Barbaro Updates: 267
updates are now here.
Update 1827: Xchanger, who many saw yesterday at Fair Hill is still being considered for the Derby: Maryland-Based Xchanger Likely for Derby. Jeannine Edwards and the ESPN crew are now at Churchill ESPN at Churchill Downs.
Update 1826: Mike Jensen attended our celebrations yesterday, this is what he wrote: Fans of Barbaro gather to celebrate his birthday.
The work tab this morning for the Derby included Steve Asmussen's pair: Curlin, Zanjero Work for Asmussen as Derby Week Kicks Off and Hard Spun: Hard Spun Blazes Five Furlongs in :57 3/5. Clearly Hard Spun's work was fast!
Update 1825: This is a real treat, Barbaro's baby brother, at 7 days old, narrated by Headley Bell: Video of Barbaro's new brother.
Update 1824: Additional media coverage from our celebrations yesterday: Wilmington News Journal Remembering Barbaro, Daily News Barbaro's spirit lives: At Delaware Park, fans join to honor fallen colt and WJZ Fans Gather To Honor Barbaro On His Birthday.
A quiet morning this morning at Fair Hill. I only had four to ride, which suited me after the weekend festivities! First was Quick Quest, he went to jog two miles on the dirt track, his first day out after a breeze on saturday. Tim jogged Who's Happy, she is running tomorrow at Philadelphia Park. My next horse was Tim's Whip Smart. She went out back and galloped across the fields. She was very relaxed and seemed to enjoy it. My final two included a half mile breezer on the dirt track. The filly breezed well and may be making her first start soon. Nice weather this morning to add to the pleasantness of having an easy morning.
Update 1823: Wendy's photographs from sunday afternoon's events at Delaware Park: my afternoon at Del Park photos (they showcase at least one surprise guest).
Update 1822: It will take a few days to fully process this weekend's celebrations, in the meantime here is some more coverage, this time the Thororoughbred Times: Barbaro's birthday celebrated at Delaware Park.
During the formal remarks, Jeannine Edwards read out a note from Edgar Prado, here it is:
BARBARO..... WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME TO PRONOUNCE. HE GAVE ME THE BIGGEST THRILL IN MY LIFE.... (SECOND ONLY TO MY KIDS BEING BORN.)
HE CHANGED THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE.... NOT ONLY BECAUSE HE WON THE DERBY, BUT BECAUSE OF THE HEART, COURAGE AND WILL TO LIVE HE SHOWED, EVEN AGAINST THE ODDS.
HE NEVER GAVE UP, HE FOUGHT SO HARD EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. HE TAUGHT US THAT TO GIVE UP IS NOT AN OPTION.
HE BEGAN THE FLAME OF HOPE THAT NEARLY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.... BUT WE MUST PUT OUR HEARTS INTO IT, IT IS UP TO US NOW TO ENSURE THIS FLAME WILL NEVER BE EXTINGUISHED.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER HIM AS A TRUE CHAMPION AND A FIGHTER. THOSE WHO SAW HIM SAW GREATNESS.... HE LEFT HIS MARK ON HORSE RACING.
TO ALL THE FANS..... THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH THE ROUGH TIMES. YOUR CALLS, EMAILS, AND LETTERS REALLY HELPED ME STAY ON MY FEET.
BARBARO BROUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER... PEOPLE THAT REALLY LOVE THE SPORT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, REALLY CARE ABOUT THE ANIMALS. BARBARO STOLE THOSE HEARTS FOREVER.
THANK YOU FOR BEING LOVING, CARING PEOPLE. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE STILL GREAT FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD. WE MUST CONTINUE TO RAISE OUR VOICES TOGETHER..... ESPECIALLY IN THE NAME OF A HORSE THAT WE LOVED SO MUCH AND WHO BROUGHT SUCH JOY INTO OUR LIVES.
BARBARO IS GONE, BUT STILL LIVES IN OUR HEARTS, AND WILL FOREVER. THANK YOU BARBARO FOR MAKING ME A BETTER PERSON. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE RIDE OF MY LIFE. THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY DREAM COME TRUE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME LOVE YOU.
I MISS YOU, MY FRIEND, AND ALWAYS WILL. HOPE TO SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD AND WE CAN BE REUNITED FOR ONE MORE RIDE.
EDGAR PRADO
The Derby work tab was very busy on sunday. Pletcher worked his five contenders, with Angel Cordero in the irons for those working at Keeneland: Steve Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher Bids Farewell to Keeneland. Tiago , Stormello, Dominican, Tueflesburg and NoBiz were among others that worked: Nobiz Like Shobiz Zips Five Furlongs at Belmont Park.
Good morning Alex and FOBs.
It sounds like everyone had a wonderful time at the birthday celebrations! What a great way to pay tribute to Barbaro!
Edgar's words are so moving; it's obvious how much he cared for Barbaro.
I was unable to attend any of the celebrations, but my family and I did observe Barbaro's birthday by watching...hockey. :((Oh, well.)
Everyone enjoy Derby Week!
Posted by: Jannie at April 30, 2007 11:03 AM