Barbaro Updates: 268
updates are now here.
Update 1834: A good decision regarding Xchanger, no matter how much we (Fair Hill) wanted another Derby runner: Xchanger out of Derby, Imawildandcrazyguy In, excerpt:
"In the best interest of the horse and us, we've decided to look at the Preakness (gr. I)," Shuman said. "I've said all along that the reason we would go to the Derby is if the horse sold to someone who was buying him to go there. There were some offers and a substantial amount of money involved, and if we hadn't explored all of our options, we would have been crazy. But it wouldn't be fair to the horse or the new owners to rush in there. We're all very comfortable with the decision."
Here is Who's Happy's winning chart.
Update 1833: Who's Happy won "under wraps" this afternoon at Philadelphia Park. Victor Molina again rode a perfect race on her, she exploded at the head of the stretch and came home easily. While Who's Happy was not one of the horses who trained on sunday for all to see, she was brought out of the barn to show later in the morning. A nice big rangy bay 3yo filly who is now undefeated going long! Congratulations to Fiasco Farm.
Update 1832: Cobalt Blue is now out of the Derby: Teuflesberg in Derby After Cobalt Blue's Defection.
NBC has now rescheduled their Barbaro documentary to air on their regular network at 8 pm on saturday: Barbaro Documentary Will Air on NBC After Derby.
FOB photographer Wendy spent an extra day at Fair Hill on monday and has more pictures (some very cool ones of Better Talk Now): The Day After Barbaro's B-day photos.
Update 1831: Jeannine Edwards took some great pictures this morning from Churchill: ESPN at Churchill Downs, Jeannine also had this to report:
A fairly productive morning at Churchill. Hard Spun is jumping out of his skin! Cindy and Larry Jones both said they thought he was on top of his game before the Lane's End, but they said believe it or not, he's doing 10 times better now! They're very excited. We're still waiting to hear if Cobalt Blue is running.... We told Doug O'Neill to please run him, as we just shot a lengthy interview with Cobalt's owner, Merv Griffin, for a major feature we are putting together. We should know something soon. Street Sense also looked phenomenal.... couldn't be doing any better.
Update 1830: A couple more very good articles that note the outpouring of support that Barbaro has created for horse welfare issues, support that you provide: May The Horse Be With You and Memories of Barbaro dominate Kentucky Derby week
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Street Sense may be the last of the workers coming up to the Derby, working this morning 5/8ths in 1:01: Street Sense Completes Derby Preparations.
Update 1829: A nice quiet morning for me this morning, with four to ride. Its likely to be like that for the best part of the next month. Three of those four were for Tim. First out was Quick Quest. I went to the Tapeta track on him with Tim on Whip Smart. They galloped a mile and a quarter together and went very nicely. I started on the outside of Tim, then dropped back a little and brought Quest up the inside. Very relaxed. Second to go was Grandma, Tim was on Nonpariel and we took them across the fields. We were debriefing about the weekend events and plans for the sites going forward (we both appreciate how important the sites are for many reasons) when Tim said "Look at that hawk" ... I couldn't because Grandma wheeled to the left away from the hawk who was flying low across the grass about 30 feet in front of us. Fortunately I did not fall off, but it was close. We jogged around and they both seem in good order after their work on sunday. My final set for Tim was Real Lace, who again was going out for the first time since her work on sunday. She jogged two miles on the dirt track and all was well.
My final horse, Precious Partner, went to the Tapeta track for a little breeze. She went well. As I was coming on the track I noticed Xchanger galloping by, Mark Shuman was observing on the rail. I asked him about their Derby plans ... still seem undecided. I guess they will have to make their decision very soon! I also spoke with Mike Jensen after I was finished. He is at Churchill. He saw the Hard Spun connections this morning and they noted all was well after his fast breeze yesterday. They are very happy with how the horse is doing at this point.
Tim has Who's Happy in at Philadelphia Park this afternoon.
Update 1828: Steve Haskin's report debates the benefits of Hard Spun's electrifying work yesterday: Steve Haskin's Derby Report: Spunrise at the Downs. The question is whether the work of 57 and 3, five days before the Derby, was too fast or is Hard Spun simply that good ?
A decision as to whether to run Cobalt Blue in the Derby is being made this morning after his training: Cobalt Blue May Miss Derby; Would Open Door for Teuflesberg excerpt:
Considering the questions about Cobalt Blue's readiness, O'Neill said he would send the Golden Missile colt on a "two-minute lick" (gallop around the track) at 7 a.m. (ET) Tuesday. Based on what he relays to Griffin from that exercise regimen, a decision will be made by 10 a.m. Tuesday on whether to enter the Derby.
"Even though Merv would love to have a Derby starter, he is going to do what is best for the horse," O'Neill said.
Morning All,
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