Barbaro Updates: 140
updates are now here.
Update 1086: I just spoke to Peter who had heard from Michael after his afternoon visit with Barbaro. Barbaro remains comfortable and Michael did get him outside (it was a lovely afternoon).
A nice profile on Ouija Board's "lass".
Update 1085: This weekend is turning out to be another full of great racing interests. Sue McMullen highlighted the major global race, the Japan Cup, which features Ouija Board and Deep Impact among its 11 entries (update 1083). Here is a short update from Dunlop's yard.
Barclay Tagg has a cross country double attempt with NoBiz Like ShoBiz in the Remsen on saturday ('Nobiz' running with eye on Derby) and Showing Up in the Hollywood Derby on sunday (Showing Up Not Alone in Hollywood Derby). I just spoke to Barclay and both horses are training well, looking good and feeling good.
Closer to (our) home Laurel has a tremendous card tomorrow. Highlights include Tim's Red Aspen in the April Run Stakes, Diabolical taking on Thor's Echo in the Dash and Miraculous Miss in the Stefanita.
Michael Matz has Chelokee in the 5th at Churchill Downs on saturday (he also has a few running at Laurel) and Discreet Cat meets a short, but decent, field in the Cigar Mile (Discreet Cat primed for hardest test.)
Update 1084: Another comfortable night last night for barbaro (thursday night). I just spoke to Peter who confirmed. Michael is on his way over to New Bolton as I type (1:05 pm) to visit Barbaro.
update 1:05 pm, friday november 24
Update 1083: The latest Barbaro update is proving elusive, although I did talk to Peter and either he or Michael will visit today, so I will be able to follow up later. Peter did assume all was well.
Sue McMullen sent this commentary on this weekend's major global race, the Japan Cup:
There's a fascinating clash in prospect in Sunday's Group 1 Japan Cup, the most prestigious race in Japan, run over 12 furlongs on turf, with the reigning queen of racing fillies, Ouija Board hot foot from her victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare, once gain taking on the boys, as she will face Japan's top colts Deep Impact and Heart's Cry.
Beaten in this race last year, suffering the same bad luck as she had experienced in the BC, the team have changed tactics for Ouija this year and sent her direct from the US to Japan, rather than taking her home first. It made sense as she would hardly have had time to unpack her suitcase before setting off again. But she's had plenty of time to settle at Fuchu, Tokyo's racecourse and as reported here already, via a link to trainer Ed Dunlop's website, she is looking very well and up to her racing weight. She certainly pleased Frankie Dettori in a recent piece of work, and was bucking and squealing afterward demonstrating her wellbeing.
This year's time lapse between the BC and the Japan Cup is a week less than normal, but as Ed Dunlop himself said, she is a 'strange horse' in how she seems to bounce back from some gruelling battles and with the usual caveat that she will tell them when it's time to call it a day, she is certainly giving every impression she will serve it up to the boys on Sunday. But Team Ouija know the task she faces and although Ed Dunlop is confident she is well in herself, he cannot be entirely confident of the outcome as her main rivals are two of the world's best colts, arguably the very best.
Deep Impact was stripped of his third place in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe having tested positive for a prescribed medication to help a minor respiratory problem, which his handlers had not withdrawn in time. The Sunday Silence colt ran brilliantly to finish third on a course that was totally unlike anything he had experienced and off a slow pace unsuited to his style of running. Many observers wondered why they had not given the horse the benefit of a prep race at Longchamp, to give him a feel of the track and a 'pipe opener', which might have seen a different outcome at the finish. But how much worse it would have been to be stripped of a victory in the Arc and it has to be said that his connections let him down. So Japan's top horse has a point to prove on Sunday.
Joining him in the line-up will be another son of the peerless Sunday Silence, Heart's Cry, who went down a whisker in a photo to Alkaased last year. On their home territory and a familiar track, these two will be tough nuts to crack and Deep Impact is showing renewed zest for the game and training very well now he's shaken French turf off his hooves.
First run in 1981, the Japan Cup was established as an invitational event to attract the best horses in the world to take on their best horses, a bold move at a time when Japan's racing empire was in its infancy in terms of being a world player. The first two runnings were won by American horses, Mairzy Doates and Half Iced, followed by Pay The Butler in 1988. America's fourth and most recent Japan Cup victory came in 1991 when the legendary Charlie Whittingham saddled Golden Pheasant to win, a fitting victory given the dominance and influence one of his most famous charges has had on Japanese racing, with a son of Sunday Silence, Special Week, winning in 1998. The race is now firmly established as one of the premier fixtures at the end of the season, along with the Arc and the BC and is the penultimate leg of the World Series Racing Championships, attracting runners from all over the world with a reputation for being a tough race to win. Other notable victors include the English-trained Jupiter Island, Singspiel, Pilsudski and Alkaased, Japanese victors El Condor Pasa and Zenno Rob Roy, Italian-trained Falbrav (before he relocated to England), New Zealander Horlicks and Better Loosen Up from Australia. Underlying the race's reputation it is interesting to note that aside from talent, a prime characteristic of the winners is they were known to be very tough as the race has witnessed some real battles in the long stretch finish.
Only 11 contest this year's renewal, with Ouija joined from Europe by Freedonia, trained by John Hammond (an English trainer based in France) who, like Deep Impact, will want a fast run race. A late maturing filly, Freedonia has quite a bit to find to live with Ouija but she stays well. Ed Dunlop is hoping for a steadier pace than last year so the brilliant mare can show her closing speed. The word at the course is that Japanese Tosen Shano O will act as pacemaker for stablemate Swift Current, so he could set a good pace.
What a prospect. Good luck and safe racing to all of them. Currently third in the market here behind hot favourite Deep Impact and Heart's Cry, Ouija has it all to do in arguably her toughest race to date.
Update 1082: Coverage of Barbaro in the UK continues: Life a series of small steps for Barbaro. The following are a couple of excerpts:
"It's amazing," she said. "I could say he's a splendid-looking horse. He has a presence to him. He has a very noble, gallant look about him when he's on the track, but it has to be more than that.
"I think people saw everybody support the horse and love it through its injury rather than discarding it," said Jackson. "Everything is disposable in society now and maybe people saw this as something that isn't disposable. It's valued."
and
Richardson remains guardedly optimistic about Barbaro's chances of survival.
"He's in the process of regrowing his hoof," he said. "And that's not a sure-fire proposition that it occurs adequately on any horse at any time. He has a long way to go. He is certainly not out of the woods. But we're hopeful."
For those new to horse race handicapping, this will help. The Barbaro update should be available after training hours this morning.
Please read this poemTwas the Night Before the Auction, and keep calling!
Update 1081: Pictures that go with the two most recent Philadelphia Inquirer articles:
A visit with Barbaro (taken sunday november 19. Note the grass bag I tried to describe in update 1080)
Fair Hill's New Track (these images accompany the synthetic track article from tuesday of this week).
Update 1080: My visit with Barbaro from yesterday (wednesday, november 22, 5-6 pm):
I was to meet Mrs. Jackson at 5 pm in the lobby area of New Bolton. I had not yet met Mrs. Jackson, so not only was this my first visit with Barbaro since the Preakness, but also the first time to meet his owners. I got their five minutes early, and waited a short time in the lobby area rereading many of the get well wishes that are ever present. Right at 5 Mrs. Jackson arrived. She knew who I was, and of course I knew her immediately. No awkward moment and very quick introductions. Mrs. Jackson gave me a signed win picture of the Kentucky Derby and was just effusive in her praise for our site and all that we have done (basically she put me at ease straight away). We went in the direction of Barbaro (a quick hello to Kathy Freeborn) and passed by Dr. Sweeney's office. Mrs. Jackson introduced me to Dr. Sweeney and we had a very short (nice) chat. We reached the ICU and had to put on our ICU clothes at which time Mr. Jackson arrived. He then signed my win picture (it is signed by Mr. Mrs. Jackson, Edgar Prado and Michael Matz ... i'll get Peter to sign it too before he leaves to Florida). As we got ready to see Barbaro we continued a conversation that actually went on for the entire hour. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were just very easy to talk with and we talked about many things, ranging from travel (I described my love of New Zealand) to horse-related issues (horse slaughter etc.)
We entered the ICU and the first thing we did was attend to a baby goat, with its mother. It was tiny and precious. Anyway, that did not take long, we ventured over to Barbaro's stall (I may get this wrong but the ICU seemed to include about four stalls, two on either side, with a large middle ... kind of like a hospital with a large reception area in the middle and private rooms on the outside.) It is a well lit area and seems (obviously) very clean etc. Mrs. Jackson had brought with her a large carrier-type bag full of freshly cut grass. We got to Barbaro's stall and opened the door a little ... Barbaro was turned away from us, and it took a little coaxing to get him to turn around and come to us. Once he did, he was very happy to see the grass. He munched away, and we stood watching him while also intermittently petting him on the head etc. You can imagine he would pin his ears back, pretend to flash his teeth a little, and then get back to munching on his grass ... then look up to us, prick his ears etc. etc. Basically you have to be careful with him, but when careful, and showing him the respect he requires, he is very happy. He also got to eat a red apple (crunch, crunch, crunch and it was gone) and a few spearmint mints (the green ones). He clearly loved those and was not happy about waiting until the wrappers were removed! We must have stood next to him at the front of his stall for a good 30 - 40 minutes as we chatted away. Barbaro then moved to another part of his stall. I got to see the what are now almost white markings on his near (left) side. Nothing to worry about there. His tail is still short, but again, this is simple cosmetic stuff, and the tail will grow out. Michael had clearly already visited as his bandage on his left hind leg was clean and had been recently reset. Shortly before we left Barbaro did lay down, conveniently close to where the remainder of the grass that Mrs. Jackson had gathered was laid. You can tell he really looks after himself by the way he was laying down. Barbaro is clearly a smart horse who seems to understand his current predicament and what he needs to do to get through this.
Overall Barbaro looked well. His coat is clean, shiny and almost summery. I know he is groomed regularly and this must help. His eye is clean and his weight looks great. I really think he looks like a horse in a race barn when you simply look at his body and up. He is big! I know Michael Matz thinks he has grown taller, but simply put, he is a big horse. He is also smart. Adapting to his current situation is pretty amazing for a three year old colt who only knew about running (and running very well). Simply put, I am in awe of Barbaro and all he has endured.
A couple of other notes about our conversations. We mentioned the Florida Derby, apparently Edgar told the Jackson's Barbaro was only playing in that race. He saw some construction (I guess on the inside) and was not focused on what he should be doing. In the Kentucky Derby Mrs. Jackson said Barbaro hardly sweated in his effort, he did it so easily. Mr. Jackson agreed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were curious as to how I would continue the updates once Michael and Peter head south. They volunteered to help me get updates if necessary. We also discussed the relationships both Michael and Peter have with their horse, and how things will be different when they leave for Florida.
All in all, this was an experience. I met two people and a horse, each of whom seems to be all that is good about life.
Update 1079: It is unlikely there will be a Barbaro update today. I went over to Michael Matz's barn after I was finished this morning (no dirt track today, so work was in the shedrow) and Michael was already on his way to Kentucky to saddle Sangrita. I chatted with Peter for a while. Peter is not planning to visit and does not anticipate hearing anything (assuming all remains well). Peter did note that Chelokee is running on saturday, at Churchill. They also have plenty of runners at Laurel on saturday, and I think maybe Aqueduct. I shedrowed a couple for Tim earlier in the morning. Red Aspen (who I do not ride) is also in on saturday, in the April Run Stakes at Laurel. The Laurel card looks awesome!
Russell Baze is getting close to setting the record for most wins by a jockey: Four-Bagger Moves Baze to Within 7 of Record. It is nice to see the current record holder supporting Baze in his quest: Jockey Baze deserves to break all-time win record, Pincay says. This article also notes Baze's best horses:
Baze called 2005 champion sprinter Lost in the Fog the best horse he ever rode, while also mentioning graded stakes winners Hawkster, Super Moment, Simply Majestic, Great Communicator, and Event of the Year.
"Because of the campaign [Lost in the Fog] put together, few horses would have been able to ship as much as he did and run as well as he did on so many different surfaces," Baze said. "He was just a fantastically talented animal."
Finally the Jackson's Showing Up is in California: Showing Up Ready for Hollywood Derby; Derek Confirmed. The following is an excerpt:
"He's laid back in his stall but aggressive in his races," said Robin Smullen, assistant to trainer Barclay Tagg, after jogging the chestnut colt once around the main track. "He's not hard to ride, but wants to get it done."
Lael Stables' Showing Up, victorious in six of eight starts - including three-for-four on turf - can enhance his reputation among the nation's turf elite in the 1 1/4 mile-mile grass test.
The colt, seeking his second grade I victory after accounting for the Secretariat at Arlington, has won in five different states.
"He's well-traveled and handled the flight well," said Smullen. He is scheduled to school at the gate Thursday.
Robin is another x Fair Hill rider. I will plan to put together something about my Barbaro visit yesterday a little later.
Update 1078: A great way to start thanksgiving: Few limits for Barbaro's many fans. This Mike Jensen article notes a few of our regular visitors and contributors. The following are excerpts:
A "classical modern" dancer with several choreographed works reviewed in the New York Times, Martita Goshen has an idea for her next solo performance already percolating.
She doesn't yet know what form it will take. She just has a theme.
"I'm deeply inspired by the horse Barbaro, and his integrity, and the people around him caring for him," Goshen said. "That's a big tableau. How I pull it all together in less than an hour, it will be fascinating."
and
"Everybody talks about Barbaro's will to live," Smoliak said. "Well, guess what, there are horses standing on the slaughter line, they have the will to live, too. We just don't know them."
He is still a full-throttle fan of Barbaro's, looking for news about the horse every day. But he watches more C-Span, too.
"Barbaro has had an effect on people," Smoliak said. "The bottom line, I'm a better U.S. citizen because of him."
and
"The energy field of a horse is as big as a barn - compared to most of us lowly humans with our fields out about a 'wingspan,' " Somano said in an e-mail.
She started doing distance healing on Barbaro the day of the Preakness, she said, and has continued it every day.
"I know it might sound 'out there' to those not familiar with this work and the credentialing back of it," Somano said. "I assure you, though, I am about as conservative and levelheaded as any practitioner can be working in an unconventional field.
The Barbaro update this morning will hopefully come sometime mid-morning.
Me first!
Posted by: Margaret at November 23, 2006 11:41 AM