Barbaro Updates: 358
updates are now here.
Update 2313: As noted earlier today, Lava Man is running on sunday in the Pacific Classic (he won the race last year): Lava Man Could Stir Up Emotions at Del Mar, excerpt:
Shaping up to be an exciting race with a possible 13-horse field, including the Bruce Headley-trained Arson Squad, the Pacific Classic will be run three days after a poker tournament benefit for Lava Man's groom, Noe Garcia, who recently lost his arm in an automobile accident.
"It has been a rough month with Noe, and then with Merv Griffin passing the other day, but we hope Sunday brings it all together," said Dennis O'Neill, who assists his brother, Doug, with his stable. "It will be a very emotional day with Lava Man running, and Noe is supposed to come out (for the race), so that will even make it more meaningful."
O'Neill said there is a goal of raising at least $100,000 at the poker tournament to assist Garcia's recovery and rehabilitation, as well as helping the groom obtain a prosthetic arm.
ESPN2 will be covering this race, 7 - 8 pm east coast time.
Off to the races: (Penn National.)
Update 2312: An update from Penny at timwoolleyracing.com (nice to hear Grandma is returning):
How much better does it get? To train in such a beautiful place and to have such nice weather is such a blessing. We are so lucky. We were at the barn last night until 9:30 with a great blacksmith. Sonny Brodhas came to look at Two of Wands to make sure her feet looked good. He has some really great suggestions. Having a great blacksmith is just one more piece of the puzzle. Tim and I picked his brain like vulchers! He answered all of our questions and tried to explain things in terms we could understand. He also said that he only wished he was as good as some people think he is. To us he was pretty incredible. Here is a person who has taken a lifetime to study his art and he does his very best to shoe a horse without interfering with the horses natural motion. What a humble person. It will be an interesting thing to see if this helps her. She can be a bit tight behind and now hopefully we can keep her more comfortable. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for me) he does not live in the area. He drove down from Saratoga just to look at a few of Tim's horses. I could have asked him questions all night although I'm sure my brain could not have retained all of the information.
I stopped by the barn this morning to visit the horses. Michelle had just returned from the track on Gator Nation. He put in a huge leap on the way home and then just put his head down and walked the rest of the way like a gentleman. Tim was getting off of Whip Smart. What a nice ride. She is a gem. We are so excited because Grandma is shipping back up to us today after a short lay up at Equivine. She is the big grey filly by Smoke Glacken. What a character she is. I know Meghan will be excited to see her, uncle Tim hasn't told her yet that she's coming in. Also shipping in with Grandma is Real Lace's little sister. I have not seen her yet but carrot man George says that she is absolutely gorgeous. Mass Romantic was tacked up waiting to go out . What an exciting morning at Double Trouble. I will update you some more when Tim calls me!
Update 2311: Another gorgeous morning this morning at Penn National. This weather is in marked contrast to the steamy weather we suffered last week for sure! Today I had nine to ride, seven at the track and two at the farm. The track opens at 6 am, there is a large round pen close to the track which allows you to ride a jogger before the track opens. This is beginning to become my routine, one or two in the pen before training on the track. The morning at the track went without incident. One of the horses I rode pulled pretty hard for the mile and a half gallop, but the trainer (Tim) warned me so I was riding good and short. Other than that the horses were straightforward. The two on the farm were also good. They are just learning their job but are progressing quite well. All in all, a nice morning's work.
Update 2310: The Travers, traditionally the major 3yo race outside of the Triple Crown series, looks like it is being run without some of the major three year olds. Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun and Curlin are all missing, which will likely make Street Sense the prohibitive favorite: Field Shapes up for Aug. 25 Travers.
The Pacific Classic, run at Del Mar this weekend, is Lava Man's next objective, and may include the 3yo Tiago: Tiago's Pacific status remains undecided
Good morning everyone-
Please keep up the calling and faxing
and join your state groups....
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Welcoming committed individuals
to help save horses with the NC calling group...
an hour a week is all it takes,
and we make it fun and easy...
come on Tarheels, I know you're out there!
antislaughterlobby@earthlink.net
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Posted by: Christian at August 14, 2007 11:12 AM