Barbaro Updates: 262
Update 1782: I just spoke to Mike Jensen, he was just leaving Mill Ridge Farm after seeing La Ville Rouge and her new son. He was excited to see them being turned out and seeing Barbaro's little brother outside!
Update 1781: A lovely morning this morning at Fair Hill, although a little foggy early. I had a nice easy morning with only five to ride. First out was Hawty Creek and I decided to take her across the fields. We just did a light jog and hack around. She was fine and reasonably quiet until she got close to home and saw one of Michael Matz's horses galloping around a paddock. A typically Hawty buck followed, but the neck strap kept me in place.
My next two were for Tim. Mediman galloped a mile and a quarter on the Tapeta track. She went well. Tim breezed Real Lace at that time, she went a half and Tim was happy with her. Next was Nonpariel, and she went out with Tim on Quick Quest ... we went across the fields to gallop up the hill twice. They went nicely, although it was a little crowded with a set of Steve Klesaris' out there too. My final two included a breezer. We open galloped a quarter and then breezed 3/8ths. All went well, to wrap up a nice easy morning. Tim has Gator Nation in the 10th race at Laurel, back on the turf, so he should run well.
Mrs. Jackson's voice-mail this morning also included her feedback on the NBC documentary that will air on April 29 at 5 pm (we will be able to show it on a few of the screens at Delaware Park). She was effusive in her praise for the job NBC had done putting this documentary together. She noted that many people were interviewed for the piece including Mike Jensen and Gary Stevens, and she was just very happy with how it all had turned out.
Update 1780: Mrs. Jackson left a message at 7:15 am this morning. She had just received a fax: Barbaro's baby brother was born at 2:08 am this morning weighing in at 148 pounds. All appears well at this early stage.
Update 1779: Steve Haskin provides his assessment of the Lexington Stakes, which is the last graded stakes for three year olds coming up to the Derby, but given its close proximity to the Derby is not considered a prep by many: Haskin's Lexington Preview: And Then There Was One. The Lexington will be broadcast on ESPN2 along with the Tesio Stakes from Pimlico.
The Illinois House passed a bill to permanently shut down horse slaughter within its state. The bill needs to go through its senate. The slaughter plant is currently not in operation as is the case with the two Texas plants: Illinois House Passes Anti-Slaughter Bill.
Finally, California is considering adding additional penalties for drug violations: Calif. Owners Could Face Fines When Horses Test Positive.
Update 1778: This is huge news: Santa Anita gets 2008 Breeders' Cup. The Breeders' Cup will be run on a synthetic track for the first time!
Update 1777: The Kentucky Equine Humane Center is now officially open: Kentucky Equine Humane Center Officially Opens, the following are excerpts:
"This is an opportunity for all of us to do the right thing and play a role in ensuring the welfare and humane treatment of horses here in Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World," said the organization's president, Staci Hancock. "With Kentucky's signature event, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), just around the corner, we believe it is an ideal time to open our doors and bring attention to the plight of horses that are at risk."
and
Derby winning trainer Nick Zito (Strike The Gold and Go For Gin), and his wife Kim, are on the KyEHC board of advisors. According to Nick Zito, "Regardless of pedigree or performance, all horses have to be treated the same. Consequently, we all have the same responsibilities to meet those needs, whether we are working with Kentucky Derby winners or horses that are just horses. Again, they have to be treated the same."
Here is their web-site: KENTUCKY EQUINE HUMANE CENTER.
Update 1776: Its slowly getting warmer, but slowly. Michael Matz's crew are starting to come back. They had a few horses go to the track today, but it will be a while before they are all returned. Looks like Gray (sp ?) is running the show for the time being.
I had seven to ride. At the beginning of the morning I thought it was only going to be five, and I was quite excited at the prospect of leaving early and taking a nap. Oh well. Hawty Creek was first to go, and second onto the Tapeta track. Again we jogged forward to about halfway down the backside and galloped a mile and 3/8ths, once around and back to the wire. She was in good spirits, and fired up on her way home. Lets hope that is a good sign, but it is not always the case. My two for Tim were Mediman, who jogged two miles on the dirt, and Grandma, who went across the fields with Tim on Quick Quest. We gave them a couple of gallops up a hill and they went nicely. Of the four remaining one was a breezer. He breezed 3/8ths on the Tapeta track and actually seemed to breeze very well. 3/8ths is the perfect distance to breeze any horse, any further and they might start getting tired, and you might have to start really riding them!
All in all a decent morning, that still required long johns!
Update 1775: Jockeys' agents are finalizing their plans for their jockeys for the Derby: Pletcher Settles on Derby Riders; Other Jockeys Finalize Plans. There do not appear to be any real suprises at this stage.
ESPN2 will be broadcasting the Lexington and Federico Tesio on saturday, the former being a last chance for someone to consider the Derby, the latter a race local to the Preakness: Lexington, Federico Tesio to Air on ESPN2 April 21. Fair Hill's Xchanger is scheduled to run in the Tesio. Jeannine Edwards will provide us an update on the coverage later in the week.
Finally I was at Delaware Park yesterday finalizing some of the plans developed by Sharon and her team for the events next weekend. We now have capacity for 550 to attend, so we have more room for late comers wishing to sign up. Other details will be added to the Barbaro Celebration page. For the fundraiser the night before about 180 people have noted they will attend, again, the more the merrier. I had a conversation with Thoroughbred Charities of America, all proceeds can go to them, and they will then forward half to the New Bolton for their Laminitis Fund. Everyone who buys something can then write a cheque to TCA and will get a receipt for tax purposes. Lots of details are now starting to fall into place.
Support the Rescues!
http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/messages?msg=7691.1
Thank You!!
Posted by: laserRob at April 19, 2007 10:47 AM