Barbaro Updates: 168
updates are now here.
Update 1272: The morning started off decent weather-wise (its warm) but the rain seems to be coming and its now quite dreary. Tim has Secretly Taken running in the fourth race at Laurel, she left the barn at 9 am this morning. .
The dirt track was closed this morning, so we only had the Tapeta track and outback. I wanted to gallop Hawty Creek this morning so she went to the Tapeta track, and galloped well. I had about four more on the synthetic surface, including one breezer, it really is riding well lately. The breeze went a little quicker than anticipated. The trainer asked if the track was riding fast ... I guess it was, but unlike when dirt is fast (hard) they seem to bounce across the top of this synthetic surface ... it just feels good. I took Tim's Medi Man to the track. She galloped in company with one of Pat Graham's horses, under David Bently. Dave is an x champion jump jockey over here, and current clerk of the scales at Delaware Park. It was an impromtu gallop around (we had not planned it) but it was good to catch up! Nonpariel went outback today, she was again very good.
Update 1271: While winter racing is certainly not as high-profile as racing the rest of the year we do have some interesting four year olds running today and tomorrow. Today Jazil, the Belmont Stakes winner in his last start, makes his 2007 debut on the inner track at Aqueduct, the 8th race. He will be a short-priced favourite in this allowance race, not a betting proposition. He will use this race as a springboard to his new campaign. Last year's Kentucky Derby favourite is making his 2007 debut tomorrow at Gulfstream: Sweetnorthernasaint, 'Contender Clash in Hal's Hope. Ramon Dominguez is heading to Florida for the mount on Sweetnorthernsaint.
On an international note the globe trotting, but now retired, Ouija Board begins another long journey to start her new career: Ouija Board Says Farewell To Gainsborough Stables.
Update 1270: Dr. Dean Richardson, with a little help from his star patient, makes a football prediction: Barbaro vet Richardson says Buckeyes win.
Update 1269: Another comfortable day for Barbaro. Tom called and he had Barbaro outside grazing today (thursday afternoon), and it was a beautiful day to do that! Mrs. Jackson is now on her way over to visit Barbaro with her grand children.
Update 1268: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (wednesday night). I just spoke to Mrs. Jackson who visited Barbaro this morning, bringing him his Lael grass. The Jackson's had been away for a few days over the holiday period.
Additional momentum for synthetic tracks with another good Turfway meet: Turfway Park Holiday Meet Posts Healthy Gain. The article includes the following:
"Our business has steadily increased since we installed Polytrack in September 2005," said Robert N. Elliston, Turfway Park president and CEO. "But after a couple of recent meets, we also rightly attributed some of the increase to such factors as the effects of Hurricane Katrina, renewed agreements with certain OTBs, and the fact that we did not have to cancel races last winter. There are no such factors behind the numbers for this meet, so we see even more clearly the impact of Polytrack on our business. These numbers represent the betting public's growing interest in Turfway Park racing, plain and simple."
An interesting boost for New Zealand racing: New Zealand Group 1 race gets enormous purse increase. I have never been racing in Hawke's Bay, but did spend a wonderful New Year there a couple of years ago.
Yay, ACN, a visit from Mom,and fresh Lael grass!
Very glad to hear tracks reporting positive benefits from synthetic tracks-the Barbaro Effect continues!
Posted by: Susan E. at January 4, 2007 6:02 PM