Barbaro Updates: 137
updates are now here.
Update 1067: I spoke to Peter Brette earlier this evening who had heard from Michael who visited Barbaro this afternoon. Michael had Barbaro outside. It was another upbeat report.
Update 1066: A thorough article on the problems Hollywood Park is having with its Cushion Track :Track maintenance problems persist. It is refreshing to see how open they are about the problems they are having and how they believe the problems are attributed to their own efforts at maintaining the track, rather than the product itself. Lets hope they move up the steep learning curve quickly. I was told this morning the track was in good shape for training.
Update 1065: A wonderful article from the Baltimore Sun celebrating Barbaro's six months of recovery: Still legging out life as long shot. It includes the following excerpts:
When the demands that come with owning Barbaro become too much, Gretchen Jackson simply goes to see her horse.
"I go there and just sit down in the bedding in his stall and talk to him," she said last week. "He's a very gentle stallion. He allows me to be able to do that, and I find it very relaxing. I look at those legs and think about what they were able to do, to think how they carried him to victory in the Kentucky Derby."
and
"He bit me accidentally one day. I know it was an accident. He was as surprised by it as I was. He tried to put his head on my chest to say he's sorry."
McCafferty paused and smiled a little sheepishly.
"People say, 'What is she talking about?' But it was in his eyes. It was, 'Oh my gosh, I didn't mean it.' ... He's just a cool horse with a unique personality."
and
As for today, on the six-month anniversary of Barbaro's arrival at New Bolton, Jackson said nothing special is planned.
"It's the same as any other day," she said. "We're all just going to keep plugging along."
...but of course Edgar surprised everyone with a visit!
Update 1064: Mrs. Jackson just called to thank everyone for your continued efforts to move the anti-slaughter bill forward.
I did ask her about Edgar's visit. She mentioned that when she was with Edgar visiting Barbaro Barbaro was lying down, feet forward eating the grass Mrs. Jackson brought along. Edgar was able to sit down next to Barbaro and talk to him. In Mrs. Jackson's words ... he loves the horse, its a true relationship!
Update 1063: Its six months since the Preakness, six months of recovery, and Barbaro had a special visitor this morning ... Edgar Prado. I believe this was Edgar's fourth visit, and Edgar actually provided me with this morning's update. Edgar noted Barbaro had put on a little weight (since his last visit), had a bright eye, and was actually trying to bite him a little! Edgar then waited around to meet with Mrs. Jackson, who visited Barbaro with cut grass etc. Barbaro was more tranquil during that visit (according to Edgar). I actually drove over to New Bolton to meet Edgar. He was with his wife Lillian and son Luis. He was very relaxed and happy to see Barbaro.
Update 1062: The early update is again from Michael's visit last night (sunday 6 pm visit). Michael was again positive in his assessment of Barbaro when he visited. I saw Michael as I was finishing up my first set and coming off the track.
It is a nice crisp morning this morning. As I was coming out on my first set I noticed a heron wanting to share the pond, adjacent to the horsepath I use, with the many geese. Of course this created quite a lot of noise. Red Aspen is scheduled to work after the break. She is pointing for a stakes race at Laurel this coming weekend.
Update 1061: The Hollywood meet did race sunday after problems with the track were addressed saturday morning: Hollywood Races Sunday After Addressing Cushion Track Complaints. Lets hope this is a problem that is resolved. The Fair Hill Tapeta track should be in place within the next couple of weeks, especially if we have some dry weather.
Russell Baze is now only eleven winners shy of Laffitt Pincay's all time mark of 9,530 winners: Baze Teams With Hollendorfer for Triple. Barring accidents I am guessing Baze will eclipse the record before I gallop my first horse on the Tapeta surface!
We had a Fair Hill visitor on saturday, although I confess she did not visit the barn. This is her report (posted in Barbaro Updates: 136 timestamp 5:10 am):
I spent a magical morning at Fair Hill Training Center Saturday. (Sally, the manager and Alex were both so patient and helpful with emailing me regarding a possible visit). As I was driving to the Center during a crimson sunrise, I drove past woodlands, ponds with geese, meadows, heard morning birdsong....and that was only the beginning. As I arrived and looked down the hill in the early morning light, I could see two horses and riders on the track for their morning workout. I walked down towards the track and found a nice spot to absorb the incredible privelege of this experience. This spot happened to be where each set entered the track from their barns. I was so close, I could look into the horses' eyes as they walked within a foot of me, I could hear the horses breathing, their hooves hitting the plush deep cushion of dirt track and I even had the privelege of hearing the riders talk with their mounts. I was struck by the beauty of these magnificent creatures...their athleticism, unique personalities and amazing training. Each rider greeted me with 'Good Morning' despite their busy workday and it was easy to discern their proficiency and how incredibly tuned into their mount each rider was. It was like watching the horse and rider move smoothly as one. It was so amazing to be so welcomed and able to get so close to such incredibly talented horses and people. One trainer asked me if I was cold because it was a bit colder than it had been recently. My honest answer was "I am too awestruck to be cold". I stayed until the track equipment came out to groom the track after the morning workouts were over and it seemed like I was there five minutes at most. I bet it sounds like I am totally enamored...I will simply have to go back again soon before I suffer withdrawl!
I was spotted on TV in Oklahoma (posted in Barbaro Updates: 136 timestamp 4:36 am):
Hey, Alex! Our local ABC affiliate just ran an anti-h/s story. They mentioned Barbaro, and you, Alex, were interviewed.
Afterwards, they ran the 2 OK senators' numbers for people to contact. Fantastic!
I am not sure when the Barbaro update will be this morning, but hope it will be before 9 am.
Hoping for ACN! Rock on, Sweet Prince!
PLEASE CALL AND FAX YOUR SENATORS. Barbaro and the horses need us to do so.
WE BELIEVE!
Lor in PA
Posted by: Lorri Roush Shaver at November 20, 2006 11:03 AM