Barbaro Updates: 51
updates are now here.
Update 502: Polar Bear Has Surgery in Chester County is a nice article that combines Alcor, Bobby and our friends from Kennett Florist. Kennett Florist had this short report today (timestamp 8:31pm):
Lots of activity at NBC today. The press is even back in town... everyone's excited about the polar bear being there!
We put on our caterer's hat again today, but for the first time, it was lunch. We delivered pizzas, salads and soda for all the very hungry staff. They were all very excited and send their thanks to all who contributed. The pizzas were gone in minutes! We had a special side of carrots and treats for our boy, because he should be pampered as well. Thanks to everyone, lunch was a lot of fun, and very much appreciated!
WE BELIEVE!!
Dave Letell reported on Bobby's last work for the Kentucky Derby (timestamo 8:23 pm):
Why Barbaro is a "Superhorse" and how he crushed the best field in the "Derby" in the last thirty-five years.
Barbaro had an unconventional breeze at Churchill-fast and a very long stride (over 25 feet). His internal speed figures were super, best of the week. Barbaro never really quickened--he simply extended his long stride down the stretch and showed complete superiority. He had a stride length of 24 feet going into the first turn, on the backstretch and on the far turn. He maintained the same basic speed for each quarter to the end--but when he hit the stretch, he extended his stride length to 24.9 feet. Thus, he covered the last quarter in fewer strides than he took for each previous quarter. For another horse to beat him that horse would have to have been on even terms at the quarter pole and had a stride length of a minimum of 25 feet down the stretch. And that would have been a real stretch.
I remember Peter Brette describing this breeze, basically saying it seemed he took four strides down the lane.
Update 501: The Bearbaro report from New Bolton: Polar bear's broken leg repaired at Penn's Widener Hospital
Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery at Penn's George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, today operated on Alcor, a 750-pound polar bear from the Erie Zoo. Dr. Richardson is the surgeon treating Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro; he was assisted in today's surgery by Dr. James Orsini, Dr. Jessica Dahlberg and Dr. Liberty Getman.
"It was an extremely difficult surgery," said Dr. Richardson. "The ulna was broken just above the carpus (the wrist) and we were able to repair it satisfactorily with two Synthes locking compression plates. However, the radius was shattered in too many pieces to allow accurate reconstruction, so we used a single plate to partially stabilize it."
Alcor's broken bones were just above his right paw; zoo officials do not know how he broke his leg, but they suspect he did it while playing with his brother Mizar, another 7-year-old bear who has been at the zoo with Alcor since 2001.
"His prognosis is guarded," said Dr. Richardson. "He is a very large animal and it will be impossible to fully protect the area post-operatively. He will have to take good care of himself."
Update 500: Another comfortable day for Barbaro today. I just spoke to Kathy Anderson, who was just leaving New Bolton Center (5:45 pm). She was with Michael Matz as Michael was grazing Barbaro. All is well. Kathy then provided a quick "Bearbaro" report (she said it not me). Apparently there are plenty of media trucks at New Bolton following this story. Kathy saw Alcor being lifted back into his refrigerated truck, post surgery, I guess going elswhere for recovery.
Wow, update 500, who knew!
Update 499: A nice Barbaro editorial halfway through this article, quite refreshing. I am hoping to get another Barbaro update later today, Kathy Anderson said she might visit, she has not been able to visit for a little while.
Anna has a nice image of my reporting endevours! and someone spotted me "behind the gate".
Update 498: I am playing around with the search feature on the site. Please leave a comment below if the site is not displaying properly for you (i.e. the update content is not where it should be when you click on an update).
A couple of Lost in the Fog tributes, the first is over at J. Carson Black: Lost in the Fog. The second, a poem by WM & CL, comments timestamp: 2:45 pm:
BARBARO's TRIBUTE TO LOST IN THE FOG
Remember the good times friends have together.
That's what helps endure all kinds of weather.
Who knew what time her story would tell,
As Barbaro gets better to bid farewell.
He sees like we do that Lost In The Fog,
Spend time with Greg Gilchrist & the family dog.
While our Bobby enjoys more freedom each day,
Grazing on grass and prize Timothy mix hay.
He understands what it means for best friends apart.
He whinnies so softly that you're just as smart.
He'll whisper some prayers your pain stays at bay.
Let His Light of Hope keep fears and doubts away.
He knows what it is like to suffer the blues,
He wishes so much better recovery cues.
Though times may be tough in the weeks ahead,
Maybe months left to rest in your special bed.
Just enjoy your time breathing fresh air and love.
Heaven's own gift to you from ALL His Angels above.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that plays a tribute for you,
You were the best sprinter of any horse we knew.
Until Barbaro came of age and ran alongside your race.
In sleep's dreams you'll relive Bay Shore's first place.
2005 was your winning year with Eclipse Award.
Spending quiet times with your traineris more reward.
Why do you mean so much to Greg?
Is a horse more than speed of leg?
What makes Barbaro and Lost In The Fog the same?
Are they not greater than horse flesh by name?
Why do we find it so hard to understand,
The answer stares squarely upon one's own hand.
A horsewhisper for Barbaro can clearly foresee,
These two extraordinary horses are like you and me.
That's what Gilchrist knew all along,
when Lost In The Fog won more than furlong,"
"This horse is like a brother to me"
Replied Greg to ESPN and Horseracing TV.
Continuing Lost In the Woods tribute he finds,
These immortal words that might change others' minds--
"More respect for this horse than most people I deal with"
"If he were human...you want to be around him"--no myth.
It will be a tough time for him to bear,
While Lost In The Woods gets top home care.
Returning to Golden Gates Fields Sunday mid-noon,
Barbaro sends his best wishes to be with Greg soon.
The two will find time like Mike Matz and Barbaro.
The bond between trainer and horse beyond high and low.
Let us not shed sorrowful tears today,
Rather rejoice in their union as we pray.
If there's something to learn when all's said and done,
Barbaro's Champion spirit sends blessings to everyone.
"Celebrate each day as if it were your last"
"Take nothing for granted in the present or past."
"Find joy in the day's moments shared together with you."
Barbaro whispers, "dearest Eclipse Sprinter like Seattle Slew."
So with horsewhispering wisdom left here to see,
"May you be as pampered like they do me at NBC."
"Your groom Pascual Garcia will caress you with love."
"Just as Seabiscuit, Your Honor, Secretariat above."
And finally a note on the journey to NBC for the polar bear Alcor: Dr. R and his new patient, Alcor.
Update 497: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). Just saw Michael Matz as I was heading to the track on my third set. He had just spoken to Dean Richardson who also noted that he is planning to prepare for surgery on the polar bear today.
It's an absolutely gorgeous morning here at Fair Hill although my early guiding light, the moon, seems to have all but disappeared.
updated monday 7:05am
Update 496: A great article from the New York Times: With Loving and Costly Care, Barbaro's Long Odds Improve notes Barbaro's current status. The following are excerpts:
"He's been very, very good on his legs," said Dr. Dean Richardson, his surgeon and the man who leads him outside each day. "It's exciting. He's improving."
Dr. Richardson warned that Barbaro was hardly out of the woods and that a full recovery would not be evident for months. Still, he said he was encouraged by the progress.
On July 13, Dr. Richardson had to compose himself when he announced that laminitis had ravaged Barbaro's left hind hoof wall and that the chances of survival were poor. Now, his hoof wall is growing back, and his fractured right hind leg appears to be mending, Dr. Richardson said. But he cautioned that until the cast was removed, he could not be certain the leg would be strong enough to bear Barbaro's weight.
"I think he's got a 50-50 shot," said Dr. Richardson, echoing the prognosis he gave May 21, after performing an operation on the colt's leg for more than five hours. "He's back to that level. Now, if you would have asked me the same question six weeks ago, I would have told you they were a lot -- a lot -- less than that."
and
Not only has Barbaro not shown signs of distress, he appears to be growing stronger each day. The foam sneaker is changed daily as the veterinarians continue to watch for the regrowth of his hoof wall.
"I go over there with the grass because I love him and want to break up his day," Gretchen Jackson said. "Now that he is getting outside, he is an even happier horse."
The following is a nice article on Lost in the Fog's trainer Greg Gilchrist: Trainer lost in the heartache. An excerpt:
He didn't want to go and he's a guy who loves going to the sales.
He wanted to be back at his home base at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco. You can't blame the trainer for that.
He wanted desperately to be there so he could be with Lost in the Fog, the best horse he ever trained.
Good morning, Bobby...I hope you've had ACN. You're doing so good and the Doc is getting excited. Keep it up, champ! I love you! XOXOX
Posted by: Jo Edwards at August 21, 2006 9:07 AM