pacific Classic so they are hoping to put that right. He is a gelding, and is a big strong horse. He is a tough horse and you have to be careful around him. Anyway, in sum, Joe reports his is training well and should put in a big effort tomorrow.
The Daily Racing form on the Pacific Classic: Classic has 'tough' written all over it.
Update 486: Jeannine Edwards just e-mailed me about the big race tomorrow (Pacific Classic) and ESPN2s coverage (7 - 8 pm east coast time). The following is an excerpt:
I did see Steve this morning before he got on Giacomo, we had a nice chat. It seems they're all pretty excited about Giacomo's chances tomorrow. I can tell you he looks fantastic! Always been a big, eye-catching horse, but he's really blossomed into a he-man since last year. Nice to hear that all his little problems seem to be behind him. Someone else who looks fantastic is Perfect Drift, what a cool horse he is. He loves travelling, loves seeing different places, and nothing fazes him. He's a handsome brute of guy. You'd never know he's 7. He spends each winter at his owner Dr. Reed's home/farm outside of Kansas City, just turned out, growing a shaggy coat, getting spoiled by Mrs. Reed, and being a horse. Trainer Murray Johnson said Perfect Drift knows he's officially "off duty" when he gets to the farm. If ever a horse deserves credit for running his heart out every single race, it's Perfect Drift. And by the way, he's by Barbaro's sire Dynaformer, and he has the same head and face as Barbaro. Only Perfect Drift's ears are bigger! Perfect Drift will be making his 40th start tomorrow, and he's earned $4.5 million!! It's going to be a great race. We will also have in the show a feature on Giacomo, an interview with his owners (Jerry and Ann Moss), a Lava Man feature and interview with his owners, and a report on poor Lost In The Fog. Incredibly sad. Hard to get a grasp of this ... and I can't even imagine what his owner, trainer, and stable personnel are going through right now. I remember seeing him at Saratoga last year, and playing with him over his webbing. He was a very personable, inquisitive colt who took his owner and trainer on a remarkable journey last year ... 10 straight wins all around the country and an Eclipse Award as the Champion Sprinter. It will be a very sad day when he leaves us.
Jeannine forgot to mention (which she confirmed in a subsequent e-mail) that there will be a Barbaro update during the show tomorrow.
Some of you have pointed out that Sabina has posted a few new pictures of Barbaro!
Update 485: Peter Brette just called, he visited Barbaro at about 1 pm today. All remains well. He gave him a good brush. He pretty much confirmed Bobby had been out grazing everyday since he first started grazing. Peter and Michael will be on grazing duty next week I think.
Kennett Florist visited Fair Hill today, this is their comment (timestamp: 6:12 pm)
Not too much to report from NBC today. All was quiet when we dropped off our goodies this afternoon, but that is normal for a Saturday.
Our prayers and thoughts are with LITF and his family. May he be comfortable in his final time at home with his family.
On a lighter note, Alie, my son Jacob and I had the wonderful duty of delivering a special gift to Alex this morning, from many of the TWR web family. He was absolutely wonderful to talk to and was graciuos enough to let my son meet a couple of the horses (he's 4 and now thanks to Barbaro, a horse fanatic). We took a couple pictures and I will forward them to Alex to do with as he pleases.
Alex, again, thank you for all that you do and for taking the time to meet with us this morning. We hope you enjoy your gifts. CHEERS from all of the thankful family members here on TWR and all of us at Kennett Florist!
PS - Before you all start calling, we don't have any fish on hand for the polar bear!! (but of course you know we'd take care of it if need be!) LOL
WE BELIEVE!!
Rachel
It was fun meeting Alie, Rachel and Jacob. I really get a kick out of seeing how easy it is to entertain people around horses. And of course, all your generosity is amazing, I was pretty overwhelmed, but very thankful! I did decide to regift the basket of goodies, I asked Annie (from Michael Matz) if she would give it to Eduardo, Bobby's groom. She was delighted to do so. I will plan another Whip gathering very soon! Again, thank you, it means a lot.
Update 484: Steve Willard (Giacomo's exercise rider) just called to provide us an update for Giacomo as he prepares for Sunday's Pacific Classic. Everything is a go. He had his last gallop before the big race and will likely tack walk or jog tomorrow morning. Steve noted his training today was similar to the last two days. He jogged back (anti-clockwise) a mile and a quarter. He turned around and galloped a mile and a half. Everything feels fine, he is training forwardly and feels good.
A couple of people have mentioned to Steve that they have been reading these reports, which is pretty cool. I think one of those people was Jeannine Edwards, who is preparing for ESPN2s coverage tomorrow (7 - 8 pm). ESPN2 will also be providing a Barbaro update I think. I will plan to contact Steve and get one more update before the big race tomorrow. A few people have asked why I am covering Giacomo specifically for the Pacific Classic. I chose Giacomo because like Bobby, he's a Derby winner!
Don't forget, we are planning a Barbaro vigil, 7 pm east coast time tonight. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, spare some thoughts for Barbaro.
Update 483: Peter Brette may be visiting Barbaro today. If he does, I will follow up and get a report. I just saw Lisa, Better Talk Now's exercise rider. He is doing well after the Arlington Million. He has be out twice (training) across the fields. He will likely do that for a week. They are considering the Melbourne Cup as an option for him later in the fall. That would be TOO cool!
I created a separate folder on the discussion forums for Lost in the Fog. Here is contact information:
Attn: Greg Gilchrist
Golden Gate Field
1100 East Shore Highway
Berkeley, CA 94710
Dr. Richardson is getting ready to operate on a polar bear! The following is an excerpt:
Dr. Dean Richardson will operate on Alcor, the 750-pound polar bear with two badly broken bones just above his right paw, sometime next week at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, where Barbaro is being treated, officials said.
"This doctor is one of the best in the world and they've got a state-of-the-art medical facility," zoo spokesman Scott Mitchell said. "There couldn't be a better scenario, given the circumstances."
Update 482: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (friday night). I saw Michael Matz on my third set, we were behind the gate. The conversation behind the gate quickly turned to Lost in the Fog. Very sad. I want to thank Russell Baze for the time he gave me last night to provide us an interview, and some insight into The Fog. I also learned, after the interview, that not only did Russell ride seven winners yesterday, but he is on a nine race streak!.
The two year old I was riding was gate schooling. It was only his second time. We walked through the gate a couple of times, then walked him in, stood him and closed up the gates. We then opened them up, he walked out, nice and straight. He was very good for a second time visitor to the gate. I did learn this morning about his pedigree (from his owner). I used to gallop his mother, and she is now 21. (Yikes!)
update 7:45 am, saturday morning
Good news this morning for Bobby.
So terribly sad about LITF. God be with him.
My how time flies, doesn't it? :)
Posted by: Dee at August 19, 2006 11:53 AM