Barbaro Updates: 247
updates are now here.
Update 1701: Steve Haskin provides his assessment of the Florida Derby: Kentucky Derby Trail: Make Room For Daddy, it can be summarized in this paragraph:
Now come the questions: would Chelokee have won with a clean trip? How strong was this race in general? The feeling here is that Chelokee very well could have gotten second, but Scat Daddy just looked too strong and is too classy a horse. As for the strength of the race, it is unwise to judge the quality of a grade I field immediately after the race. Just ask all those who tossed out every horse coming out of the 2005 Santa Anita Derby. What you can do is look at the fifth-place finish by Boogie Boggs, who was coming off only three career starts, all sprints and no stakes, yet was beaten only 4 1/4 lengths. Boogie Boggs has shown potential and could be a good horse in the making, so you'll have to judge for yourself whether his performance here was any reflection of the quality of the field.
Update 1700: Tim's Who's Happy broke her maiden this afternoon, the sixth race at Philadelphia Park. Tim was convinced she would run well when he stretched her out, and he was right. Victor Molina gave her a tremendous ride. She sat back off the early pace, which was inevitably fast. He made a run at the half mile pole and kept at her throughout to just get herself in front where it counted. A great win, congratulations to Fiasco Farm. Tim was washing her off when I called him.
Update 1699: Hard Spun's next race is not yet decided: Hard Spun's schedule still a work in progress, excerpt:
"I'm a little concerned with the Oaklawn deal," Jones said. "I feel like it could be an issue.. What I've seen of my horse, I think he's going to like Pimlico and Belmont Park" - home of the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown - "but Churchill, they have so much clay in it and it gets a little cuppy. After [next] Tuesday, we'll have a lot better idea. You can read into that what you want."
Read it this way: Jones, who is based at Delaware Park, is certainly covering his bases. If he decides Hard Spun isn't taking to Churchill, he'll be talking to owner Rick Porter of Wilmington, who confirmed that they've been discussing all their options and want to give their horse the best chance to win a Triple Crown race.
Update 1698: A little foggy this morning but decent weather nonetheless at Fair Hill. I had six to ride, very much the same morning as yesterday morning. Hawty Creek went out first, and we went across the fields out back. I could not see as well (fog) but we found our way around. I cantered her up a hill a couple of times, she felt great. We also entered her for a race on saturday at Philadelphia Park, so I hope they use the race (we will know later this afternoon).
The two I rode for Tim were Nonpariel and Gator Nation. Nonpariel galloped a mile and a half on the dirt track in company with Tim on Quick Quest. I was about a length in front most of the way and they both went well. Gator Nation jogged two miles again, typical training after a race. I then had one more to go out back, and then two more to the track, which both jogged a couple of miles. One of those is the one who dumped me the other day, he seems to be settling in much better now ... I am hopeful of not getting dumped again. My leg continues to improve.
Another successful rescue by Fans of Barbaro, this time in Europe: XXURGENT!! 2 Friesans +3 others dieTUE!. Fans of Barbaro also supported the successful repatriation of Wallenda: WALLENDA IS ALMOST HOME!, along with Dogwood Stable and many others.
Update 1697: NoBiz is coming up to the Wood Memorial with a more serious work regiment and will have blinkers added, the hope is this will increase his focus. He faces a very tough challenger in Circular Quay. Many people think Circular Quay is Todd Pletcher's best chance at a Derby win. This should be another very good Derby prep: Nobiz Like Shobiz a work in progress
The Keeneland meet opens friday, and many Derby contenders are planning to use Keeneland for their final preparations (update 1696 for example). Stall applications appear to be up, much of the increased interest in Keeneland is being attributed to the Polytrack: Keeneland unveils new website, gears up for spring meet.
Good morning, Barbaro! Good morning, Alex! Good morning, fellow Fans!
We're back to winter in Maine this morning with white ground and wet roads. Ah, love it!
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Susan E. - Thanks for the welcome back yesterday and a big purr and "Hi" to Lizzie.
Between the NTRA ads during the Dubai coverage on Saturday and reading the article in Smithsonian on Sunday, I find myself missing the Big Bay One more than ever. I can only imagine the hopeful lives his connections were living last year at this time. But now there is hope, too....Hope that there will be a prevention/cure for laminitis. Hope that the slaughterhouses will be put out of business and all horses will be safe. Hope that the tracks will do the right thing to lessen the heavy toll taken on thoroughbreds' bodies. This is my hope, too. This is why I keep calling and donating.
Marg in Maine
I get it!
Proud (and hopeful) Fan of Barbaro forever
Posted by: Marg in Maine at April 3, 2007 10:48 AM