Barbaro Updates: 233
updates are now here.
Update 1621: Premium Tap completes his last major work before the Dubai World Cup: Premium Tap Drills, Gets Go-Ahead for World Cup. This work appears more typical of a non north american work where the specific time of the work is less important to the appearance (trainer) and feel (rider) of the work.
Gary Stevens makes an interesting career move: Nakatani Says Stevens to Become His Agent.
Update 1620: This morning I went over to Lael Farm to pick up a copy of Kentucky Derby 132 Review, which is essentially a photographic essay of Barbaro's Kentucky Derby victory. It is the first time Churchill Downs has produced a photographic review of their Derby, and they plan this to be the first of many. They could not have timed that decision better, the pictures are awesome and the captions work nicely. Reading through it (it is a quick read) you also learn a little Derby history; for example the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously running sporting event in America. Leonard Lusky, the editor for the book, will be on hand at the Barbaro Birthday Celebration at Delaware Park.
edit: added continuously
Update 1619: A very bright sunny and very chilly morning at Fair Hill. I went in to gallop Hawty Creek since she had not been out of the barn for a couple of days. We went three turns of the Tapeta track, galloping about a mile and a half all together. She went well. I then got on one for Tim, Grandma. Tim was on Quick Quest, and we galloped a mile and a quarter. Tim had a few going out today, but I did not feel like hanging around, its just too cold for this time of year!
Invasor had his final piece of work on friday in the US in preparation for the Dubai World Cup: Invasor right on cue with bullet work in preparation for Dubai World Cup. He worked 5/8ths in just under a minute with the plan to ship out to Dubai on tuesday. He will be part of a 14 horse US team (down from 19 last year): Invasor, Lava Man among 14 American-based horses headed to Dubai.
Update 1618: The following are the racing press reports of the three Derby preps on saturday:
Tampa Bay Derby
Champ survives thrilling duel
Street Sense Noses 'Saturday in Tampa Bay Derby
Street Sense edges Any Given Saturday in thrilling Tampa Bay Derby finish
Rebel Stakes
Curlin romps in Rebel
Curlin Sweeps Into Derby Picture With Rebel Rout
Curlin surges clear in second career start to win the Rebel Stakes
San Felipe
Cobalt Blue comfortable San Felipe winner
Cobalt Blue Gets the Green in San Felipe
Cobalt Blue two-length winner of San Felipe Stakes
Update 1617: Cobalt Blue took the San Felipe in a wire to wire performance. It was a short field, but a good performance for the first time around two turns off a lay-off. Both Cobalt Blue and Curlin (Rebel) now need to proove themselves against seasoned triple crown prospects, but they both performed well today for sure.
Update 1616: Curlin was very impressive in his first start since breaking his maiden, running away with the Rebel. Xchanger set the comfortable pace, but weakened along the rail.
Update 1615: Street Sense and Any Given Saturday, in a head bob for the Tampa Bay Derby, a new track record and a brilliant stretch dual. Smart ride by Calvin Borel.
Update 1614: Rachel, from Kennett Florist, left this comment (timestamp: 10:33pm):
Happy St. Patrick's Day FOB Family! Everyone is Irish today!
What a week it's been. Sorry to hear of the twins, Blackie and Molasses.
I've been determined to post regularly, but it seems that time finds a way of getting away from me. Alie has been away all week on vacation (about time... she really needed a break), so I've been flying solo. We had a couple trips to NBC this week for the donor horses and ICU animals. It was nice to see the staff. We miss our daily routine.
So on Monday, I get a call from someone who works with NBC (the network) telling me they are doing a piece and Barbaro and Mrs Jackson told them she should come visit the shop. With Alie away, they were stuck with me. Before I knew it I had a mic taped to me and was being interviewed. Good grief, I can't even remember what I said... hope it made some sense. I was trying to mention every horse cause I could think of, mostly we talked about all of the wonderful FOBs. It's airing on April 29 at 5:00, which I think was posted earlier this week.
Wednesday and Thursday we had the great opportunity to meet a few of the fans that had come for Dr R's lecture. Thank you all for taking the time to stop in the shop. It was a tiny taste of what is to come on April 29th. We are so looking forward to meeting the faces behind the voices we've been talking to all these months.
I spent most of today shovelling out the sidewalks and driveway at the shop, since Alie's hubby, Steve usually takes care of that, I had to bite the bullet and dig. I am looking forward to warm weather. My son has been pestering me to get him on a horse for months now (his enthusiasim for horses has grown these past few months). Alex, you need to hook us up! :)
By the way has Alex mentioned we're auctioning him off for the Relay for Life this week at The Whip?? I sort of roped him into it, but thanks for going along with it Alex. Should be a fun night... Good food, beverages and men... what more could a gal want?? And it's all for a good cause.
Well, I think we're all caught up. Thanks to all who continue to send cards to us and treats to animals and two legged creatures at NBC. I will try to post a little more regularly. Love to you all!
WE BELIEVE!!
Update 1613: I just spoke to Peter Brette. Chelokee worked a half mile today, a good work in 48. He open galloped some before going into the work. He was upbeat about the work and says the current plan is for the Florida Derby.
Jeannine Edwards provides a little more insight into her forthcoming interview with Dr. Richardson: Dr. Richardson lecture. Jeannine and team will on ESPN 7-8 pm east coast time today covering the San Felipe, with recordings of the Tampa Bay Derby and the Rebel Stakes.
Update 1612: Thank you Richard Zwirn for sharing your grief: Hope Springs.
Update 1611: The track was closed this morning and the horsepaths were not useable either so another day in the shedrow. I ended up riding six, so that means jogging about twelve miles. Hawty Creek was first to shedrow. She is doing well and I really need to get her in a race. We (her owner and I) forgot to enter her for a race today at Philadelphia Park. That actually turned out to be a good thing, they cancelled racing. Lets hope they write the race back next weekend and we enter. The two I shedrowed for Tim were Nonpariel and Grandma. Both were fine as were the three more I rode. One of the other trainer's in the barn, who I ride for, had a horse in at Laurel today. He was running a temperature this morning so had to be scratched. That's the problem with this time of year and the major swings in temperature, its easy for the horses to get sick. Anyway, a quiet morning without incident so a good thing. Hopefully now the weather will warm back up a bit, it is bright sunshine but we do have a snow covering and likely that will be here for a day or two.
Update 1610: The final trivia question, which was worth $100 to the horse rescue of choice of the winner, was won by Glenye Cain Oakford (Daily Racing Form writer and author of The Home Run Horse.) Glenye's response:
If I have my history straight, Renny prevented Bregawn from planting his feet, as he was wont to do, by walking him around at the start.
Incidentally, about Michael Dickinson: he also saddled a world-record 12 winners in a single day on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) of 1982.
Two horse rescues will benefit with a cheque for a $100 each (Glenye offered to also send a $100 contribution), they are Kentucky Equine Humane Center and Old Friends.
The Gold Cup at Cheltenham yesterday was won in emphatic style (despite a slight error at the last) by the heavy favourite and seemingly superstar Kauto Star: KAUTO EARNS A GOLD STAR, excerpt:
"This isn't just good for me, it is good for racing and he is a real superstar.
"All the talk about his jumping has been a load of rubbish, why couldn't people just concentrate on the fact he had won all his five races this season? He has silenced his critics now.
"Ruby knew what he had to do and I just told him to go out there and do what you do best.
"I told him to just have faith in him and that is what he did. It feels brilliant, it's absolutely unbelievable, I cannot tell you how nerve-wracking this last month has been.
#####TO ALL OUR SPECIAL LEPRECHAUN'
Look for the rainbow and you might see Barbaro over the rainbow
At the end of the rainbow
may you find a pot of gold
full of happiness and blessings
in all the luck that it holds
May the Luck of the Irish be with you
If I find my pot-o-gold it is going to the laminitis fund.
www.vet.upenn.edu/giving/giving_ways.html
Have a great day today
and a better day tomorrow
Posted by: Michelle GBI NE OH at March 17, 2007 11:01 AM