Barbaro Updates: 53
updates are now here.
Update 517: Barbara Livingston's album of St. Liam.
Update 516: Just spoke to Peter Brette (5:30 pm), and while he as been at the Fair Hill barn all day he had just heard from Michael. Barbaro has had another good day.
Update 515: A quick update from Rachel at Kennett Florist (timestamp: 8:29 pm):
Lots to do at NBC today! We had breakfast for the staff; bagels, spreads, fruit salad, juice and coffee. They were piled high in the main area before Alie could finish setting up. Much appreciation was expressed as usual.
This afternoon when I went up with our treats for Bobby and staff I had a chance to ask if the Jackson's would be invited to Friday's event, and they are going to extend the invitation. Also heard from a staff member that they were going to get a total on the Barbaro fund donations that have been made in Dr R's honor and present him with that in a card on Friday. It's just so exciting! We're working on finilizing all the gifts... will post about them after Friday, incase anyone is snooping LOL!
Also, passed Sabina as we were heading in (she held the door for us) and was hoping to have a chance to talk to her, but she was gone by the time I got out. Can't wait to post for you all on Friday! Thanks again for everything!!
WE BELIEVE!!
The post position draw has occured for the Travers: Classic Winner Bernardini Even-Money Favorite in Travers with Bernardini drawing post position 5:
With a compact field in the Travers and a long run to the first turn, post positions will not be extremely important. Bernardini drew post 5 with jockey Javier Castellano.
"The horse makes it a lot easier for Javier," Albertrani said. "He's easy to rate and he never fights the rider. Javier is very patient with him and never overreacts."
The following poem Barbaro's Goodnight Whisperer includes the following horse banter:
Still, Barbaro wishes Bernardini and Bluegrass Cat Good News.
To Preakness and Haskell Winners - sporting their lucky horseshoes,
"Yahoo Jim Dandy King" - dominating one the toughest races,
"May Luck ride with you Bluegrass Cat at Travers, next of this week's races."
"Would have loved to see it for myself," says Barbaro beaming wide.
Bernardini tosses a look his way saying, "rather had you by my side."
"Competitive sports with friendly banter, that's what I love to see,"
snorts Blue Grass Cat through video cam jamming just like Bernadini.
Update 514: Dave Wallace, assistant trainer for Tom Albertrani, has agreed to provide us brief updates on Bernardini as we approach the Travers. He noted how well Bernardini worked yesterday (see update 511 for details of the work). Dave said that as he was watching him start his breeze, you would not know he was breezing unless you were clocking him. Anyway, they were very pleased with the work and he has come out of the breeze in very good shape. Today Bernardini walked in the shedrow (note: this is quite usual the day after a work). Tomorrow he will return to the track, and gallop a little bit. I'll catch up with Dave tomorrow to follow up.
Update 513: Here is the CBS video: Barbaro's recovery update. The video footage was filmed yesterday, tuesday. This is a must see!
Text version (links to video): 'Thrilled' About Barbaro's Progress There is an extended version to the video, under the header "Barbaro's Steps to Recovery", listed under the video on the right hand column.
Update 512: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (tuesday night). Just saw Michael Matz coming on to the track for my third set. Michael did mention that Dean Richardson had said Barbaro will be on TV this morning. I think he said 7:30am on CBS.
Another beautiful morning in Fair Hill. I am currently jogging around on Chappy as I talk...holding on to the neck strap with my left hand!
updated 7:05am
edit, it was on CBS, not PBS, lets hope their is a video clip online.
Update 511: Bernardini worked on tuesday (Albertrani looks to a big weekend) in preparation for the Travis, going 5/8ths in 1:02.12. This will be the last of three works he has had since his facile win in the Jim Dandy. Excerpt:
With exercise rider Simon Harris aboard, Bernardini went in fractions of 13.08 seconds, 25.91, 38.00, and 50.12 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.36. He pulled up seven furlongs in 1:28.39. It was his third and final move in between his nine-length Jim Dandy score and the Travers.
"It looked like he worked really good this morning, looked like he was just galloping down the lane,'" said Albertrani, who moved the work up from Wednesday to beat potential wet weather.
This appears to be a nice easy work, where he quickened slightly in the final quarter. I assume it was designed just to keep him ready for saturday. He will probably just do a couple of routine gallops in the meantime.
The Bloodhorse also noted the work: Trainer Albertrani Has Bull's-Eye on Back and includes information on the likely field:
Expected to challenge Bernardini in the Travers is Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) winner Bluegrass Cat, Minister's Bid, Doctor Pleasure, High Cotton, and Hesanoldsalt.
"I think post position will play a little bit of importance in this race," Albertrani said. "I would rather be on the outside of High Cotton and Bluegrass Cat. We're just going to run our race and whatever happens is going to happen."
I think (not certain) the post position draw is today.
Here is a little more on poor St. Liam from the Daily Racing Form: Saint Liam dies after freak fall, excerpt:
"Apparently he was just goofing off, and he fell," Bramlage said. "Horses' legs are made to go front-to-back very efficiently, but they don't go side-to-side very well. Somehow he got his leg underneath him and just so happened to land on top of the leg."
Bramlage said the horse arrived at the hospital at approximately 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The decision to euthanize the horse was made approximately 45 minutes later after Saint Liam's broken leg was radiographed.
"On the X-rays you could see that there wasn't anyplace at all where you could put any screws to stabilize the leg," Bramlage said. "There were no options to stabilize it or put it in a cast."
Bramlage also said that the fracture had broken the skin, and that "infection was an issue."
Thoroughbred Times: Saint Liam euthanized because of leg fracture and Bloodhorse: Horse of the Year Saint Liam Dead.
Good morning, Bobby...I hope you're just waking up after another comfortable night. I'm going to make toast and coffee and watch the live world equestrian games while I wait for Alex's morning update...it's dressage which always amazes me!
I love you, Bobby! XOXOX
Posted by: Jo (UK) at August 23, 2006 9:02 AM