Barbaro Updates: 69
updates are now here.
Update 621: The discussion boards that we set up on 8/8/06 (a month ago) eclipsed 10,000 messages today. Amazing. Busiest day: yesterday (this site going down obviously helped that but..), 974 messages posted, 3429 visits (members and non members) and 181407 messages viewed.
Update 620: Racing around ... we have plenty of racing to follow tomorrow, unfortunately non of which is on network TV (or ESPN). Delaware Park has "owners day", which basically means the purses go up, they get a good card and offer some great food for those with the right tickets (this year I will get one)! The racing should be great. From Fair Hill we have Miraculous Miss making her long anticipated return, and she has been looking good in her recent works. Diabolical is also entered in the Kent for Steve Klesaris, he has done well since the Preakness. Michael Matz has plenty of runners (Peter will have a busy day), and I will have some great food! Tim has a couple of runners at Laurel, Randy's Bullet and Gator Nation, so I will have to keep an eye on those on the simulcast. I will also of course be following Showing Up's exploits at Belmont.
In europe there are two races of interest, the St Leger (third leg of their equivalent of the triple crown) and the Irish Champion Stakes. This is covered by the Daily Racing Form: Ouija Board-'Alexander' rematch, and below by our friend Sue McMullen:
plus we've got the Irish Champion Stakes this weekend. This, as you probably know, is ALWAYS one of the best races of the season. We've seen some magnificent battles over the years between the very best horses and this year's will be no exception. A mouth-watering clash between two of the best mares in the world, Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun, and the young pretender Dylan Thomas, who is joint favourite with Ouija Board. If Dylan were to win, he would have to overturn the trend of this season and win a Group One against his elders.
Winner of the Irish Derby by an impressive three-and-a-half lengths, Dylan Thomas will be at the mercy of the two wonderful mares who fought out a thrilling finish to the Group One Vodafone Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in one of the best Flat races this season. On that occasion the globe-trotting Oujia Board prevailed by a short-head over Alexander Goldrun, both mares fighting to the line, and should she win again it will take her tally of Group Ones to a magnificent seven.
Update 619: Just spoke to Peter Brette following his and Eduardo's visit to Barbaro. Barbaro remains comfortable. Peter was pretty upbeat. They did not take him out to graze as Michael had done this this morning, straight after Fair Hill, and on his way to Keeneland (sales next week I think). Eduardo groomed Barbaro. Its a short report but a good visit for all.
Rachel at Kennett Florist left this comment (timestamp: 2:30 pm):
As a collective group your voices are strong and we applaud each and everyone of you for all you have done! Thank you Tim, Alex, Mr and Mrs Jackson and everyone who stood up and let their voice be heard!! We will continue to fight with you for the good of all horses!
All was quiet with NBC when Alie went up yesterday afternoon. The reports we get are the same as Alex. Barbaro continues to be doing well. We brought his majesty some green tops and pears and had a nice basket for the blood donor horses.
We are in the process of throwing together a birthday party/surprise for Mike Rea! His birthday is next Tuesday (September 12) and we're hoping to surprise the heck out of him! I've talked to his sister Nancy to make sure what gifts, treats, etc we get are things that he will enjoy. My brother and sister in law are both physical therapists so they're helping me with some ideas that would be things that would also be useful. This family and this man are amazing, and whatever we can do to help support Mike, we will do!
God Bless Barbaro and all that have come together because of him!
WE BELIEVE!!
Update 618: I just spoke to Steve Willard, Giacomo's exercise rider. Giacomo worked again today. It was the last day for them at Del Mar, and they are now shipping back to Santa Anita. Steve said Giacomo is doing well. He had a little light breeze to stretch his legs and keep the wind in him (5/8ths 1:04 I think). They are basically putting the miles into him, and he is keeping good muscle tone. His mental condition remains good and he is eating well. I am not sure yet whether they have his next race planned.
Update 617: I just spoke to Barclay Tagg to get an update on Showing Up. He jogged back to the gate today. He stood in the gate, and he also paddock schooled a little. Sounds like a nice quiet day before his big race tomorrow. Showing Up is the first of the three year old "big guns" to take on older horses, in the Man o' War. Good luck to Barclay and the Jacksons. Here is the Daily Racing Form's review of the race: Showing Up faces hotter competition, excerpt:
Having easily handled 3-year-olds in two turf stakes, Showing Up will face older horses for the first time in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park. He will face Grade 1 winners Cacique, Relaxed Gesture, and Go Deputy in the Man o' War, run at 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course.
I asked Barclay if Showing Up will train tomorrow before the race. , He said he would likely jog a little.
Peter is heading over to visit Barbaro early afternoon. He is taking Eduardo with him, so this will be Eduardo's first visit in quite a while. I'll get an update later from Peter. Eduardo was very grateful for the gift basket I forwarded to him, very grateful.
Update 616: As I noted in update 615, Michael Matz reported this morning all remained well for Barbaro yesterday. It is another gorgeous morning this morning at Fair Hill.
Sorry, the site crashed yesterday, coincidentally just as the congress vote was coming in, and now we know: House votes to ban horse slaughter for food. I am amazed at everyone's efforts, but there is still a road ahead to get things completed. Lots of discussion on this issue on the discussion boards.
Lost in the Fog underwent his forst Chemotherapy session: Lost in the Fog has his first chemotherapy treatment, an excerpt:
Lost in the Fog, the 2005 Eclipse sprint champion, had his first of six planned chemotherapy treatments at the University of California at Davis on Thursday.
and
Magdesian said that Lost in the Fog's blood work would be monitored closely between treatments as would his bone marrow. Lost in the Fog's chemotherapy sessions will be spaced three weeks apart.
Yea!!
Hello Alex, Bobby and Barbaro Family,
Great to see the site up and running again.
Janice
Posted by: Janice from Florida at September 8, 2006 11:51 AM