Barbaro Updates: 65
updates are now here.
Update 597: Another comfortable day for Barbaro. Just spoke to Peter Brette who had heard from Michael Matz, who visited Bobby this afternoon.
Update 596: Returning to Fair Hill, I had three more to ride after the break. Two of which were nicely uneventful, one of which was intent to try to remove me from the saddle (rearing, leaping and lunging). Fortunately luck prevailed, although I had to apologise for some colourful language. Tim breezed Red Aspen and Gator Nation after the break on the woodchips. Tim was on Red Aspen and Jesus Bracho (Fair Hill's resident jockey) was on Gator Nation. The 5/8ths breeze seemed to go well for all concerned.
Perhaps slightly off topic (perhaps not), but it seems the animal world lost a real hero and advocate, Steve Irwin: A Huge Loss to the Animal World. One of you had recently written to Steve about the Wild Animal Sanctuary closure in Colorado: The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado is being forced to close it's doors. Lets hope Steve's tremendous legacy continues!
Update 595: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). I saw Michael Matz as I was on my way to the woodchip track for my third set. He had heard from Dr. Richardson, who has now returned from his vacation.
Mondays are usually a little chaotic at the track, many horses have had the sunday off and are pretty "fresh". Given the weather we had saturday, quite a few horses will have had two days off. This monday did include a loose horse early on the woodchip track. I cannot name the rider, she said she would not speak to me again if I did, but all was well. Barclay Tagg (who must be in town just for the day) caught the horse by the gap (it was not one of his). I asked Barclay again about Funny Cide, he said they had him thoroughly checked over and he seems fine.
I also caught up with Graham Motion, and asked him for a job. His immediate response "What happened ?" I then mentioned I just wanted to go with Better Talk Now to the Melbourne Cup. I tried to convince him that he really needs someone on his team with Melbourne Cup experience (I know where the closest bar to the paddock is located etc.) He smiled. It seems they will make a decision in the next couple of days about running, there are a few things they need to sort through before a decision to run can be made. It will certainly be a very sporting venture if they do go.
update 8:20 am, september 4
Update 594: Bo Derek was on ABC yesterday discussing the Anti Horse-Slaughter legislation: Perfect '10' Actress Rallies for Horses, she even makes reference to Barbaro in her short clip. The vote on this issue is scheduled for September 7, so this will be a busy week. The discussion boards are very active on this issue.
It looks more and more likely that Better Talk Now will be pointed for the Melbourne Cup: Better Talk Now pointed for Melbourne Cup. I need to see if I can get a job with Graham! What a great adventure this would be. I witnessed Makybe Diva's first Melbourne Cup victory, and having been to many races around the world, this was my most memorable racing experience.
It does beg the question, why don't US-based horses compete for the Melbourne Cup. A couple of reasons might include, timing (its the same week as the Breeders Cup), and the distance of the race (its way too far for many of the horses in the US who are used to a mile and a half being an absolute marathon). Anyway, the Melbourne Cup is known as the race that stops a nation (it actually stops two nations when you include New Zealand). It is so refreshing to see how our sport really can be capture the imagination of countries in such a significant way, if only for a day.
We have been voted with a Yeah (I thought that was pretty cool)! The Barbaro update this morning may be a little late, I am not sure. It is Labor Day, but this does not impact training horses, i.e. Fair Hill will be business as usual. That being said, it might be tough for me to get the update up until a little later.
Good morning, Bobby, and a Happy Labor Day to all! :) Hope you have another good day, Bobby, will be lighting my daily candle for you! Enjoy the beautiful sunshine and green grass!
Posted by: Ruth Ann at September 4, 2006 9:39 AM