Barbaro Updates: 71
updates are now here.
Update 634: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (sunday night). This update came from Dr. Dean Richardson (who is now back from his seminar), via Michael Matz (Keeneland) to Peter Brette, this morning. Peter is planning to visit later today so will try to catch up with Peter again later.
Miraculous Miss seems to be in good shape after her great effort on saturday. I asked Lil (Klesaris) how she was this morning and she said she was doing well.
Update 633: Today's update on Barbaro will again be delayed, I don't anticipate hearing anything until at least lunchtime, since Michael is away at the Keeneland sales.
The Thoroughbred Times has a short article on Miraculous Miss' win on saturday: Miraculous Miss earns third straight graded stakes win in Endine which oddly does not mention why she had not run since her last win in April.
Bernardini worked for the first time since his facile Travers win: Bernardini Breezes in First Work Since Travers and it appears he is in very good order:
"He went great," said Tom Albertrani, who trains Bernardini for Darley Stable. "Honestly, this work was as good as ever.
"He came out of the Travers in great condition and, considering today was his first work since the race, he couldn't be doing any better."
Update 632: A nice interview by the Bloodhorse with Gretchen Jackson (today at Keeneland): Gretchen Jackson: It's Still Day to Day, But Barbaro 'Starting to Blossom', it includes the following two quotes:
"You're naturally guarded. But for a not medically-educated person such as me, in the last month since his crisis with laminitis, he seems to have gone so much in the right direction. He seems to use all four legs better to equal his weight, to spread his weight amongst four legs, to stand more. And he has never ceased from eating up a storm. Arms and legs included. He would like to grab your arm or leg or hand. He just is doing it all remarkably well. He's just phenomenal.
and
"Yes, it's day to day. I never have asked Dean (Richardson) when is he going to get out of here. I have never asked him. Maybe Dean doesn't either. It (Barbaro's recovery) doesn't seem to have gone back. We haven't had a crisis since the laminitis. His coat is shiny. He lost a lot of his tail. Did you know that? (It's from) balancing him coming out from operations; I don't know if its hands on him or what. But he lost a lot of his tail. But that's all coming back. Everything is just starting to blossom, and you want to see light at the end of the tunnel. We haven't had Dean say there is light is at the end of the tunnel."
Update 631: Peter visited Barbaro about lunchtime today and all remains well. He received a massage this morning too (Barbaro, not Peter!).
Sue McMullen sent me this e-mail reviewing racing in France today:
The three trials for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe were held at Longchamp today. The Prix Foy was won by Shirocco, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, who beat his stable mate Hurricane Run, ridden by Kieren Fallon. But you can't read too much into this as it was run at a pedestrian pace with the Arc contenders aware that the race is only a few weeks away. Fallon said Hurricane Run doesn't like small fields and tends to raise his game when the stakes are high, as we saw in the King George at Ascot. Shirocco is unbeaten this year and goes for the Arc then the Breeders Cup again, but this time he might go for the Classic. I wouldn't necessarily read too much into the form of this race as none of the Arc principals were going to be asked to do too much. It gave the two main Arc contenders, first and second in the betting, a nice workout.
The Prix Niel was won by another Andre Fabre trained horse, Rail Link, with Soumillon notching another victory, who beat Youmzain in a strong drive to the line.
The Prix Vermeille, for fillies and mares, was won by Mandesha, piloted by, guess who, Christophe Soumillon, who is owned by the Aga Khan's daughter Princess Zahra. Mandesha looked very impressive and she may be supplemented for the Arc, when her connections, including trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre have an opportunity to examine the timings.
Andre Fabre trains three of the first four in the betting for the Arc, Hurricane Run, then Shirocco, and third favourite Deep Impact, Japan's top horse, with Rail Link in fourth.
As usual, it will be some race.
The sportinglife adds a report: SHIROCCO CLAIMS HURRICANE SCALP. The Arc de Triomphe is the principal race for older horses in europe in the fall.
Update 630: Wendy offers a nice report on her visit with Lost in the Fog yesterday (saturday), its on the discussion boards: My Visit with Fog. It includes the following excerpt:
I walked back to Greg's barn and met him in his office. I introduced myself and we chatted for a short while. I had printed off the posts from yesterday morning so he could get an understanding of the website and what people have been posting. He pointed to the wall behind me and said, "Look! This is what I have received just today! There's so much that I have been sharing it with others." Then he said, "C'mon, let's go see the guy."
Update 629: Peter is planning to visit Barbaro around lunchtime today, after morning work in the barn, so I will catch up with him and get a report later (early afternoon I hope). You have made the paper: Barbaro's superfans. This is the article Kennett Florist refered to a couple of days ago in the local paper, I guess it has now only just gone online.
It is a georgeous morning again at Fair Hill. I did not have anything to ride but went to Tim's to see how Randy's Bullet and Gator Nation came out of their respective races yesterday at Laurel. They arrived back in the barn about 9:30 pm last night. Both looked well this morning. I saw Randy's Bullet shedrowing and then being led out for a pick of grass. He looked fine. Tim is now heading up to Monmouth to run Red Aspen in the sixth race.
Good Morning Sweet Prince! Hope you had ACN!
Hi Everyone! Candles are dwindling for Barbaro and LITF. Don't forget I'MA.
Enjoy your day!
Ro & Brady
Posted by: Rosemarie at September 10, 2006 12:51 PM