Barbaro Updates: 147
updates are now here.
Update 1130: Mrs. Jackson did visit Barbaro this morning (sunday morning) and all remains well. She had called to let us know.
updated 11:00am
Update 1129: Mr. Jackson called earlier this morning to say that he and Mrs. Jackson visited Barbaro Saturday afternoon after they had returned from Kentucky. Barbaro was able to get a chance to get outside to graze. Mrs. Jackson is planning on visiting Barbaro again this morning so I may get another update after that visit.
updated sunday 8:30am
Update 1128: Still no Barbaro update for the weekend. It is possible this may become the norm over the weekend at this stage. Of course I am still hoping for an update sometime today. Here is another article on the Jackson's from friday evening's charity auction: Jacksons Honored at Record TCA Auction. It includes the following excerpt:
"All we did this year was follow the leader, and the leader was Barbaro," declared Gretchen Jackson to great applause. "He has brought the horse community together and for its welfare."
Graham Motion has a nice graded stakes winner waiting for him when he himself moves down to Florida: Ballast makes the grade in Tropical Turf.
Emily writes an excellent (and somewhat amusing) post on How it feels to gallop on the new Tapeta. The Bloodhorse has an editorial on more global considerations of synthetic tracks: Spanning the Globe. The article actually finishes up discussing the issue that American horses rarely travel overseas to contest global racing events. We saw this in our coverage of the Japan Cup and Melbourne Cup (and likely the Hong Kong Vase which we are covering for next weekend).
Update 1127: Today's Barbaro update is prooving elusive, but I am still hopeful there will be an update later. I asked Jean (Fan of Barbaro, provider of the "Grow Hoof Grow!" poster that was hanging outside New Bolton, and featured in the ESPN piece prior to the Breeders' Cup) if she could replace the poster with a new one, as it was wearing out due to weather. She Fedex'd me a new version and I just drove over to hang it up. It looks great, although a little lonely (it is the only poster hanging on the gates at this point).
ShelleyA's Mr. Boxcar just ran second in a stake at Philadelphia Park (8th race), very impressive! I am glad to see Victor Molina was aboard (Red Aspen's regular rider). The Jackson's Stormy Kiss was third at Aqueduct. Ramon Dominguez, riding at Aqueduct, must think he is back at Delaware Park!
Barbaro Vigil 7 pm (east coast). Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, spare some time for Barbaro.
Update 1126: When I spoke to Mrs. Jackson yesterday, she was on her way to Kentucky. Of course I should have known why, but had forgotten! Here it is: Auction benefits equine charity. Thoroughbred Charities of America's annual event had moved to Kentucky for the first time this year. The article includes a nice photo of the Jackson's and the following excerpt:
Gretchen Jackson said it had been "an incredibly emotional year" for her and her husband, who live five minutes from the New Bolton Center where Barbaro is being treated. She visits him a couple of times a day, "just to see how he's doing."
Sometimes when she's feeling sad, she sits in the stall and talks to him, she said. "Just being around him is very calming," Jackson said.
The Jacksons and the "Barbaro team" of doctors and nurses from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine were honored last night. Accepting for the school's New Bolton Center was dean of Penn Vet, Joan Hendricks.
"Through and through a young stallion, a handful," Hendricks said of Barbaro. She described the look in his eyes after the injury: "If he hadn't had the bright eyes, everybody would have stopped."
Update 1125: Despite the dire predictions for the weather this morning, it turned out to be a beautiful morning. There were a few horses working for the first time on the synthetic (Tapeta) track. It looked like all worked well. The odd thing is, when you are on the dirt track you really cannot hear the horses galloping on the synthetic track. I assume that is a good thing. I galloped one over it a little later in the morning and the track was still quite consistent. It does not require a maintenance break, which is also a nice feature (you don't have to time your sets to avoid the break).
Hawty Creek worked 3/8ths this morning, and went very nicely. We had some visitors who were here to watch. Her owner (who used to be a trainer) and her breeder were also here to watch her go. She went in company with another horse of Tim's, it was a nice easy work. Anyway, all in all a very pleasant (suprisingly so given the weather forecast) morning to be outside and enjoying life.
Update 1124: As we know, Russell Baze broke Laffitt Pincay's record yesterday. This is of course well covered in the racing press:
9,531: Baze new No. 1
Baze Becomes Racing's All-Time Leading Rider!
Baze overtakes Pincay with record victory
Baze's record more Ripken than Rose
Here is the Barbaro "Life a Series of Small Steps" in China!
A "Fan of Barbaro" had this letter published: Letter: Save horses from slaughter. Feel free to comment.
I believe the Barbaro update today won't be until late in the day.
Congratulations to Russell Baze!
Posted by: Jo (UK) at December 2, 2006 11:18 AM