Barbaro Updates: 204
updates are now here.
Update 1476: Turfway continues to investigate its Polytrack issues: Temperature Believed to Have Impact on Polytrack. Various reasons are being put forward as to why the track is not performing as well as it had previously in terms of breakdowns (which still appear to be much reduced from the previous dirt surface). Temperature is one of the main issues put forward, but it seems the critical issue might stem from the change in the surface:
During the winter of 2006, when there were no catastrophic injuries, there were rampant complaints about "kickback" of the material during races. That in part led management to change the surface in August by adding Spandex and cabling material. The surface got much quicker--perhaps too much so--and apparently didn't play well when unusually cold temperatures set in over Kentucky.
The Tapeta track at Fair Hill seems to be handling the wicked temperatures we have had in the morning training hours. The only thing that seems to happen in extreme cold is the track gets tighter, and thus a little faster. I know horses have been breezing on the track this winter that would not have done so on the regular dirt track or the old wood chip track.
On weather and track conditions, Gulfstream cancelled today after one race: Gulfstream Cancels Monday Racing After First Race. I guess winter in Florida is not always the answer!
If you buy a horse with expectations of a big performance, its nice to see the seller offer to buy back when the horse does not perform up to expectations: Roman, IEAH Stables canceling Lawrence the Roman deal.
Update 1475: It felt warm this morning at Fair Hill, and for one set I even shed a couple of layers of clothing although I decided that that was only temporary and put them back on. Hawty Creek had the day off today. First set for me was Chesapeake City Slew, who seems to have come out of his weekend work well. We galloped around with Tim on Nonpariel. Then it was Grandma ... she weeled at one point coming on to the track, she was a little fired up after her day off and little work. We did survive. Next I breezed a filly 5/8ths from the gate. The initial plan was to breeze her from the pole on her own, but on my way to the track I saw a couple who looked like they were breezing, and they were ... from the gate. I asked my trainer if we could all go together ... yes ... so we could also get a gate card. Anyway my filly broke well on the outside of the group, she spotted the inside horse about a length and a half once we had gone about an eighth, the horse in the middle did not break so well. I was not sure whether to wait for the third horse or push my filly up to the leader ... which I then did. She went well the rest of the way, and was giving away serious weight (Nick Santagata was on the horse on the inside). Anyway, it turned out to be a decent work. The rest of my horses all went well which included taking one to the gate for its first time. She behaved beautifully and walked through the gate a couple of times. Again, I had managed to find company on the way to the track to do this. All in all, a decent monday morning.
Update 1474: There appear to be four books available on Amazon about Barbaro (and a Beanie Baby). My second book recommendation is for Barbaro: America's Horse
This book first came to my attention via Mrs. Jackson (it is authorized by the Jacksons). Mrs. Jackson had read the book and was very enthusiastic about it. I called up the author and asked if I could get a pre-print copy. Shelley obliged. It is a book for children, third grade I think. That being said I think anyone who wants to get a little more insight into the life of Barbaro will enjoy it, and of course it is a nice quick read. The most striking thing about the book is I think you get to really feel the personality of Barbaro, or at least a personality comes through that seems to be a good match for Barbaro. The book takes you through the life of Barbaro, beginning from where he was born (it includes a baby Barbaro picture). Anyway, all in all I really enjoyed it despite one or two facts not being absolutely on target (perhaps that should be a challenge, note two factual errors when reading the book). Again, these errors take nothing away from this book. It is cool and I think kids will love it too.
Also, some of the proceeds from the book will go to the Belmont Child Care Association and the riding camp at the Kennett Square YMCA.
Update 1473: A nice return to the races for Lawyer Ron. He rated a little off the pace (something he found tough to do last year), got shuffled back a little, came widest around the turn, and was still able to draw off. Lets see if he can repeat this kind of performance when he returns to graded stakes company.
Michael Matz's Chelokee was third in an allowance race at Gulfstream. He was well placed throughout the race, but it was a wicked fast race for a mile allowance race. I am guessing he will come on well for this test.
Update 1472: Another amazing rescue effort by the Fans of Barbaro: URGENT! LCC Foal Rescue!!!.
Update 1471: The track was busy this morning, whish surprised me a little being a sunday. Hawty Creek galloped a mile and a half. The last five eighths were an open gallop with the last quarter being close to a breeze. I wanted to get some air into her. She seemed to do it all well and cool out well. She will have the day off tomorrow. I saw Tim briefly. He breezed a bunch of his horses yesterday so they had a light morning today. I did get on one extra, a horse that will be breezing tommorrow, so needed to go out for a gallop today. Another chilly morning, but perhaps not quite as cold as early last week. Apparently we may be getting snow tuesday of this coming week.
Update 1470: Whoops, Silent Witness' last race was last week (Update 1469) not this weekend. Apparently he finished, but not well and is now well retired. A terrific career winning seventeen consecutive sprint races (Cigar's record was sixteen consecutive races).
Easy morning this morning at Fair Hill. I just have Hawty Creek to ride.
Update 1469: I was unable to watch any of the feature races today (HRTV covers other tracks). Here is a quick recap from a couple of races with possible triple crown implications...
The Risen Star went to Notional: Notional Gets Lucky Trip in Fall-Marred Risen Star, Circular Quay was compromised when taken up to avoid a fallen jockey. Apparently horses clipped heals in front of him (unseating the jockey), but did not go down. Lawrence of Roman's Derby trail may be over before it started for his new owners: Summer Doldrums scores first stakes win with convincing Whirlaway romp.
On the international scene, Good luck to Silent Witness who makes his last start in a few hours before retiring to "Living Legends," in Australia: Hong Kong Hero Silent Witness Bows Out Sunday.
Update 1468: Another lovely Barbaro tribute from a Fan of Barbaro: And it is All Barbaro.
Update 1467: This morning did not feel as cold, although I am sure the temperatures were still in the teens. The difference from yesterday, much less wind. As I had thought, plenty of action at Fair Hill this morning with lots of workers and plenty of horses breaking out of the gate.
I had Hawty Creek out first, and she was first on the track again. She galloped a good mile and a half. There was a race for her tomorrow, maiden special weight, non-PA bred. We did not enter ... it is an easier race than the PA-bred version that was canceled on tuesday, so a bit bummed about that. Oh well, hopefully a race will come up for her soon enough.
Next set I breezed Chesapeake City Slew an eighth in company with Tim on Grandma. They went well together, and he felt awesome. He's a quirky kind of horse to ride, I have found he goes best when I ride long and keep my hands down. He then concentrates much more on what he is doing. When we went to pick it up as we straightened down the lane he really did pick it up well. Once past the wire he also galloped out very strongly. Of the next four sets I took three to the gate, each of which broke from the gate, and broke well. Two were to get gate cards (successfully) and one was the first time to break (Flash!) Flash is definitely moving forward with his training.
Edgar Prado is at Aqueduct today ... this might mean something: 'ROMAN' TRUE TRIPLE THREAT ?
Good morning Alex, keep warm today. Shouldn't be as bad for a few days then will be really cold again, at least for us in Va Beach! Thanks for sharing your insightes when riding..so enjoy hearing it.
Have a good day to everyone!
Nancy in Va Beach:)
Believe!
Posted by: Nancy in Va Beach at February 10, 2007 4:21 PM