Barbaro Updates: 650
updates are now here.
Update 3852: Superfecta here, with your regular weekly update.
Mark your calendars for August 30th - Curlin will be heading back to dirt for the Woodward although owner Jess Jackson indicated that turf is still an option down the line:
"The Arc is probably out for this year," Jackson said. "We think he can be a turf champion but I'm not sure he has enough time this year to make the adjustment," Jackson said. "The flexibility of his racing style and the tactics he'd have to use (on the turf) vary so you'd have to train him for that."As much as I would like to see Curlin in a race like the Arc, I agree that he would need a serious turf foundation for it; most horses aiming for it have had carefully planned campaigns with that in mind and it does seem that more than one or two starts on turf would be enough to get there (at least if being competitive were the goal).
In other news, 28-year-old Breeders' Cup Distaff champion and Eclipse Award winner Princess Rooney has been diagnosed with EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis), a neurological disease spread by parasites which can be serious at any point, but is certainly very much a concern for a mare of her advanced age. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
Returning to Curlin, it seems that although it's unlikely we will see him race at five, it's not entirely off the table, according to details from the Paulick Report:
Jackson also called for a "league" or series of races for older horses that he said, if accomplished by 2009, could convince him to keep Curlin in training and forego his stud career for another year. "That's a concept that's attractive," he said, "but the devil is in the details. It's very preliminary."While obviously just an idea now, such a suggestion is another hopeful sign that the sport is beginning to head in the right direction; coupled with the announcement that the Breeders' Cup is banning steroids beginning with next year's event, there are some encouraging moves to note. Keep 'em coming.
Update 3851: Horse of the Year Curlin's next start will be back on the dirt at Saratoga:Curlin making next start in Woodward.
More details here: CURLIN: WOODWARD NEXT STOP.
Update 3850: A quick update on Nicanor: Update on Nicanor's Activities.
Update 3849: An easy morning this morning at Woodbine, with only six sets for me. Four before the break and two after the break. All galloped easily for a trouble-free morning. We did have a few workers, and Jimmy (McAleney) came in to help out. All seemed to work well.
Update 3848: The Hall of Fame ceremonies were yesterday. Dr. Richardson was the keynote speaker: Hall of Fame: It's All About the Horse.
The sales at Saratoga got underway last night: Mr. Greeleys set early pace at the Spa.
Please keep calling and writing both DC and your local offices.
For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.
Good morning everyone.
Good morning Barbaro.
Posted by: Paul at August 5, 2008 11:16 AM