Barbaro Updates: 641

Posted July 24, 2008

Update 3795: Thoroughbred Brief proposes a working relationship between the racing industry and horse sports industry to help our thoroughbreds transition from one to the other: The Thoroughbred Manifesto: a Proposal.

Update 3794: Interesting video as industry professionals speculate as to why the average number of starts for a racehorse has steadily declined. A few point to our liberal medication rules, yet don't seem to make the case as to why that would be. The final speaker makes a couple of interesting observations: Losing the Iron Horse? - Part 1

Update 3793: This morning was one of those perfectly pleasant mornings at Woodbine. While the sun was not out, the weather was pleasant and all the horses went nicely. We had eight sets. Five before the break and then three after the break which all went to the gate for some gate schooling. Very pleasant.

We have a couple of runners this afternoon, and as is customary, the state vets came to inspect them. I have to say the checks they perform here at Woodbine are pretty thorough. Flexing joints, watching them jog up and down the shedrow. And they do scratch horses. Ours will be running this afternoon.

Update 3792: Yesterday was opening day at Saratoga. We had a nice winner in the stakes race, but not with the horse most expected: Jardin Surprises in Schuylerville Opener.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:57 AM | Comments (139)

Barbaro Updates: 640

Posted July 23, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3791: A nice update on Nicanor's blog regarding his appearance during the weekend of Barbaro celebrations: Nicanor Included in Celebration of Barbaro Event.

Update 3790: A couple of updates from Penny at timwoolleyracing.com.

First a video, which is very cool: Working with the Woolley's Vol. 1.

Secondly an update on the weekend's events:

After a busy weekend Tim is beginning to recover. Who's Happy made the trip to Presque Isle and won very nicely. She came back and looked no worse for the trip. Vicar's Tune ran a great race at Colonial Downs. He was in against a couple of tough horses and just got nosed out for third place. He tries so hard. Upon his return he had a sore eye but no ulcer in it. Treating it for a couple of days really helped and he is fine this morning but still a bit tired. Rajasthan also ran a great race. He was battling it out down the lane when a horse flew by in the last few strides to win it. He did well for getting second. I stopped by to see him on Sunday and he was relaxed in his stall but was a bit grumpy! I wen't into his stall and gently held his halter while I gave him a smooch. I was sure to watch when I turned by back because as I said He was very grumpy.. We have tried to enter Saar Treaty in a long race on the turf at Colonial and the race did not go. Another race was picked out going five and a half but when Tim called about it there had been only two entries. I'm sure the race won't go! We will keep looking. Rose Campbell has returned to the track after her race and she seems fine. Truimphant has not missed a meal since his gelding and continues to demand all of the attention in the barn. Paris Night is training nicely after her break. She now lives in a corner stall and enjoys spending the day looking out of her huge window. Sweet Ginger Brown and King Congaree continue their quest towards the races and both are doing great. We did however take the mat away from Ginger that was in the front of her stall because she was keeping her neighbors up at night playing with it. We found the mat inside her stall in a heep. Mrs MVP was on the track this morning and she looks like she is filling out a bit. She is such a sweet girl and has done everything we've asked of her. Binkley is back to bounding on his friend who is not at all amused. The are such a treat to watch. Anyway, not a lot of racing going on this week. We have a new video of Woolley racing done by Mooney Myth Productions. As soon as we figure out how to put it up you all must watch it . It is a hoot!!

Update 3789: While some of this article I feel is not exactly accurate, the answer proposed for caring for our thoroughbreds in retirement is certainly necessary: Long Term Care - by Herb Moelis, excerpt:

To depend on voluntary individual donations would be futile.

There is a very logical and simple way to raise money for this purpose. When owners register their foals The Jockey Club requires a registration form to be filed with payment of $200. Why can't we add $50 to provide for care of the foal for life? This would be similar to a Social Security program for horses.

There are approximately 40,000 Thoroughbreds registered each year. At $50 each the total amount assessed annually would be $2 million. This would go a long way to providing a decent life for all Thoroughbreds after their racing careers. A Social Security system is the most feasible way to help, and The Jockey Club is the most logical agent for this project.

Update 3788: Seven sets this morning. One of our riders had the day off with all the workers we had yesterday that then had a day off today. Three of mine went to the gate for a little gate schooling. All went nicely. The track was busy again this morning, I am guessing with all the wet weather we have had that not many people are using the training track. All in all a pleasant morning's work at Woodbine.

Update 3787: A nice article about a recent save: Yourgie's Second Chance, excerpt:

Still, even the horse world is divided on the issue. Staunch opponents like Alex Brown of Alex Brown Racing, an online horse racing community, say it's a matter of accountability.

"The issue is that you can get a couple hundred dollars from the horse dealer for your horse and then it goes into the slaughter pipeline versus paying a couple hundred dollars to have it humanely euthanized," he says. "So there's probably like a 500-or 600-dollar swing at the end of the day when you talk about humanely euthanizing your horse and disposing of its carcass." But Brown adds that this shouldn't deter owners from euthanizing horses. "Do the right thing by your horse," he says. "Don't be an ass."

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 10:07 AM | Comments (100)

Barbaro Updates: 639

Posted July 22, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3786: Jeremy Rose has had his suspension reduced: Rose Suspension Reduced to 90 Days.

Update 3785: Superfecta here, with your regular weekly update.

This week has already seen its share of speculation about Lava Man's future after his last-place finish in the Eddie Read Handicap; his connections seem to be leaning very strongly toward his retirement.

It seems clear that the 7-year-old gelding is past his peak as a racehorse; his recent effort was his sixth loss in a row. His last win, in the Gold Cup, was very hard-fought indeed and some suggest that it may have taken the wind out of his sails to a certain extent.

However, Lava Man himself seems to be following the path recently blazed by Funny Cide -- he clearly thrives on training and life at the track, but doesn't seem as interested anymore when it's time for a real race. Given all that he has accomplished (going from $50,000 claimer to over $5 million in earnings), it seems that the timing may be right for him to emulate Funny Cide yet again and become a stable pony. While not specifically outlining that strategy, trainer Doug O'Neill sounds ready to make the call:

"It's so frustrating because he trains so well and he looks good physically," O'Neill said. "But at the same time, he's a fan favorite, he's lost six in a row and just to retire him sound would be a good feeling.

"Unofficially, he's retired in my mind, but the owners want some time to think about it."

Some may suggest that a stall is waiting for him at Kentucky Horse Park (and, indeed, that might be a good place for him at some point down the line), but given his determined efforts not to win outside his California home (and everyone knows a Californian who has tried, and failed, to live elsewhere, only to wind up back in California), I would keep him with his friends at Santa Anita, but perhaps in a new role. Green But Game asks what you would do with Lava Man here.

In the meantime, Curlin (whose own more official poll continues until the end of July) worked out at Saratoga over a sloppy track; his younger stablemate Pyro also took to the mud in a workout for the Jim Dandy on Sunday -- Saratoga is almost upon us...

Update 3784: A quiet morning for me this morning, I only had four to ride. We had lots of workers as well as a few horses with the day off. The four I rode all went nice and easily for a trouble free morning for me. The siren did go off a couple of times and I saw a couple of loose horses tearing off through the tunnel to exit the track.

The OTTB of the Week competition is nearing it's conclusion with the last selections. While we had planned to select eight finalists altogether, you have to indulge us as we actually selected ten. The final three finalists to join the seven already selected are:

Courageous Comet
Sabovee
Carson City Kid

Congratulations to all those selected and to all those who have thus far added their OTTBs to the OTTB project. You are helping promote these amazing athletes.

Next week we will figure out a voting mechanism so everyone can vote on their favorite selection. The winner will receive $500 to go to their horse rescue of choice.

Update 3783: Curlin had his first work yesterday since his second in the Man o' War. He went an easy half mile: Curlin Back on Work Tab at Saratoga.

Please keep calling, writing and making appointments.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:58 AM | Comments (34)

Barbaro Updates: 638

Posted July 21, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3782: It looks like Lava Man is retiring after his race yesterday in the Eddie Read: Lava Man's career likely over.

Update 3781: Excellent news. Witt Ante, who is on our Top Bunk List, and ran on Friday at Evangeline Downs for $4k, has been retired by his Breeder! Witt Ante was mentioned in the Daily Racing Form article this weekend: Ask the Lord gets new life on farm.

Update 3780: Big Brown pleases in his most recent work on Sunday. He is preparing for the August 3rd Haskell at Monmouth Park: Big Brown in Sharp Work for Haskell.

Update 3779: A nice and easy morning this morning. I only had five sets, four before the break and one after the break. All galloped nicely. The wet weather of late appears to have driven trainers from the training track to the main track, it was very busy out there this morning!

Jen provides a nice wrap up of all the weekend activity here at Woodbine: FIRED UP.

Update 3778: Lava Man was unable to maintain his position and faded late in the stretch in the thrilling Eddie Read at Del Mar: Monzante Zooms to Eddie Read Triumph.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:57 AM | Comments (59)

Barbaro Updates: 637

Posted July 19, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3777: Found on PaulickReport:

Gift horses may be going to slaughter.

Update 3776: Wet wet wet. I think that might also be a band name, but it aptly describes the weather here at Woodbine this morning. And probably this afternoon. We had seven sets, five before the break and two after the break. All mine went nicely, which under the slippy conditions is always a good thing. I did see one loose horse, walking out of the tunnel! Anyway, a good day to look forward to the post work shower!

Update 3775: Today's racing is highlighted by Lava Man's attempt to return to the winner's circle in the Grade 1 Eddie Read: Lava Man gives connections confidence entering Eddie Read.

Music Note, fresh from her upset win in the Mother Goose, dominated the Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday at Belmont Park: Music Note dominates short field in CCA Oaks.

Update 3774: Evening Attire, at age 10, won his first race outside of New York and "qualified" to run in the Breeders' Cup. He last ran in the Breeders' Cup five years ago: Ageless Evening Attire Earns BC Berth.

Big Brown remains on schedule for a return in the Haskell: Big Brown on schedule for Haskell.

Update 3773: Another hot morning this morning at Woodbine. Thankfully we only had six sets, five before the break and one after the break. All went nicely for a very straightforward morning's work. I will be returning a little later to help paddock school one of our runners for tomorrow. We also have a couple of runners in the 2yo stakes race later i the afternoon. Should be a fun day at the races.

Update 3772: A great article on the retirement of Ask the Lord: Ask the Lord gets new life on farm, excerpt:

"It's about the dignity of the animal," said Alex Brown, a Woodbine-based exercise rider who runs the website alexbrownracing.com, the home of the Fans of Barbaro. "These guys have made a lot of money. They served the industry very well. They've had the high accolades, and now they're running in races that don't really befit the quality of horse that they once were."

And congratulations to Tim Woolley for his first stakes win of the year with the impressive Who's Happy winning the First Approach at Presque Isle! That's Happy's second stakes win at the track.

Posted by Alex at 10:04 AM | Comments (136)

Barbaro Updates: 636

Posted July 18, 2008

updates are now here.

Update 3771: Two ladies of interest running tonight. Hawty Creek is running in the second race at Penn National, an allowance race on the turf. Who's Happy is running in the seventh race at Presque Isle, a stakes race.

Update 3770: Thoroughbred Brief examines Kenny McPeek's idea to use the Graded Stakes system to eliminate Steroids for horse racing: High Stakes - The Limits of Private Regulation.

Update 3769: A truly muggy morning this morning at Woodbine. Perhaps the muggiest of the year so far. No worries, if it is muggy here, I wonder how it is down there! I had eight sets, five before the break and three after the break that all schooled in the gate. All went nicely. Muggy weather usually keeps the horses a little on the quieter side. During the break I headed over to the track kitchen, which is becoming my routine. Then to the HBPA Office and enjoy the air conditioning, and chat with Corrine who runs the office.

All in all a decent morning's work. We have a few runners this afternoon, and I may head back to the track!

Update 3768: Thoroughbred racing returns to Michigan today with the opening of Pinnacle Race Course in the Detroit area: Pinnacle Race Course debuts on Friday.

Red Rocks will now remain in the US, his possible next start will be at Saratoga: Red Rocks staying in U.S. with Hennig.

Please keep calling and writing.

For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.

Posted by Alex at 9:55 AM | Comments (94)