Barbaro Updates: 169
updates are now here.
Update 1277: Congratulations to two Philadelphia-area sports writers for winning Eclipse awards for documenting the Barbaro story: Dick Jerardi and Mike Jensen.
TVG is now broadcasting some European racing in the morning: TVG Expands Broadcast Hours With New Product. It is a shame cable companies seem to choose one horse racing channel for all its subscribers, when really a horse racing fan needs both (HRTV too) and a non horse racing fan needs neither.
To say it will be unseasonably warm today is an understatement. I am planning a light day for Hawty Creek, she is scheduled to work tomorrow. It took me all day yesterday to get her to dry off after her morning exercise (she has not yet been clipped).
Update 1276: I just spoke to Tom, the Jackson's farm manager. He visited Barbaro today (this afternoon as usual), and he (Barbaro) remains comfortable. The weather prevented them from going outside.
More insight on the visit of Dr. Morrison on wednesday of this week from the Thoroughbred Times: Morrison applied cast to Barbaro's laminitic left hoof on Wednesday. It primarily an interview with Mrs. Jackson. It includes the following excerpts:
"I had no idea how touchy that situation is. It's just a very fragile connection as the hoof wall grows, there is such fragility with those connections between the wall and the tissue surrounding the bone, this is how I understand it and that's why you don't just turn him loose or something. He has to have it controlled so that it stabilizes and it grows and connects in the proper way."
and
"He doesn't carry himself the same way in the back because of the fused joints, he's still adjusting to the fusion. He's different gaited but he doesn't give you any indication that he's lost interest in life. He knows his people, too," she continued. "The other day he was lying down, and we had been away for ten days, and I just walked in and they had, of all things, a mother goat in there with her four babies. She's one of those little pygmy goats, and they are just the cutest little things. And I went right over to them before Barbaro, and he heard my voice and sprung up out of his bedding and was whinnying and everything, saying, 'I'm over here, bring my grass.' He's pretty with it. He's a funny horse."
Update 1275: Jazil was second in his first start back since the Belmont win seven months ago: Jazil Second in First Start Since Belmont Stakes Win. I imagine this was not a bad effort all things considered, and he will move forward from this. I am sure they are disappointed they did not win, but the key will be how he comes out of the race and how he performs when he returns to graded stakes company.
Rachel from Kennett Florist left this comment (timestamp: 8:49 pm):
Afternoon All!! Happy new year family, friends and FOB's!! Hope 2007 is treating everyone well!
Alie and I visited NBC with a basket for our boy. Everyone was in good spirits. We took down the tree and put the ornaments in Dr Sweeney's office for Mrs Jackson to pick up. As people were walking by, they thanked us again for putting up such a beautiful tree... and asked us to pass thanks along to you.
Thanks again go out to Jessica who stopped by with cake and coffee for us, along with a book she had put together from messages many of you had sent her. Thank you all for such kind words and for thinking of us. And the cake is wonderful... just what we needed on a rainy day!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
WE BELIEVE!!
Rach at KF
There was a nice article from Bloomberg.com that appears to have been picked up by other media. This version: Barbaro boosts town's economy includes photographs!
Update 1274: A nice wire-to-wire performance by Secretly Taken at Laurel to get Tim's 2007 off to a strong start. She burst out of the gate and did not look back, winning by about two lengths. Steve Klesaris obviously liked her, he is now training her as he put in a claim for her. That's racing, but a good start to the year nonetheless for Tim.
Update 1273: Mrs. Jackson just called and reported Barbaro was comfortable during her visit this morning (9 am). She of course brought him his grass. Mrs. Jackson also confirmed Dr. Scott Morrison visited Barbaro on wednesday of this week. This was Dr. Morrison's second visit I believe. He is focused on Barbaro's left hind foot, and placed a cast on the foot. This was reported by Channel 18 in Lexington yesterday: Is Barbaro Headed to the Bluegrass?.
I also chatted a little bit with Mrs. Jackson about Barbaro's Kentucky Derby win, and what a tremendous performance it was (the ease of the win, the time of the race etc.) Mrs. Jackson said as she led Barbaro in after the race (so within ten minutes of the facile win) Barbaro was "bone dry", as if he had not exerted himself in his effort.
update 11:55 am, friday, January 5
Good Boy Barbaro! You got to see your Mom again and eat that yummy Lael grass.
Ro & Brady
Posted by: Rosemarie at January 5, 2007 5:03 PM