Barbaro Updates: 495
updates are now here.
Update 3019: Off back to Sam Houston Race Park for the evening's racing.
Update 3018: Update on the situation at Santa Anita: 'Anita Cancels Jan. 27-28 Programs.
Update 3017: As usual on a Sunday morning, we had a lot of horses working and a lot of Jockeys helping. For me this meant a lighter day, with only seven to ride. I did "two minute clip" one horse a half a mile, much as I did last Sunday, although a different horse. All the horses I rode went without much incident, which is always a good thing. As I was waiting behind the gate to stand one of my horses, we had a set of five breaking from the gate and working 5/8ths. It was almost like a mini race. I also watched another horse breaking out of the gate as I was jogging towards the gate, and the horse turned a sharp left. It turns out it was the same horse that did the same thing a couple of weeks ago, although this time the jockey stayed on (it was not our horse).
Got a call from a buddy of mine at Hollywood Park, he said the track there is atrocious after all the rain they have had. There are also plans afoot to redo the Santa Anita surface. Seems the horsemen are not to happy at this point. OK, now waiting for my HRTV interview, which should be in about 30 minutes ...
Update 3016: A very pleasant evening Saturday evening spent at Sam Houston Race Park. I was there with a few FOBs and we had a pretty decent race card to watch, including two Stakes. The first Stakes was for fillies and mares, going long. It was won in impressive style by the Larry Jones trained Buy The Barrel. She was simply much the best and cruised to an easy win. The feature race of the night was the Maxxum Gold Cup going a mile and an eighth. Goosey Moose and Honest Man led the short field going head and head down the backside. Reporting for Duty and Red Rock Creek were far behind. Coming around the final turn the short field tightened up and Reporting for Duty simply blew by everybody. Red Rock Creek also ran on nicely to finish a game second. A nice exacta for our barn! Here are the full result for the night (chart).
I also received a gift from the FOBs along with a card. A very nice evening for sure.
Update 3015: An excellent article, by Dan Gelston, exploring Barbaro's Legacy: Barbaro's legacy stretches far beyond Kentucky Derby victory.
Update 3014: Santa Anita is racing today, as part of the Sunshine Millions with Gulfstream Park: Sunshine Millions On at Santa Anita.
Update 3013: No rain this morning! Must be the first time in a while I think. That being said, the track was a mess, no other way to describe it. Hopefully it will continue to dry out this afternoon and we can have a decent track for the races tonight, which include a couple of Stakes races.
We had nine sets this morning, and I think I galloped fifteen miles. All my horses went nicely despite the track conditions, and the morning went without incident. During the break we watched races from Doncaster and Navan (TVG) and its fun hearing the comments of those not familiar with our racing back home when we watch thirty horses lining up for a race. I also watched a couple of goats butting heads in one of the barns we have horses. I think they are good friends, and I am not sure what the dispute was. It was over quickly. Anyway, all in all a pleasant morning, which was a good thing as I was very tired coming into work.
Update 3012: Kieren Fallon, who was recently acquited of charges of conspiracy to defraud, has been suspended for eighteen months on drug charges. He is appealing: Jockey Fallon banned for 18 months after cocaine positive.
Bluegrass Cat, second behind Barbaro in the 2006 Kentucky Derby, has had his first foal: Bluegrass Cat's First Foal.
#####1-26-08 Fundraising effort for Kentucky Equine Humane Center:
This is a fund raising effort so that there can be an FOB sponsored class in the First Annual All Breeds horse show. The horse show is a fundraising event for the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC).
We need $250.00 total to sponsor one class. This will be a great way to support a great rescue organization as well as get the FOB's name in the public domain. If more than $250.00 is raised, it will go to the sponsorship of a second class or will be given directly to KyEHC.
If you are interested in supporting this effort please send me a check (as I don't have any electronic means of accepting donations). You may e-mail me (jbryan@bhsi.com) privately with your pledge and I will send you the mailing information. I will maintain a list of contributors and post updates once a week. The deadline for donations will be March 1, 2008.
The link to KyEHC Wiki page is: http://alexbrownracing.com/wiki/index.php/Kentucky_Equine_Humane_Center
The link to my Alex Brown Users page is: (ukcupcake) http://alexbrownracing.com/wiki/index.php/Ukcupcake
Posted by: Jennie (Kentucky at January 26, 2008 1:12 PM