Barbaro Updates: 575
updates are now here.
Update 3422: Michael Blowen, at Old Friends received this e-mail and contribution:
Hello. My name is XXXX, and I am 11 years old, and I won money off of Eight Bells at a Derby party yesterday. I feel so bad about what happened to her that I can not enjoy my money that I won. So, I am going to donate my winnings to your organazation and so is my mom. I found out about you on the internet last night. Your farm sounds like a very nice place. I am asking everyone that I know if they also won money off of Eight Bells, and if they would like to dotate their money as well. Some people that I am asking are donating money just to be nice. So I just wanted to let you know that as soon as I collect the money, my mom will send you a check. From, XXXX
Michael also informed me they have just taken in a barren broodmare, Richard's Lass. She won the Geisha and the Pimlico Oaks.
Update 3421: Dr. Richardson will be on the following shows discussing the Derby:
CBS Evening news tonight at 6:08pm
CBS Early Show tomorrow morning
CNN tomorrow morning b/t 6:00am - 9:00am
Fox News - 9:15am tomorrow morning
Update 3420: Big Brown appears in good order after the Derby: Dutrow After Derby: 'The Horse is Good'
. He may be facing an entirely new cast of characters in the Preakness: The Morning After: Big Brown Scare Off.
Off back to the races at Woodbine.
Update 3419: A little chaotic this morning. We were a couple of people short which creates a little havoc with the schedule. I think I ended up riding six. They went nicely. I hotwalked a couple and did other various odd jobs. With people short you just have to pitch in. A few people noted they saw the horse slaughter article in the Toronto Star, and now know a little more about me! Good conversations. Of course Eight Belles was also discussed. Andy Durnin texted me from Churchill. He said Larry Jones was fielding lots of questions from reporters just outside of her stall. Just very sad.
Update 3418: Eight Belles.
Update 3417: My initial reaction to Eight Belles' tragedy: Was the Track Too Fast?
Update 3416: Eight Belles ran her life out. Big Brown won (very impressively).
Update 3415: Some better news for Chelokee: Chelokee Update: No Fracture, excerpt:
"It was just a dislocated ankle that was put back in order," Matz said May 3, on the morning of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Matz will saddle Visionaire in the Derby. "The skin was not broken which is a good thing, and there was heat below the articulation, which means there is blood flow. The ankle will probably have to be fused. He had a good night. He ate and laid down and got up several times."
Off back to Woodbine to help Jen with a handicapping seminar (remember my picks). Then to help out with our paddock schoolers.
Update 3414: A little lighter this morning with only six to ride at Woodbine. Five before the break and one following the break. All the horses seemed to train well and are doing well here at Woodbine. During the break I pulled the mane of one of our horses who is running this afternoon. Queen of Dreams, a first time starter. She stood there very relaxed. It was not until I had nearly finished did I realize she was not even tied up! I finished up the morning getting bridles ready for our paddock schoolers, we have five to school today as well as two runners, and then walking the pony who is temporarily housed in another barn. A nice pleasant morning, but we will be busy this afternoon!
My latest entry on the Rail which offers some insight into what the Derby contenders will be doing today before the race: Getting a Horse Ready on Derby Day.
Update 3413: Today is Derby day, here are my picks and analysis: Alex Brown's (Slightly Biased) Picks.
This is what the Derby horses did yesterday: Daily Derby Notes: May 2.
A great article on the issue of Horse Slaughter (Cover story Toronto Star): Battle to save horses from slaughterhouse, excerpt:
Zito's wife Kim will greet Little Cliff at their farm in Kentucky soon after the Derby. The horse has been in quarantine since being saved from the slaughterhouse.
"Nick and I were sick when we heard the story," Kim Zito said. "When we got over the initial shock of it, our sadness turned to anger. There are still some people in this game that don't care.
"The horse should be treated with dignity and respect. They fight with heart and soul so that we can become, rich, famous, successful and, hopefully, get that picture in the winner's circle.
"We need to have a little compassion and say, 'Thank you.' "
for the highest good..
she said..
..for chelokee and michael matz
..for all trainers who saw it happen
and quielty returned to their barns
to look
and re-check and re configure--did they miss anything?
eying their prized ones
..dreams awaiting
.tomorrow
.where
does the rain fall but also
deep into the ground
pools of mud and sand
mix in with the ants
and twigs of little nests
melt eventually into fissured rock
somewhere there will be moss
and tendrils followed by fresh roots
holding hands underneath
.these earthen mounds
way above
there is thundering hooves..
meet this all with love
she said--
meet it all with love
.the lessons tumble out faster then i can wipe the tears away
and then have to laugh about the plans cast now aside tonight
because it is here again
..that pain and doubt of faith
but
why
him?
with the feverish updates
and looking for facts about broken front legs ankles .
.thin legs
it has been another tumultuous day in our world
beginning with a sweep of images evoking Barbaro
.trembling flashes of what was
even the blue blanket .
.elegant heavy cotton
drapped over muscles just about formed
in a complete choreographed atunement of power and heart .
we see
it is to come ---
Nicanor
first dazed and then
a dozen frames later,
sad and bewildered eyes
looking into his lens-from his pristine new stall no
humid heat
very bright,
no
here for him is .cool canadian air
filled with maryland farm scents
different sounds
maybe a bit homesick
for his friends and groom
i re learned today
then from his soulful curious so
intelligent eyes
as if i was invading a very sacred and private place..
that i might just be a tad selfish
to want to know his every move
top to bottom -maybe a t premature
he looks so much like the full brother of Barbaro
how can it be ..so long ago and yet so now
but also i feel his deep innocence
and i want to protect him from ANY eyes
that do not have his best interest at heart
and who would best know that
but his trainer and his owners?
the divine above?
to return their gift of Barbaro to us
we can weave a large circle of light and surround him
with the love--un conditional
that sets those boundaries
of spirit and respect
for his growth to flow
un- interrupted
by the flash of celebrity
that disease our country eats and sleeps in
of time--that is timeless free to learn and roam
animals have taught me since childhood
to respect their energetic boundaries
..respect their right to grow and become
on their own time
not of mine or anyone else's
just 24 hours ago the jacksons made their ultimate
gift and sacrifice
to share their beloved barbaro with the world.
.to commit his ashes to the very public holy grail of american racing
churhill downs
and they deserve the respect and privacy to live their lives in peace
that nicanor and lentenor
..may grow in their own time
protected and given the space
to become who they may become.
amidst the near tragedy today tht is what i re learned
no greed but to say\
thank you thank you
for all you have given me
.they deserve the safe and sacred space
to learn and be who they will be
the accident of chelokee
..that this is one message i get
from this near tragedy
..they both riding to the hospital in the ambulance together
can you imagone to re lvoe this?
..trembling in the dark
whispering no words but sweat on the brow and hidden tears
..the strain on michael
and the need to support and be a presence for healing
for them .
.we all have that in us..
count me in
this large circle
has held such joy and such terrible sorrow
tonight i hold them
them
so dear
and let me
be the first to let go
of any expectations
not to add to his or theirs
of nicanor;s or lentenor;s burdons
in any shape or way
now
protect them SO
grace and great heart can grow .
the life they deserve
to flourish .
from time to time
it will be wonderful
to see their progress
i will be there
when they come to the gates
may no shadows be cast on the rigor of their lives already so full
tonight that is what i feel
in the hanky that i hold close
soaked with my own tears
of regret for the pain held today
amidst the joys too
cast not any shadow on that golden path
they so richly deserve
that would be then my reward
in this frenetic energy
accidents will grow and happen
and as chelokee sleeps in his hospital stall
may michael and he
..feel our love and prayers
that visionaire
not feel
michael;s deep distress either
may he follow our love
to his own destiny -
may all horses return to the finnish line
safe tomorrow
. for that i pray
with all my heart
we all have lived through dark times
and now again we meet
we are called to do the best our hearts can offer
step it up
no matter what/
count me in
the hay--its deep woodsy scent of suns past
,the soft and very silent breathing
of new flowering trees
and the rich green carpet of kentucky grass
..let them sing
let them sing..
martita
Posted by: martita goshen at May 3, 2008 10:26 AM