Barbaro Updates: 96
updates are now here.
Update 789: Bernardini was his usual impressive self today. I watched Dylan Thomas galloping by warming up for the race and he clearly did not like the dirt. Bernardini was brilliant. A nice round of applause after the race. We didn't see Dylan Thomas run today though as he did not handle this racetrack.
On to the Breeder's Cup now for Bernardini. We can't fault him for the lack of competition. The only question for Bernardini is we don't know what will happen when another horse stares him in the eye but try to find a horse that's running now who can do that!
Update 788: Three Grade I races run so far. Round Pond looked to run a good race, was very close to the pace early on but seemed to get a little tired. She came home a respectable third.
What can you say about Film Maker? She was awesome. Beaten on a head bob but to me, the best horse in the race. A massive performance. Honey Ryder won. For the sprint, heading for home Henny Hughes was absolutely galloping, he came past us two lengths ahead at the 1/16th pole. A nice performance. They are now loading in the gate for the turf classic.
Update 787: I just spoke to Peter Brette and Barbaro had another comfortable night last night (Friday night). Peter took Bobby out for a graze and then groomed him. I called Peter just as Round Pond was leaving the paddock. I was guessing he'd timed his visit to Barbaro in order to get somewhere afterwards to watch Round Pond run. She looked lovely in the paddock. Five Grade I races coming up and a very disappointing crowd in terms of numbers but the weather is nice.
Update 786: Arrived at Belmont...I went to the backside and saw Round Pond and Film Maker (the Fair Hill contingent). Both looked well and relaxed after their early morning van ride from Fair Hill. It's a little overcast here in New York but nice and breezy. I just bumped into Steve Jordan who used to be a trainer at Fair Hill. He now manages the Detention Barns at Belmont.
I'm still waiting for an update from Peter on Barbaro. He was a little late leaving the barn this morning to go for his visit. I'm hoping to hear from him shortly.
Update 785: Still no update. Michael has left for Belmont. I will see Peter before I leave, and I know Peter is planning to visit Barbaro today so I will get an update at some point. I'll have it posted here by a friend.
The rest of the morning was mostly the shedrow, which is actually probably the most dangerous of the "training tracks". A couple of the horses I shedrowed were pretty wild, I guess getting a little stir crazy from less exercise recently! Anway, we did survive, just.
For those going to Belmont, feel free to call me. It would be fun to meet up. I am not sure how busy Belmont will be, but I will have a Breeders' Cup hat on (Fusaichi Pegasus).
Update 784: No update yet this morning, Dr. Richardson has been away for the last couple of days and I assume that is still the case. Michael did say Barbaro was good last night when he visited, so last night is now the current update. Well the rain has not totally eased up. It is pretty drizzly. Nevertheless most horses will go out and train today, given tomorrow is sunday a day many like to take off. Thus far I have jogged two, two miles each. I'll likely have three - four more to do the same.
Update 783: I am not entirely sure when the Barbaro update will appear this morning. It seems the rain may have eased off. I imagine the dirt track will be sealed, so there won't be a lot of the usual saturday activity (breezing), but no doubt the track will be busy.
The Polytrack surface made its debut yesterday at Keeneland: Opener finds room for past. It appears to have received positive reviews from horsemen, here is an excerpt:
"I like it," jockey James Graham said after riding in the first two races Friday. "The horses seem to be getting over it okay. No problems. They might be going a little slower than they used to, but slow ain't so bad, is it?"
Veteran trainer Merrill Scherer, who sent out Tequila Party to a fourth-place finish in the second race, said he likes Polytrack because of the way it seems to keep horses sounder, but he added: "It's one-dimensional. You never get slop or mud or anything but the same old thing. That's good, I guess, but I kind of like the variety. This way, it's just, boom, here you go, same thing every day."
Good morning, Barbaro! Are you awake yet? Are you looking forward to a long graze today?
Good morning, all Fans of Barbaro! (Morning, Jo!) With all the racing today, I might just have to take myself up to the OTB place to keep up! I've never done that but I feel the day is coming.
It's very cold here in Maine this morning - My fur person, Zoe, is snuggled into her sheepskin bed and looks like she has no plans to move.
Off to find more coffee. Everyone have a great day and all runners come home safely.
Marg
Proud member, Fans of Barbaro
Posted by: Marg in Maine at October 7, 2006 10:38 AM