Barbaro Updates: 244
updates are now here.
Update 1681: Sheikh Mohammed has a vision and Dr. Richardson is among those impressed: Dubai Unveils Meydan Complex; Facility to Replace Racetrack, excerpt:
"It is a pretty amazing plan and you have to admire their imagination," said equine veterinarian Dr. Dean Richardson, who was in Dubai for the first time at the invitation of the Dubai Racing Club. Along with a veterinarian from the United Kingdom, Richardson was expected to offer advice and expertise as the Saturday World Cup races took place.
Based on his observation of how quickly Dubai is being developed, Richardson said there is no reason to think that Sheikh Mohammed's Meydan will not succeed.
Update 1680: Here are the Dubai World Cup Past Performances. The Dubai World Cup will be shown live on HRTV (first race 9:40 am east coast) and ABC has a Dubai World Cup show from 2:30 to 4:30 pm which should be spectacular. Unfortunately the Florida Derby will not be shown on network TV (NBC is showing it on their web-site) but will be live on HRTV.
And a first: Secretariat first equine to enter Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.
Update 1679: More generosity from the Fans of Barbaro: PLAQUE PRESENTATION.
Update 1678: Another lovely morning at Fair Hill, although it was rather chilly early. My left leg was stiff when I woke up this morning, so I was hoping it would be OK to ride. Hawty Creek was going to be my test. I also took one advil on my way into Fair Hill. I took Hawty Creek out back. As we were moving into the field I saw a deer silouetted at the top of the hill. It was pretty. I moved to a jog and my leg was hurting. It was hard to adjust to get it comfortable, but eventually I got it in a position that things were more than bearable. We jogged around the fields for a couple of miles. For my second set I had Nautical Agent, and she was to gallop a mile and a half. I was hopeful my leg would be fine, but I was also prepared to pull her up if that was not the case and discontinue riding for the day. Fortunately Nautical Agent went very nicely and my leg was very comfortable throughout the gallop (perhaps the advil had kicked in properly by then). I had a bit of a break and Nautical Agent, so I did Hawty's stall and cleaned her up while she was picking grass. I then had three more to ride, and each was jogging a couple of miles. All went well, including the last one which was the one I fell off yesterday. His trainer said the owner was pretty upset about me falling off, well these things happen, and we survived today, and hope tomorrow will be even better!
Its always nice to see Barbaro's caregivers honored, it begins:
The New Bolton Center, the veterinary clinic that treated 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, is the recipient of this year's Silver Horseshoe Award, the Kentucky Derby Festival has announced.
The Silver Horseshoe is given annually by the festival to a group or individual for significant contributions or service to the thoroughbred racing industry.
Update 1677: Jeannine just sent this e-mail from Dubai:
Friday morning was gorgeous here.... the weather has cleared, there was a light breeze, and it wasn't too hot. We went out at 6:15am to get some shots of Collier Hill for my report during the ABC telecast (2:30-4:30pm ET on Sat.) Jockey Dean McKeown was kind enough to stop and pose for us on Collier, although Collier's not too keen on standing still. He looked great galloping on the turf.... he's a 9-year-old with arthritic ankles, but he seemed to travel well. We also saw Invasor, who looks fantastic! I know his trainer, Keiran McLaughlin is extremely happy with his condition right now. He told me the only worry, is not being able to run on Lasix. He said he doesn't really need it, but you never know until they run a taxing race without it whether or not it will be a factor. Lava Man looks super.... it's so cool to see this Cinderella horse all the way over here in Dubai. He has certainly taken his connections on the ride of their lives. What a story he is. Honey Ryder, who's taking on the boys in the Sheema Classic, galloped as good as any horse I've seen out here. Watch out for her!! She took my breath away this morning.
The party last night was breathtaking!!! It was literally in the middle of the desert, in big tents, with pillows to sit on, elaborate buffet stations set up, lots and lots of interesting food, and about 3000 people milling around. We rode camels, held falcons, and watched a fire dancing display before a fantastic fireworks show culminated the evening. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was there eating, just like the rest of us.
Lo and behold, as I was out walking near the rail just a little while ago (around 8:30am here) I spotted a familiar face, who was looking at me and smiling. It was none other Dr. Richardson! I knew the Jacksons were coming, but didn't know Dr. R. was coming. We hugged and he teased me about "making him look bad on the TV last week..." (referring to the ESPN interview during which he choked up.) I said "Do you know how overwhelming the response to that piece has been?? Do you know how you have endeared yourself to so many with your sentiments in that piece??" He said I was a bully making him cry. Then he said even his wife liked the feature, so it must have been good. We had a nice chat, I introduced him to one of our producers, and he said he was looking for me at the party last night, but with 3000 people milling around, it was kind of hard to find people. Then he said, "But most importantly, how's Jessie doing??" He's more interested in how Jessie's leg is healing than anything. I gave him a status report, she's doing well. He said he will be going to visit Sheikh Mohammed's state of the art Vet Clinic/Hospital here today, and I'm sure we'll see him tomorrow during the races. He seemed relaxed, happy, and said he was blown away by the party last night. It was really good to see him, and I hope he and the Jacksons have a marvelous time here in Dubai.
Hope all is well back in the states! And if any of you are sending notes to Dr. R, be sure to tell him he did NOT look bad in that ESPN feature, quite the contrary, he showed what a remarkably dedicated and compassionate man he is. ( I told him this, but it might sink in better if it comes from some of you guys.)
Pictures from the Arabian Nights party thursday night.
Pictures from Nad Al Sheba friday morning.
Unfortunately Collier Hill was scratched from saturday's race after exercise friday morning. I just got off the phone with his jockey, Dean McKeown. Dean said he galloped well this morning (and you can see Jeannine's pictures of him), cooled out well but they noticed he was not 100 percent afterwards. He is a nine year old and they want to be very careful with him and want to be able to campaign him in other races later in the year. Dean felt that by risking him tomorrow, he may be in jeopardy of running his last race. He has been too important to them to risk running if they think he is not 100 percent. A tough call to make given he was coming off the best race of his career (win in the Hong Kong Vase), but a necessary and right decision.
Good Morning Barbaro!!
Good Morning Alex!!
Good Morning Barbaro Nation!!
Have a wonderful day everyone!!
Alex, I hope everything is okay with you this morning after yesterday.
I believe in Barbaro!!
Posted by: Debbie Cline at March 30, 2007 10:48 AM