Barbaro Updates: 210
updates are now here.
Update 1503: Regarding the article in the Lexington Herald Leader about the KY Equine Humane Center in update 1500 (A shelter from harm; Horses get care, retraining for possible adoption at new facility), I have discovered one of the ESPN producers who works with Jeannine is involved in the project. Joan Ciampi lives in Lexington and is on the board of directors of the shelter and has been part of the entire process, from concept to reality. Joan herself is a horse person and has taken several Thoroughbreds off the track and turned them into show horses, or just plain pasture pets. Joan told Jeannine the premise of the KY Shelter was such that no equine should be neglected, abused, or slaughtered. If the animals are not adoptable, (extremely and permanently lame, extremely old, or are in very poor health) they will be euthanized instead of being left to suffer. The organizers of the shelter hope that other facilities like it will eventually open across the country, and that the horrific practice of slaughter will become a thing of the past.
Joan said that since today's article ran, the response has been absolutely overwhelming! She said they are so touched, they can't believe it. A local vineyard has offered to cater their opening day benefit (April 15), and outfits like KBC Horse Supplies, Pinkstons, Sallee Vans, Rood & Riddle, Hagyard Davidson McGee, Darley, Dan Rosenberg, etc, have been so helpful and generous. Additionally, many, many people are calling and offering to volunteer at the shelter. Isn't that amazing? It seems the benevolent spirit that Barbaro inspired has truly swept the nation.
The shelter's website is www.kyequinehumanecenter.org.
Update 1502: Hard Spun was a dull fourth in the Southwest Stakes. He was rated off the pace, he was produced wide coming into the final turn but really had little kick coming down the lane. A well beaten fourth place finish. The winner, Teuflesberg, looked good!
Update 1501: Mediman made her first start today at Laurel. She ran a nice race, dualing for the lead early on, and just weakening a little down the lane. She finished fourth, beaten a neck for third place. Tim noted that she cooled out well. He was very happy with her first effort.
Update 1500: A nice story about a new equine shelter in Kentucky: A shelter from harm; Horses get care, retraining for possible adoption at new facility. Staci Hancock, president of the Board for this new facility, is very active in anti horse slaughter.
Update 1499: Another very cold morning this morning at Fair Hill. We are told this is the last day of this persistantly cold weather, I will believe it when I feel warm! The Tapeta track was closed until 9 am, they were working on it earlier. This will be the same tomorrow, and then things should return to normal.
Tim had the idea to use the horsepaths this morning (before 9) as our training track. It worked out quite well. I think we got a good 2 mile jog into each of them (for me, Hawty Creek, Nonpariel, Slew and two more) and it was nice to do it in the fresh air, even though it was thoroughly cold. At 9 I had three left, they each went to the track. They were pretty psyched about that, the first bronked its way onto the track, the second was a little better, as was the third. For each we did two circuits, galloping slowly from the 5/8ths to the quarter pole (a mile and a quarter). The track seemed fine for slow exercise.
It is sad to note that Alison Hershbell passed away last weekend. She was too young. As a jockey she provided Tim with his first winner, London Ice.
Update 1498: Mike Jensen writes an informative article on the breeding of Hard Spun: Hard Spun: Gifted son of breeder's beloved mare. I think Tim rode his mother when she was in training, Turkish Tryst!
Santa Anita has still not yet finalized the type of sythetic surface it plans to adopt: Breakdowns put spotlight back on synthetic surface. Also of note is the second article from that link: Hollywood offers retroactive purse increase. Hollywood experienced an increase in business in its short winter meet, and is distributing $300,000 as a result (with more being held over). Much of this increase is attributed to the Cushion Track.
Good morning Alex, FOB & sweet heavenly Barbaro!
Keep warm today Alex... it's 6 degrees here in the Poconos with lots of wind.
Thank you for the very interesting updates... love to read them.
Lynn G
East Stroudsburg, PA
Posted by: Lynn G at February 19, 2007 10:51 AM