Barbaro Updates: 99
updates are now here.
Update 808: The USA Today story I highlighted this morning is actually on the front page of their paper today, along with a lovely headshot. I was talking to someone about another project I am supposed to be working on (have not started) and she noted Barbaro was on CNN this morning. I love that he is in the main stream media.
OK, those of you who have a fear for their dentist will empathize with this. Imagine you have a toothache, which comes and goes. At times it gets pretty bad, but then it goes away. You know you need to go to the dentist, but you keep putting it off. Now you have made your mind up, and you are committed to your trip to the dentist. You know it may hurt, and actually may be quite painful, but you hope it will cure the toothache you have been experiencing. OK, that is how I feel about needing to move this site to a dedicated server, which is going to happen, I hope, over the next 24 - 36 hours. There may be glitches, but I am hoping that after the move, all will be well, and the problems we have had will be behind us. Therefore if the site behaves badly over the next 24 - 36 hours, you know why (or at least you will know it is a result of us trying to fix the site more permanently).
Update 807: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (tuesday night). I saw Michael Matz and his crew coming to the track after I had finished my second set. While they were approaching me Michael and others in his set were making light hearted remarks about some (hurdle) schooling efforts of Michael McCarthy (x Delaware jockey) that was going on outside a neighboring barn. This light hearted banter was a good signal things were well with Barbaro.
Another warm morning this morning at Fair Hill, although it seems rain may be coming in a little later. My first set was a mile gallop, after a 3/4 mile jog. The second set we went to the gate. The 2yo I was on had been to the gate before, but not at Fair Hill, and thus not with me. We cantered out of the gate, he was pretty good really.
update 7:55 am
Update 806: A nice article in the USA Today: Against all odds, Barbaro perseveres, it also includes some new pictures. The following are a couple of excerpts:
A surgical resection was done July 12, resulting in the removal of 80% of the hoof wall from Barbaro's left hind foot. That also explains the white sign with blue lettering that greets visitors at the entrance to the facility: "Grow Hoof Grow."
The sign is the first indication, but hardly the last, of an unwavering show of support for Barbaro.
The New Bolton lobby is filled with tributes, including 12 oversized cards from Churchill Downs. Beneath the heading "Once a Derby winner, always a Derby winner" are greetings from scores of fans:
"Hi, Barbaro. I hope you get well soon. Love, Mia."
"Best wishes, Barbaro. You're a winner and you'll pull through. Much love, Jim."
and
"He loves pushing people around. He absolutely knows he's the big boss horse," Richardson says. "He's got lots of star power -- and he knows it."
Barbaro has not required pain medication for close to six weeks. His right hind leg, with 27 screws used to repair fractured cannon, sesamoid and long pastern bones, is becoming increasingly stable. His cast was changed Monday. His left hoof is growing gradually.
If it's too soon to declare Barbaro a medical marvel, his comeback is further evidence of the fortitude that helped him to the largest Derby winning margin, 61/2 lengths, since Assault's 8-length rout in '46.
I was actually interviewed for this article, but did not make it to the final piece. The Daily Pennsylvanian (University of Pennsylvania's School paper) called up last night for a brief interview, so that piece might be coming out later this week. They were looking for others to contact them for the story: Daily Pennsylvanian Article. Now that will be fun to be in, I worked at Penn for about seven years.
The Barbaro update should be about 8 am again.
Update 805: I just spoke to Peter Brette (6:15 pm), Barbaro had a good day after the cast change yesterday. Peter had spoken to Michael who had visited. Barbaro had been out and looked comfortable.
I spoke to Steve Willard (Giacomo's exercise rider) earlier today. They were happy with his race in the Goodwood, especially the way he finished (he was third to Lava Man and Brother Derek). The extra eighth of a mile in the Breeders' Cup Classic may well suite him. They are looking to that race for now. Giacomo seems to have come out of saturday's race well.
Update 804: The rest of this morning at Fair Hill went well. I breezed Chappy on the turf, across the road on the steeplechase track. It was actually the first time I had breezed one on the turf for many years. She went well, she stretched out nicely coming up the hill from the quarter pole to the wire.
As I was going over to the turf track I passed Graham Motion's set coming back. Better Talk Now galloped over the turf course. There is still no decision as to his next start (Canada or the Breeders' Cup.) It seems Film Maker came out of her Belmont race well. She has yet to train, but will likely tomorrow. Round Pond, Michael Matz's mare, actually did train today. I think Peter took her out back, and also appears to have come out of her race well.
Barclay Tagg was at Fair Hill this morning. He said Showing Up will likely race on saturday at Belmont, in the Jamaica. Funny Cide is being pointed for a race the following saturday, a New York Bred stake: Empire Classic.
Update 803: New Bolton's update regarding the cast change yesterday Veterinarians change Barbaro's right hind leg cast:
Veterinarians at Penn's George D. Widener Hospital changed Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's cast yesterday, Monday, October 9. "We placed Barbaro under general anesthesia to remove the old cast on his right hind limb and took new radiographs to assess the continued healing of the original injuries," said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. "I was pleased with the continued progression of healing and the overall condition of this leg." Barbaro had another successful pool-recovery, and was resting comfortably in his stall after the procedure. In addition to replacing the cast, doctors trimmed his feet and applied a new shoe on the right hind foot. A few hours after recovery, he was taken back outside to graze and was comfortable on both hind legs.
"There are no signs of infection and the primary incisions have healed surprisingly well," said Dr. Richardson. "Because he has had a cast on for so long, there are a few cast sores, but nothing serious."
Barbaro's left hind foot, which had laminitis, continues to gradually improve. "There is good growth along the quarters (closer to the heel) but there will need to be much more healing along the front of the hoof," said Dr. Richardson, who cautioned that "we still have many months of healing ahead of us."
Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pennsylvania's George D. Widener Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered at the Preakness on May 20.
The next update will be posted on Tuesday, October 17, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro's condition.
Good Morning, Fans of Barbaro!
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First of all, Friar Tuck, please tell MM she is astounding me. For everybody else, if there is ANYTHING you want to manifest, this is the week to write it down then pray and meditate on it...energy peaks on the 17th/18th. Expect the unexpected.
Jake, my heart goes out to you, your mom and Daisy. It reminds me of a cat I had - Shadow (nicknamed Bullet Butt after Calvin and Hobbes). He was a beautiful silver tiger cat - had a tumor on his heart and went quickly. He was the best cat to be raised with Sam - two of them were inseparable.
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gotta ask for prayers for Avi - can't go into detail, but he's trying very hard to communicate to his owner. Pray that his message comes thru. I already know and have communicated it to his owner - just need to have her open her heart just a little more to understand. I need to save this horse.
LITF, you are an angel, my Long Time Sun. If you can, please let those who miss you here feel your shining presence...let them know you're OK.
Barbaro, am very happy to hear about the cast change. You know what you need to do. Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Judge, boy did you ever get busted...but I would have tried the same thing...:)
Alex, heard from Sherry in AZ...she will also be at Fair Hill on Saturday morning around 9 or so. She is gonna have a neat time here...she is so excited and I can't wait to meet her. Anybody else want to come to FH? I'd love to meet more of "the family".
Gotta get back to calling and e-mailing "the 6" and Sen. Santorum.
Take care, everybody,
Healing, Love, Peace,
Lyn Gilbert
Posted by: Lyn Gilbert at October 10, 2006 2:58 PM