Barbaro Updates: 187
updates are now here.
Update 1389: This morning was busy at Fair Hill. The weather was decidedly warmer (bright sunshine with temperatures that got above freezing) and the Tapeta track was busy. Saturday is gate day and of course plenty of horses working so as to be able to have sunday off. I picked up an additional horse to ride this morning (got a call last night when I was up in Philadelphia) and it literally drug me around the track for two turns. Its a steeplechase horse getting ready for the new season (six weeks away I think). Hawty Creek jogged the shed again, she will start going back to the track on monday. She broke out in hives later, the vet has now been so hopefully she will be fine! For Tim I rode Nonpariel and Medi Man. Nonpariel did her first little work, an eighth of a mile head to head with Quick Quest (with Tim). I was very pleased with how she did it, I thought she might just stick her head up in the air and back off the other horse, instead she really stretched out and seemed to enjoy it. Medi Man went to the gate, just to stand. She was fine. Tim rode Chesapeake City Slew (he knew I was nervous about that as he may now decide he likes him so much I won't get to ride him again!) Anyway, apparently he did like the way he went. Others I rode: Flash went to the gate, he was to gallop out and then work a quarter down the lane, in company. He stood well in the gate, when they opened I am not entirely sure what happened other than I lost my right styrup and he seemed to leep upwards more so than forwards. Anyway, we recovered relatively quickly and he actually went very nicely down the lane. Another horse I rode breezed a half in company, Jesus Bracho was on the other, and on my inside. Despite the weight I was giving away (and the rail) my horse actually seemed to work better than then one Jesus was riding. I think the trainer was a little suprised. I know I was, its very rare my horse goes better when in company with another horse with a jockey on board!
Update 1388: Barbaro was a little less comfortable last night. I spoke to Peter Brette briefly this morning. Again, we are reminded this is a long road. As I know more I will update of course. Hawty Creek just broke out in hives (I think) so I am off to find a vet.
Update 1387: Horse racing returns to network television for the first time this year with a two hour show on NBC (4 - 6 pm), the Sunshine Millions. This is an eight race series held at two race tracks show casing California- and Florida-bred horses: 7 - 10 races at Gulfrstream and 2 - 5 races at Santa Anita. Key runners include Lava Man, Bordonaro and Sweetnorthernsaint.
The documentary I saw last night as a preview "The First Saturday in May" was really cool. I will write more about it later (when I am more awake) but a few initial impressions: the camera work was incredible; the access these guys had (two brothers who put this together) to six trainers was incredible; many of the moments they captured were terrific; and we know the story, Barbaro wins!
Update 1386: I just spoke to Tom who visited Barbaro this afternoon. He gave him a good grooming and said he was comfortable.
I am still in Philadelphia and now off to watch the preview of the documentary First Saturday in May.
Update 1385: I just spoke to Peter Brette who let me know that Barbaro had a comfortable night last night (Thursday night).
updated 2:25pm Friday
Update 1384: It was cold this morning, but we have certainly had colder days. Tell-tale signs of the cold, frozen water buckets. Anyway, while I heard a few did go out to the Tapeta track, none of our barn ventured out, we made good use of our shedrow. Parlo 1 (our barn) is one of the few barns with a shedrow independent of where the stalls face, so if we organize ourselves (across multiple trainers) we can actually jog around the shedrow and get pretty good exercise into the horses. I ended up shedrowing six horses, two of Tim's (Nonpariel and Chesapeake City Slew), Hawty Creek, Flash and a couple more. Not a bad morning's work, and since we did not have the loooong treck to the Tapeta track, we were done in relative good time (just after 10 am). Anyway, not as cold as I had anticipated, but maybe that was also because I had about ten layers of clothes on!
Barbaro updates today may be late, I have to be in Philadelphia for a retreat and then later I am getting the opportunity to preview "First Saturday in May" (I think it is called) ... nevertheless, I will try to get access to the internet when I have updates and post, but if I don't, you know the reason.
Update 1383: A sign of the times for Maryland racing which is having trouble competing with other racing jurisdictions without the advantage of slot money: Pimlico Special Will Not be Carded in 2007. The Pimlico Special was one of Invasor's grade 1 wins last year (under Ramon Dominguez). No doubt Philadelphia Park's recently launch of slot machines, and consequent increase in purses had an effect, and its likely their purses will increase again in the next couple of months.
The Jockey Club has announced its 2006 Experimental Free Handicap: Street Sense Tops Experimental at 127 Pounds. This basically tells us who the Jockey Club perceives are the best of last year's crop and by how much. Street Sense 127, Scat Daddy 123, with Circular Quay, Great Hunter, and Nobiz Like Shobiz at 122. NoBiz worked three quarters yesterday in 1:11 4/5ths!
Racing's focus this weekend is on the Sunshine Millions, an eight race series run in Florida (Gulfstream Park) and California (Santa Anita) for Florida and California bred horses. The feature race is the classic: Sweetnorthernsaint will have to hustle.
(repost from bottom of previous thread)
GOOD MORNING, SWEET BOY...and TGIF for sure! OOOOOOOH, it is dangerously cold in CT - be careful, Nutmeggers! Barbaro, do you have room in your stall for all of us to curl up with you? I'm dreading leaving for work because I don't think there are enough layers of clothing to keep me warm today! But I am soooo relieved that you are in such a warm, safe environment, and I wish you a day filled with the blessings of healing and love and, of course, your favorite goodies! I love you, Big Boss Horse!
YOU are the dream, YOU are the prize, YOU are the miracle!!!
BARBARO - CHAMPION OF MY HEART
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy
Posted by: Nancy in CT at January 26, 2007 11:24 AM