Barbaro Updates: 120
updates are now here.
Update 959: No update yet this morning (as has been typical this week) but news last night from the awards dinner suggests they are contemplating removing Barbaro's cast and replacing it with a splint: Barbaro's vet says cast on injured leg could come off next week, excerpt:
Dr. Dean Richardson said Wednesday night that Barbaro has been walking so well lately, that "we're probably going to be removing the cast next week."
The cast would be replaced by a splinted bandage. The 3-year-old colt's left hind foot continues to grow back after 80% of the hoof was removed when laminitis struck in mid-July.
"He still does not have a normal left hind foot," Richardson said. "He still needs a normal hind foot before he can live a normal life as a horse. He still has a long way to go."
I caught up with Barclay Tagg briefly. Showing Up is preparing for the Hollywood Derby (November 26) and NoBiz for the Remsen (November 25). Both are doing well. Funny Cide is having a couple of months off, and will be brought back to the races in the winter. I asked Barclay for his Breeders' Cup Classic prediction, no question, Bernardini!
Update 958: The Barbaro update will again be later this morning.
Tragedy has struck during preparations for the Melbourne Cup (tuesday, televised on HRTV), Sue McMullen sent this e-mail:
A sad reminder that we are never far from tradedy with our racehorses. Tragedy has struck the Melbourne Cup, following news that UK trainer David Elsworth's contender Wunderwood had to be euthanised ater a training incident in which he sustained multiple fractures to his pastern during a warm up for a gallop at Mornington racececourse. Initially it was thought he'd merely pulled off a shoe but it soon became apparent that the damage was much worse and they had little choice but to end his suffering as he was in a lot of pain.
A distraught David Elseworth told www.racingvictoria.net.au: "It's the worst kind of thing that can happen. We live with these horses and we get very close to them. It's upsetting and it's like losing a friend or a member of the family."
The new synthetic track at Hollywood Park was tested for the first time under racing conditions yesterday: Cushion Track Praised as Hollywood Opens, and looks to have been well received. The following is an excerpt:
Trainer Richard Mandella has 32 stalls at Hollywood and is having to keep part of his large stable at Santa Anita. He said that not only does he like the new surface, he feels it is keeping jockeys from rushing horses early.
"It's obvious you don't want to let them go running off the first quarter for no good reason," Mandella said. "We've been doing that in California for too long, and it makes for boring racing and injury to the horses. I think that in itself is going to be a safety factor. Letting them get their legs under them and then get going, I think, is going to make for safer, more exciting racing."
Obviously Richard Mandella's words are high praise indeed for this type of racing surface. While I have never raced on dirt, I have breezed many horses on it, and been on the losing end of many breezes. Having the dirt hit you in the face is really unpleasant, so I can see how jockeys will gladly change their racing tactics without the kickback.
Update 957: Sue McMullen provides this update on the european contingent for the Breeders' Cup:
A mixed reaction from the European camp following the post draw, but most of the major contenders have fared well, including Ouija Board (Frankie Dettori) who drew 2 in the Fillies and Mares. However, it is not the draw that is the worry now but the weather and trainer Ed Dunlop will be watching the skies over Churchill with some trepidation following today's rain and wintry conditions. While the mare will act on yielding going (she won at Lone Star on ground that was less than ideal for her) she does prefer fast ground so it is a concern. In contrast, her European opponent in the race, the French filly Satwa Queen (Thierry Thulliez), drew 9 and will relish the ground. In her most recent outing she ran second to useful filly Mandesha in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp and she is also fresh having been lightly raced this year, in contrast to Ouija Board who has had a hard season. But even Satwa Queen's trainer Jeande Roualle acknowledges she is an outsider and unlikely to beat an in-form Ouija, who is a champion mare and he would be happy to finish second to her. Whether or not Ouija is beginning to feel the effects of a long season we will find out on Saturday.
Gorgeous George drew 4 for the Classic and goes eyeball to eyeball with Bernadini who drew 3, so he's got one heck of a pacemaker to aim for when he closes. Aiden O'Brien is sticking to the party line and insisting that if George can overcome just about every obstacle under the sun, he has the ability to pull it off as he is such a gifted horse. We all know how gifted he is but we also know that the nearest Danehills' get to dirt is crossing the track to reach the turf, but George won't know this and we're all hoping there's a first time. Most important of all, we want him back in one piece and after that, we don't want him to suffer the same humiliation as Dylan Thomas who just couldn't handle the dirt and trailed in last. This would be a sad end to the career of such an imperious individual and ironically, on a track that many in the US would like to see replaced.
David Junior (Jamie Spencer) drew 7 in the Classic and following the change in weather, trainer Brian Meehan is fatalistic about the going conditions for both him and his Turf runner Red Rocks (Frankie Dettori).Trainers can do a great deal to prepare a horse, but they can't do anything about the weather. David Junior has been schooling at home to help him break well from the gate, which is critical for this race, and they've even used a bell to get him used to the sound. Everything has gone according to plan for him since his arrival and it remains to be seen if his long layoff (not run since July) was inspired. He has little experience of dirt but he has it in his pedigree, which Brian Meehan has probably told him as part of his meticulous preparation. Red Rocks, from 9 in the Turf, should be fine on easier ground and he might be taken around the bends prior to the race to familiarise him.
The draw for the Turf is not quite so critical but Hurricane Run (Christophe Soumillon) nevertheless shortened in the betting when he drew 7 and Ballydoyle's Scorpion (Mick Kinane) is in 4.
Stan Moore's Juvenile Filly Satulagi (John Egan) drew 11, which isn't the best position but he remains hopeful as she is tough and experienced. She twice finished four lengths off two of Europe's best fillies this year so is some way short of that level, but she has credible form. Expect to see her ridden from off the pace and although she won't be the first out of the gate the hope is that she will still be there battling down the stretch when those in front are fading. There had been some concern about her wellbeing, as although she travelled and settled in well, she hadn't eaten up properly which is always a concern with horses but once on the track she seemed happier and is reported to be in good form. She will school in the gate tomorrow and do a bit of gentle exercise on Friday, with friends of the trainer doing their utmost to prevent him wrapping her in vast sheets of cottonwool. The nerves are mounting now for his first runner in the BC.
Europe's number one hope in the Mile, Araafa, was shortened here in the betting following news that he'd drawn 3, a good position and one favoured by his jockey John Valazquez who tried to get the ride on him when he found out just how good he is. His only concern is whether Araafa will handle the tight turns. Araafa has had to play bridesmaid to George and in any other season would have been a very worthy winner of two Guineas and a Champion Stakes, but he had the misfortune to contest his Classic season with the Gorgeous one and only beat him when George was injured in the Irish Guineas. But he is an extremely good horse, the best of the Europeans in this race, which according to Valazquez makes him the best horse in the race, so with luck in running he will take all the beating.
The Ballydoyle runners in the Mile haven't fared quite so well, with Ivan Denisovitch (Mike Kinane) not even getting in due to Super Frolic defecting from the Classic to the Mile and Aussie Rules (Garret Gomez) drawn out in the parking lot at 14. But Ad Valorem (Jamie Spencer) is on the rail having drawn 1. Godolphin expressed satisfaction with 9 for Echo of Light (Frankie Dettori) but were disappointed that Librettist (Christophe Soumillon) is out at 13. Sir Michael Stoute's Rob Roy is at 9 and there will hopefully be news of him when Alex speaks to Ramon Dominguez. Rob Roy has been dogged with bad luck but ran a very big second to George in the Champion Stakes. John Gosden's Sleeping Indian (Alex Solis) is at number 4 and faces a very tough task in this field.
The Ballydoyle runners all arrived safely and are currently in isolation awaiting the results of blood tests, which is the normal procedure.
If anything significant occurs with the Euro runners between now and Saturday, I will update, but all being well, all go to post. The Breeders' Cup is always a rollercoaster of emotions, so highly charged it just grabs you by the throat from the minute it starts and there is nothing quite like it. On a personal note I am already a bag of nerves in anticipation. I wish everybody the very best of luck and most important, that every horse returns safe and sound.
A quick note from Jeannine Edwards, Hurricane Run looked really fantastic galloping in the slop this morning... floated over the track with great energy.
Update 956: I just spoke to Peter Brette who visited Barbaro this (wednesday) afternoon. He took Barbaro out to graze, groomed him and changed his bandages. Another upbeat report.
Update 955: Another Breeders' Cup inspired Barbaro article: Barbaro's influence won't go away. Some of the quotes are familiar. Michael does comment on Bernardini:
Matz will watch the Classic too, wondering what a race between Barbaro and Preakness winner Bernardini would have been like.
"You think about it, but it will never happen, so ..." he said. "It's sort of a shame that rivalry never took place, because I think it would have been a good one. I just think that after Bernardini got real good, there was really no one that could challenge him. Whether these older horses now can do that, we'll see on Saturday. I think he's a wonderful horse."
Barbaro will be in his intensive care stall in Pennsylvania, where get-well cards still arrive.
Bernie, from Kennett Florist left this comment (timestamp: 8:40 pm):
Hi everyone! I got back from NBC and everyone there was happy! I saw Dr. R. and he looked relaxed and happy. Barbaro is doing very well and everyone is upbeat.
A word on Rachel- she stopped in today briefly. everything is a little better and she plans to come back to work tomorrow, at least part time (we may kick her out early). Love to you all!
Update 954: The ESPN piece on Barbaro (Outside The Lines) was terrific. Hopefully it will appear on the internet.
History is being made today in California, as the Hollywood Park meet opens: New surface attracts Eastern trainers. Lets hope the positive introduction at Keeneland is emulated in California.
Update 953: I caught up with Joe Deegan (Perfect Drift), Steve Willard (Giacomo) and Lisa Davison (Film Maker and Better Talk Now).
Joe Deegan: Perfect Drift continues to train well, it seems they could not be happier with him at this point. He galloped today, and will likely do the same again tomorrow. The track was not great (due to lots of rain) but other than that, no problems. Its possible he may gallop a little stronger tomorrow, but it is something they will decide before training tomorrow. His post draw of 6 is good. It will allow his jockey to see the early part of the race while then settling Perfect Drift.
Steve Willard: Giacomo was full of himself this morning, bucking and playing. As a horse went by him he thought it was time to go, he galloped strong the first part of his gallop, then settled down. An easy day for him, jogging a half a mile and galloping an easy mile. This afternoon he "paddock schooled", he went over for the second race and walked around the paddock with the runners. He was nice and relaxed.
Lisa Davison: Both horses (Better Talk Now and Film Maker) trained well this morning, on the turf, which Lisa rated as good-to-soft. While rain has been hitting Churchill it is supposed to clear out later today. That being said the turf is probably not likely to dry out too quickly / much. Some give in the ground may suite both horses. Anyway, both Film Maker and Better Talk Now are doing well. Lisa also noted Graham (Motion) is now in Kentucky.
Update 952: The fields have been drawn for the Breeders' Cup: Breeders' Cup: The Fields
Update 951: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (tuesday night). I just spoke to Peter who had heard from Michael.
Given the pending Breeders' Cup there seems to be an uptick in the media coverage of Barbaro. This one is excellent: Remarkable Barbaro still beating the odds. A must read, here is a small excerpt:
Earlier in his career, Prado had ridden regularly at Pimlico. As at most racetracks, everyone gets to know everyone, and Prado knew Dreyfuss.
"He was saying to me, 'Doctor, please save him. Do what you can, please save him,'" Dreyfuss recalled.
That is a must read article. One to keep!
Here is a repost of our focus for today!
I just spoke to Debra and she forgot one name on the list. She was in a hurry to a meeting and asked me to re-post for her.
Senator Frist, Majority Leader to get on calendar
202-224-3135 phone
202-228-4637 fax
Senator Stevens,co-sponsor and Committee Chairman
to help move it out of committee
202-224-1251 phone
202-224-2354 fax
Senator Ensign, Sponsor of S1915 and committee member to move it out of committee
202-224-6244 phone
202-228-2193 fax
Senator Reed, co-sponsor
202-224-4642 phone
202-224-4680 fax
Senator McConnell
202-224-2541 phone
202-224-2499 fax
Also, don't forget everyone, to KEEP CALLING YOUR OWN SENATORS IF THEY ARE NOT YET CO-SPONSORS!
REMEMBER, If the others have the support of the public, they are more apt to sign Senator Landrieu's letter. The more calls, the more support!!!!
Posted by: ShelleyA at November 1, 2006 3:36 PM
Posted by: Wendy at November 1, 2006 5:00 PM