Barbaro Updates: 63
updates are now here.
Update 588: Both Brother Derek and Bob and John were beaten in their first starts since the Triple Crown: Cindago Tops Bob and John in El Cajon; Brother Derek Fades, excerpt:
Brother Derek, off since back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness (both gr. I) in May, did not have the easiest of returns for trainer Dan Hendricks. He was a step slow getting away from the gate and pulled jockey Alex Solis to the leaders while stuck four wide on the clubhouse turn. He continued to prompt the pace to the far turn but fell back while racing between horses as they came off the bend. He finished a tired fourth.
Update 587: Peter just called (5:45 pm) and Barbaro remains comfortable, Michael had visited and spoke to Peter. Another good day. Peter is planning a visit tomorrow.
Don't forget, 7 pm vigil for Barbaro and Lost in the Fog. Whereever you are, whatever you are doing, spare some thoughts for Bobby and the Fog.
Update 586: Woodward odds and ends. Congratulations to Premium Tap and John Kimmel. John Kimmel used to have a string at Fair Hill, and along time ago I used to freelance for him. The result seems to highlight that the three year old division is the stronger division at this point and will likely yeild the horse of the year. I also see Corey Black has been added to the broadcast crew. He has had a pretty "interesting" racing career. Was a great apprentice jockey many years ago in California, was more recently agent for Gary Stevens (now retired), and then last year he came east with a jockey to be his agent. He would also gallop / breeze (I guess as part of his agent duties) and come over to Fair Hill a few days a week.
Update 585: Apparently we are not the only ones where bad weather is impacting racing (Philadelphia Park and Monmouth cancelled, hoping for a fast track for Funny in Saratoga), its a bog in England! Sue McMullen just sent me this e-mail about the feature race at Haydock Park today (Haydock Park Sprint comes down to two):
The big sprint at Haydock was today and it was won by Reverence, who of course beat Enticing in the Nunthorpe. It was nice for the horse to win again as some felt he was lucky in the Nunthorpe as he had the ground in his favour. You couldn't even argue that he had his ground (soft) as it was pretty desperate in the north of England today. They were baling water off the course before the first and Thirsk was abandoned after three races. So it was heavy even for Reverence and would have tapped his stamina. I believe the time was 2.7 secs slower than standard, which is a lot for a six furlong race. All credit to Reverence for plugging his way through a bog.
Update 584: Spoke to Barclay Tagg (10 am) and Funny Cide was on his way over to the detention barn (I think they have to be there six hours before their race) in preparation for this afternoon's feature race, The Woodward. Funny Cide jogged this morning, a quiet bit of exercise. So far so good, there is no rain in Saratoga, yet. Barclay asked about the weather down here, I am not sure he was too thrilled with the answer (rain and wind). Here is a nice article on Funny Cide for today: Funny Cide's glorious return. The article concludes:
Win, place or show, Saturday they will be showing up to watch the horse who once showed the world that anything was possible. And for this, just seeing him again will be good enough.
I thought it was appropriate to highlight the efforts of those on this site wrt the anti horse-slaughter bill: OUR PROGRESS SO FAR.... This is only one example of all the generosity (time and reesources) of those of you on this site.
Finally, Mike seems to be settling in well to his new spot: Hello Again from Mike and Family!!!!!!!! and apparently is finding his sense of humour!
Edit: added Funny Cide article
Update 583: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (friday night). As I suspected, I had to go to Michael's barn to get the update (he had heard from Dr. Richardson). There is not much training going on other than that done in each barn's respective shedrows. I shedrowed two for Tim, but was pretty glad to get out of there. I suspect Fair Hill might be a little busy tomorrow if the storm clears out. Michael also mentioned that Dr. Richardson is returning from his vacation today.
update 7:40 am, saturday, september 2
Update 582: Here is the assessment of Fog by UC Davis, and I assume this was published before the Bloodhorse piece that indicated they were going to begin Chemotherapy: Lost in the Fog Update -- Sept. 1, 2006, relevant excerpt:
Lost in the Fog was very bright, alert, comfortable, eating well, and physically looked very good and in good spirits. He has not shown any signs of abdominal discomfort this week. The tumor in his spleen and the second tumor high in the abdomen between his kidneys and below his spinal column have not changed in size during the past two weeks, and no new tumors were detected in the spleen or liver or other abdominal or thoracic organs.
These findings indicate that the dexamathasone treatment has controlled the previously rapid growth of the tumors but has not caused them to shrink.
The location and size of the tumor high in the abdomen precludes the possibility that it can be removed surgically; however, chemotherapy remains an option, with the goal of inducing remission of the tumor masses.
The Thoroghbred Times also reports on Fog's current condition: Lost in the Fog to undergo chemotherapy treatments.
It is a wet, blustery morning this morning. This will certainly make training more complicated. No doubt the dirt track will be shut again, but the wood chip track will be open, and I bet a few trainers will send a few horses out there. The barn shedrows will be the busy training spots today as most horsemen will jog / walk their horses around their respective shedrows. For salaried riders, days like today are obviously not a problem. For freelancers, we only get paid for what we ride, so today will not be profitable!
It may also be a little tricky to get the Barbaro update early this morning, its likely I will need to venture over to Michael Matz's barn, so I do anticipate a delay.
Good morning, Bobby, Alex and all...
Thanks for the update and the late Bobby news warning. We have an expression over here where the kids go crazy in the playground on blustery days...
"they've got the wind up their tails!"
I wonder if this comes from horses being affected by windy weather?
Here's hoping that Bobby and Fog have had a comfortable night and a have a good day ahead. And I also hope it's a good day for all horses racing, and they come home safe and sound.
Posted by: Jo (UK) at September 2, 2006 9:50 AM