Barbaro Updates: 171
updates are now here.
Update 1288: Keeneland's 8 day Janaury sale began on monday: Point Ashley joins Hill 'n' Dale for $1.8M. While the average prices were up on the first day, the number sold was down, and the buyback rate was up.
California seems to me a pretty progressive state with respect to its horse racing industry. It has mandated synthetic tracks and it also maintains data on horse breakdowns. 2006 did see a dip in a number that had been rising significantly: Thoroughbred fatalities down in 2006.
The weather seems a lttle chilly this morning, but more cooperative for training!
Update 1287: Tom called and confirmed Barbaro was comfortable when he visited and groomed him early afternoon. He was unable to to take him outside, likely due to the persistant rain we had this morning.
Later this afternoon the weather did brighten up. I went back to Fair Hill to take Hawty Creek out to graze. I had decided this morning to not do anything with her presuming the weather would be more cooperative later. It was bright and sunny, while a little windy. Anyway, she grazed away and seemed to enjoy it. Another trainer in the barn also seemed to have a similar idea (not do something in the morning but in the afternoon) as he had a couple of his horses turned out in porta pads (round pens).
Breeders' Cup has decided to add three new races to its program, making it a ten race card over two days: Breeders' Cup Adds Three New $1-Million Races. The new races are: Juvenile Turf; Fillies and Mares Sprint and Mile Dirt. I am sure there are lots of reasons why this is a good idea, but this addition does come in the wake of TV viewership of Breeders' Cup declining by close to 50% this year.
Update 1286: Mrs. Jackson just called, and she visited Barbaro a little later this morning than usual (about noon time). Barbaro remains comfortable.
Update 1285: Rain, rain, rain and more rain. Certainly disruptive weather to regular training. The dirt track was closed, the synthetic track open and the fields too wet. I rode five in the shedrow, and am guessing I completed about ten miles jogging around the shed. These included Medi Man, Nonpariel and The Kielbasa Queen. First set I did venture out to the synthetic track on Who's Happy. That track really soaks up the rain and remains very bouncy (galloping on the dirt would have been horrible if the track was open anyway). As I was coming back from the track, leaving the tunnel, there were a couple of deer grazing by the pond, which itself was full of canada geese.
Gatornation looked fine after his race yesterday. Hawty Creek also appeared no worse for wear after her work yesterday. Her legs and feet are nice and cold, the trick with her is to encourage her to maintain her appetite. She ate pretty good last night, we will see in the next couple of days.
Update 1284: More details of Barbaro's left hind foot, Dr. Morrison's visit last wednesday, the work he did and why: HoofBlog article details new cast. Here is a lovely poem: The Greatest Winner.
It seems Hawty Creek was not the only one working yesterday. Invasor worked a half in 48 and change at Belmont: Invasor Tunes Up for Donn Handicap and NoBiz Like ShoBiz worked 5/8ths at Gulfstream in 1:01: Nobiz Like Shobiz Works as '07 Debut Nears. From these articles you will also note Jazil's next race is planned to be the Gulfstream Park Handicap, March 3, and that Funny Cide has now returned from a short winter holiday to begin his 2007 training.
Update 1283: Another comfortable day for Barbaro. I just spoke to Tom who visited Barbaro this afternoon. Tom groomed Barbaro and took him out for a nice pick of grass.
Update 1282: Gatornation was fourth today at Laurel. He was only beaten about two lengths for everything and almost looked a little unlucky in running. The winner seemed to get a little close to him, and while not taking away his running room seemed to get to the place Gatornation was trying to get to a little quicker.
I went back to Fair Hill to take Hawty Creek out for a pick of grass, and a good grooming. She seemed quite contented after her work and was happy grazing away ... until she heard the local hunt. The hounds were "speaking" and the horns were blowing. Of course that got Hawty Creek's attention, but no worries, the hunt has not caught a fox since we landed a man on the moon.
Barbaro wins another award, Post Gazette's animal of the year: Let the fur fly: Time for the running of the animals, 2006.
Update 1281: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (saturday night). Mrs. Jackson called just after 10 am after her morning visit.
Hawty Creek worked this morning, her final piece of work before she runs (hopefully). I had a jockey work her, Jesus Bracho, who has just returned from a short stint riding in Saudi Arabia. She worked on the synthetic track (again) and went a half mile in just a tick over 49 seconds. She worked quite easily and was hardly blowing after the work. Her owner came to watch with his son Justin. Tom, the Jackson's farm manager, also came out to see the work. We went to breakfast afterwards to catch up. It did not take Hawty Creek too long to cool out, I will go back to Fair Hill in an hour or so to take her out for (another) pick of grass and groom her.
I saw Gatornation this morning getting ready to head to Laurel, he is running in the first race.
ACN! yeah!
Alex, you had quite a fan club with you for Hawty!
Posted by: Mary at January 7, 2007 3:49 PM