Barbaro Updates: 1005

Posted August 23, 2010

updates are now here.

Update 6143: A nice Sunday off, which is great because it is also raining, which we need.

It was a fun day at the races at Delaware Park yesterday. Lovely weather and a decent crowd to celebrate owners day. I took some pictures.

Derby winner Super Saver’s poor recent form has now been explained: Injury Shelves Super Saver.

Update 6142: Four ridden again on Saturday morning at Fair Hill. And another gorgeous day for riding horses. All mine went nicely.

The racing seasons are in transition as we get ready for the fall meets. Here are the key races this weekend, which includes a race from Delaware Park. I think I will go over for the afternoon’s sports: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Update 6141: Four ridden again this morning at Fair Hill. A little chilly to start out, but a gorgeous morning for riding horses. All my four went nicely. After I was finished I went over to a farm and rode a couple of show jumpers. Of course I did not jump them, just some ground schooling. They went nicely too! A fun morning for riding horses.

And please keep calling.

Update 6140: Another four ridden this morning at Fair Hill. It really did feel like fall out there with a bit of a chilly start to the day. All my four went nicely for a very easy start to the day.

And please keep calling.

Update 6139: Four ridden this morning at Fair Hill. I am starting to wind down my riding as I get closer to finishing my book. I need to focus to get it done I guess! All four of my horses went nicely for a straightfoward start to the day.

Here is this week’s ABR Facebook Group message, which I forgot to post yesterday: Quality Road, Mine That Bird, Boys of Toscanova, Charles Town fire, 5,000 Fans, Judge Beautiful.

And please keep calling.

Update 6138: Another five ridden this morning at Fair Hill. A beautiful morning for riding horses, although it looks like it is going to warm up into a pretty hot day!

Boys At Tosconova won the feature race, The Hopeful Stakes, on the closing day of the Saratoga meet: Boys At Tosconova cruises to Hopeful score.

And please keep calling.

Update 6137: Five ridden this labor day morning at Fair Hill. The horses were a little “lively” due to the cooler weather, and it being a Monday morning! Fortunately we survived, and now to enjoy the holiday!

Sad to report a barn fire early this morning: Horses Killed in Stable Fire Near Charles Town Races.

Update 6136: Another five ridden this morning for a straightforward start to the day, with perfect weather for training horses. Just perfect!

After I was finished I met with the Jacksons and went through each of the pictures I plan to use for the book. They seemed pretty happy with the progress of the book, obviously their support has been a tremendous help! Mrs. Jackson may write an “Afterwards” for the book, to reflect on the entire experience.

And there is plenty of decent racing this holiday weekend to close out the “summer season”: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Update 6135: Five ridden this morning at Fair Hill. It was a little cooler for riding horses today, I am guessing the cooler weather is a result of “Earl.” All my horses went nicely for a straightfoward start to the day.

And please keep calling.

Update 6134: Six ridden this morning at Fair Hill, and another hot morning for riding horses. Fortunately all mine went nicely for a straightforward start to the day.

As the Saratoga meet begins to wind down, one of its stars is running today, the undefeated Lisa’s Booby Trap: REES: MOST UNLIKELY STAR OF SARTOGA IS A HALF-BLIND, CLUB-FOOTED FILLY WITH A RACY NAME.

And please keep calling.

Update 6133: Seven ridden this morning at Fair Hill. Seems I am getting on more horses just as the weather has turned warmer again! The key is to drink plenty of water between each ride. All my horses went nicely, including one who galloped out of the gate.

Yesterday I interviewed equine artist Christine Picavet, who not only galloped Exceller for a period of time, but also got to paint Ferdinand. The interview was to discuss the horse slaughter issue for my book.

And please keep calling.

Update 6132: Six ridden this morning at Fair Hill, and it was another hot morning. I had one to breeze 3/8ths, and I was on the losing end of that breeze. Another horse of mine nearly dropped me coming home, so the morning was more eventful than I would have liked!

Here is this week’s ABR Facebook message: Rachel Alexandra, Calvin Borel, Super Saver, Richard`s Kid, Jockey Club Roundtable, Bute, Wake at Noon, Bruno Schickedanz, River Hills Foxhounds, Excess Baggage, bute.

And please keep calling.

Update 6131: I had eight to ride this morning at Fair Hill. I was not expecting that, and it has been a long time since I have ridden so many! Combine that with the heat we are getting, and I am now pretty knackered. Fortunately all my horses went nicely, so a long but straightforward start to the day.

Rachel Alexandra finished second yesterday in her first Grade 1 event of the year, and her first try at a mile and a quarter: Persistently denies Rachel in Personal Ensign. Personally I think Calvin Borel gave her a terrible ride, and I said so here: Very disappointed with the ride Rachel Alexandra got today, from the beginning (looping reins, no attempt to rate) to the end … whack, thwack, whack, and whack some more..

And please keep calling.

Update 6130: A day off today from Fair Hill. A nice relaxing day.

The marquee race at Saratoga, The Travers Stakes, turned out to be a thrilling race with a very tight finish. Afleet Express just got the better of Fly Down. Afleet Express did not race in any of the Triple Crown races, and actually had a bit of an unorthodox path to the Travers Stakes having already competed against older horses. Derby winner Super Saver was a disappointment: Afleet Express nips Fly Down in Travers.

The marquee race at Del Mar, the Pacific Classic, went to Richard’s Kid for the second year: Richard’s Kid scores repeat win in Pacific Classic.

Today’s racing will be highlighted by Rachel Alexandra, as she takes on a short field but a formidable foe in Life at Ten, and tries the classic distance of a mile and a quarter for the first time: Rachel Alexandra faces distance test at Saratoga.

Update 6129: Another four ridden this morning at Fair Hill. And another gorgeous morning although it was a little chilly at the start! All my horses went nicely.

Yesterday evening I went foxhunting, for the first time in many, many years. Here I am, posing for a picture! It was simply a gorgeous evening for riding horses around the countryside, and listening to the hounds speak. I even had a go at blowing the horn, but failed miserably!

Some decent racing this weekend which includes the Travers Stakes today at Saratoga (which is sadly missing Lookin at Lucky), the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and the Personal Ensign tomorrow at Saratoga, which will provide a stern test for Rachel Alexandra: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Update 6128: Four ridden again this morning at Fair Hill. Another gorgeous morning for riding horses. All my horses went nicely.

The Jockey Club recently hosted a roundtable at Saratoga. The following transcript, regarding medications, is very interesting: Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

Wake at Noon’s owner is still barred from Woodbine, for the time being: No relief for horse owner Bruno Schickedanz.

And please keep calling.

Update 6127: Four ridden this morning at Fair Hill. It was a gorgeous morning for riding horses. All my horses went nicely for a very pleasant start to the day.

Saturday’s Travers Stakes at Saratoga is usually the race that all the leading 3yos target, before they then take on older horses towards the end of the year. Sadly this year’s event misses Lookin at Lucky, who is the current leader of the 3yo division. Kentucky Derby winner, Super Saver, is scheduled to run, and we shall see if this race can get him back on track as leader of the division: A Little Warm Lukewarm Travers Favorite.

And please keep calling.

Update 6126: Four ridden again this morning at Fair Hill. A very quiet and straightforward start to the day. All my horses went nicely.

Yesterday Lentenor returned to the races at Delaware Park. It was his first race since finishing fourth in the Florida Derby. He was kept close to the pace, which was a strong pace, and just did not seem to have the final kick needed to move away and win the race. He finished a close-up third after some traffic issues in the stretch: Lentenor Third in Return at Delaware.

Today it is Nicanor’s turn to race, running in the 8th race at Delaware Park.

And please keep calling.

Update 6125: Four ridden this morning at Fair Hill. One of mine was to breeze 5/8ths of a mile, which is a long way for me. She went nicely, I got tired! All my others went well for a short and straightforward start to the day. Is it fall already ? Fall weather this morning!

This week’s ABR Facebook Group message: Debussy, Gio Ponti, Devil May Care, Blind Luck, Ernie Paragallo, Chad Moore, Bruno Schickendanz, Hounds Speaking, Laminitis, Dr. James Orsini.

And please keep calling.

Update 6124: Five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. There were a few loose horses out there on the track, so it was a typical Monday morning at work. Thankfully for me, all my horses went nicely for a straightforward start to the day. Once we were done, our stable pony, Freckles, gave a quick riding lesson.

And please keep calling.

Posted by Alex at 2:38 PM | Comments (468)

Barbaro Updates: 1004

Posted August 2, 2010

updates are now here.

Update 6123: Four ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. The main track was closed so everything went to the Tapeta track. Fortunately it was pretty quiet out there. All my horses went nicely for a straightforward start to the day.

European invader Debussy ran up the rail to upset Gio Ponti, who looked home free in the Arlington Million: Debussy upsets Gio Ponti to win Arlington Million.

Blind Luck won the Alabama to go to the top of the 3yo filly division. Devil May Care ran a very disappointing race to finish fourth: Blind Luck seizes control of division in Alabama.

Update 6122: Five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. A very straightforward morning’s work with very pleasant weather for training, for August! All mine went nicely, including one who breezed a little bit down the lane.

Yesterday I went over to New Bolton Center in order to interview Dr. James Orsini who heads up the Laminitis Institute at Penn Vet. It was a very interesting meeting, which actually gave me hope that there is now momentum in place to really find a cure for laminitis. We shall see. Here is a rough explanation of the different stages of laminitis. I also met with Dr. Liberty Getman, who was part of the initial surgery team for Barbaro.

Arlington Park hosts it’s biggest day of racing for the year with three Grade 1 stakes including the Arlington Million where Gio Ponti will look to repeat. Devil May Care will have Blind Luck to contend with in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Update 6121: Six ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It was a gorgeous morning for riding horses too! All mine went nicely, including one who breezed 3/8ths on the Tapeta track.

Fox Hunting is starting up around the area. They do not kill the foxes here, and I am starting to learn more about hunting, a sport I pursued when I was very young. Here is a short clip from one of the local hunts this morning, hear the hounds “speak”.

And please keep calling.

Update 6120: Another five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It was a gorgeous morning for riding horses. All five of mine went nicely.

And please keep calling.

Update 6119: Five ridden again this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. All five went nicely for a very strightforward start to the day.

Wake at Noon’s owner is appealing the decision to ban him from Woodbine after the fatal breakdown of the Canadian champion while in training: Schickedanz defends horse’s return to track.

Theron, one of our exercise riders at Pinos, read all but the final chapter of part 1 of my Barbaro book. He was pretty enthusiastic in his feedback, and said he also learned some things he was not aware of … for example, that Michael Matz asked Peter Brette if he wanted to ride Barbaro in his first race. Cool feedback. I have added the Facebook fan page to the navigation of this site. If you are on Facebook, it would be great if you joined the page as I complete the writing process.

And please keep calling.

Update 6118: Five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It was another warm morning for riding horses. All mine went nice and quietly, mostly!

Here is this week’s ABR Facebook Group message: Telling, Steve Hobby, Goldikova, Makfi, Overdose, Miami Deco, Brian Lynch, Richard Dos Ramos, Russell Baze, Lost in the Fog, Doug O’Neill, Book, pulling manes.

And please keep calling.

Update 6117: Six ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It was a muggy and warm morning. For a Monday my horses went nicely, although it is always a little trickier after many horses have Sunday off.

Performance of the weekend may go to Overdose, the Budapest Bullet: Overdose delights home crowd with easy win.

And please keep calling.

Update 6116: A day off today at Fair Hill.

Telling won the only Grade 1 event in North America this weekend, the Sword Dancer. Like last year he was a longshot, but managed to repeat that performance: Telling powers to repeat Sword Dancer victory.

Russell Baze eclipsed another amazing milestone this weekend: Baze adds to all-time wins record with 11,000th victory.

Goldikova found one better than her today in her attempt to win her 11th Group 1 race: MAKFI BOUNCES BACK AT DEAUVILLE.

Update 6115: Another five ridden this Saturday morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. And it was a gorgeous morning for riding horses. All mine went nicely for a very pleasant start to the day. I am now off to a horse show!

Marquee racing this weekend in the US is a little lighter, the main event being the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Tomorrow, in Europe, we have two superstars running, Goldikova and Overdose.

Update 6114: Five ridden this morning for Michael Pino. It was a little cooler, thanks to all the rain we got yesterday. It also made the main track sloppy so most of our horses went to the Tapeta track. All five of mine went nicely. One filly breezed a half mile, and she did it very well. A very good start to the day. Sharon Gunther, the tattoo lady and x Delaware Park jockey, was in our barn this morning putting a couple of lip tattoos on a couple of our 2yos!

Today are the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Saratoga.

Yesterday I was going through my gmail account looking for Barbaro pictures from 2006. I found them, I now have about 120 pictures for the book! I also received another cool review for Part 1 of the book yesterday.

And please keep calling.

Update 6113: Five ridden again this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It started off warm again, but clouds were ominous, the rain came and along with the change in weather some thunder! We got wet. All my horses went nicely although one of them was a little fractious coming home. I survived!

I am asking a big favor, I need to get votes for a presentation I want to give at SXSW next year. Details are here.

And please keep calling.

Update 6112: Another five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. And it was another humid and hot morning for riding horses. Thankfully all mine went nicely for a straightforward start to the day.

Yesterday we learned the sad news of the death of Odysseus, to complications of laminitis: Odysseus, 2010 TC Contender, Dies. Odysseus won this year’s Tampa Bay Derby defeating Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. We have struggled to understand laminitis since the times of Aristotle, when it was known as Barley’s disease.

And please keep calling.

Update 6111: Five ridden again this morning for Michael Pino. It was a warm and muggy morning here at Fair Hill too. All my horses went nicely for a straightforward start to the day.

Here is this week’s ABR Facebook Group message: Zenyatta, Quality Road, Blame, Velazquez, Judge Beautiful, laminitis, Aristotle, Secretariat, Sunday Silence, Bayakoa, Singspeil and Sunline.

And please keep calling.

Update 6110: Five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. A very straightforward start to the day.

For whatever reasons I have been having problems with my person Facebook page. I have now started a new one. Add me!

And please keep calling.

Update 6109: A day off today, a nice quiet morning to just relax.

Yesterday afternoon I went over to Delaware Park to enjoy a little racing. I stayed to watch the Whitney from Saratoga. Of course I had assumed, like many others, that Quality Road would win. I think his jockey thought the same and looked like he was getting dizzy looking around all the time. Anyway, he was headed on the wire by Blame who now looks like the leader of the male older horse division: Blame collars Quality Road to win Whitney.

The highlight of racing was last night though, with Zenyatta putting her unbeaten streak on the line at Del Mar. And she did not disappoint with her patented powerful and wide move around the turn to win yet another race by the slimmest of margins: Zenyatta remains unbeaten with Hirsch victory.

Update 6108: Five ridden again this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. And the weather was much more pleasant this morning for riding. All my horses went nicely. Here is a photo of me working a horse, a week or two ago, with x jockey Ronnie Franklyn.

The top two older horses are scheduled to race today. Zenyatta will be looking to make it an undefeated 18 wins in a race she has won the last two years, and Quality Road will make his case for Horse of the Year at Saratoga: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Update 6107: Another five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. All went nice and quietly for a very straightforward start to the day. I thought this was a very nice story: Saving Global Hunter.

And please keep calling.

Update 6106: Five ridden again this morning at Fair Hill for Michael Pino. But this morning was not a straightforward morning. I was coming off the track on my second horse, and across the PA system came the word: “loose horse on the Tapeta.” That was soon followed by: “two loose horses on the Tapeta.” Needless to say something happened. As I was coming out of the barn on my third horse, who was scheduled to breeze on the Tapeta track, the Tapeta track was being closed. One of the riders involved in the accident was still down, and hurt. After a while I returned to the barn, and got on a different horse to go to the dirt track instead. An ambulance arrived, and then left with the rider. I am told he has a broken arm, and was essentially run over by one of the loose horses. A tough morning, and a reminder that things can sometimes get a little dangerous out there! I then got back on my horse that was scheduled to breeze on the Tapeta, once the Tapeta track reopened. She breezed well.

And please keep calling.

Update 6105: Five ridden again this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. All went nicely. It was a muggy start to the day, and it’s likely to only get hotter!

For a chapter on laminitis for my book, I am looking to compile a list of “famous” horses who suffered from laminitis, here is the current list. Please add to this list if you know of any more.

And please keep calling.

Update 6104: Another five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. All went nicely for a straightforward start to the day.

Here is this week’s ABR Facebook Group message: A Little Warm, Lookin At Lucky, Super Saver, Goldikova, David Carroll, Book, Riding Camp.

And please keep calling.

Update 6103: Five ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. A little cooler and a little damp, but a pleasant morning for riding horses. All mine went nicely.

More feedback for Part 1 of Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy.

Yesterday was memorable for two performances, one this side of the Atlantic (Lookin At Lucky stakes claim as best of division) and one the other side of the Atlantic (GOLDIKOVA STRIKES AGAIN).

And please keep calling.

Posted by Alex at 2:15 PM | Comments (201)