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Barbaro
by Yankee Clipper
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Barbaro underwent surgery on Saturday to insert two steel pins in his right hind leg in what his surgeon called the “only hope” of keeping the colt “acceptably comfortable” as he fights to recover from a broken right hind leg and severe laminitis in his left hind leg.
hello every one. i am an avid horse lover. in fact it is a passion. i own appaloosas and daughter rides college rodeo. i owned a mare that was the dead ringer for secretariate. had to put her down due to arthritis. broke my heart. have the danbury thoughbred collection of plates except for seabiscuit" it was broken". love talking to any one who just loves the out of doors, animals and simple living.
Maryland Jockey Club Cancels Pimlico Special
Jan 25, 12:15 PM (ET)
BALTIMORE (AP) -The Maryland Jockey Club canceled the Pimlico Special, the most prestigious race in the state after the Preakness Stakes, because of limited purse monies on Thursday.
Pimlico Special Will Not Be Carded In 2007
BALTIMORE, 01-25-07---Officials at the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) announced today that they have been forced to cancel the 2007 running of the legendary Grade I Pimlico Special.
Invasor, the Breeders' Cup Classic winner, led a strong showing for the ruling family of Dubai at the 36th annual Eclipse Awards dinner Monday night by being named the 2006 Horse of the Year and champion older horse.
This sunday Jan. 21, 2007 the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes (7th race) will be run at the Santa Anita track, in Arcadia, Calif. This race is for 4yr olds and up for a one and a quarter miles on turf.
Isn't Barbaro like related to Man O' War? I've been doing a project about Barbaro and was wondering how he was related to Man O' War. If he is would would please let me know and if you can give me the pedigree for 8 or 9 generations on Barbaro.
Thanks,
B
On his Sire's side (Dynaformer)
Man O' War shows up in the pedigree of Roberto (Barbaro's "grandfather") about 7 generations back.
On his Dam's side (La Ville Rouge)
Man O' War shows up in the pedigree of Carson City (Barbaro's other "grandfather") about 8 generations back.
He also shows up in the pedigree of La Reine Rouge (his "grandmother") about 9 generations back.
If anyone is interested, I used www.pedigreequery.com for the search, you can do free pedigree searches for up to 5 generations. So for what I did, it took a bit of time.
But from what I could find, Man O' War shows up 3 times in Barbaro's pedigree. If any of you decide to go to pedigreequery.com to do a search on his pedigree, you'll also see has has a few of "who's who" in his pedigree as well. Like Mr. Prospector and Mumtaz Mahal, just to name a few.
Article: Barbaro Has More of His Left Hoof Removed
by
Barbaro Has More of His Left Hoof Removed
Jan 13, 4:03 PM (ET)
Article --> http://sports.iwon.com/news/01132007/v7226.html
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -Barbaro had another section of his laminitis-stricken left hind hoof removed Saturday, and a cast was placed back on his right hind leg for additional support.
The Kentucky Derby winner had a significant setback this week in his recovery from laminitis - a painful, often fatal disease - in his left hind foot. Chief surgeon Dean Richardson removed more of the hoof Saturday.
"The left hind deep digital flexor tendon was cut to help decrease the pull on the coffin bone by that tendon," Richardson said in an update issued by the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
"This was previously done in July, but the tendon had healed and was pulling on the coffin bone, contributing to the malalignment of the coffin bone."
Because Barbaro had become uncomfortable on his left hind hoof, Richardson put the cast back on the right hind lower limb for additional support. Barbaro has been rehabilitating at the center since shattering three bones in his right hind leg just a few strides into the Preakness on May 20.
After his injury in the Preakness, Barbaro developed severe laminitis, which is caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs. The result was that 80 percent of his left hind hoof was removed in mid-July.
Richardson removed damaged tissue from Barbaro's left hind hoof on Tuesday, calling it a "significant setback" after nearly seven months of promising recovery from laminitis.
When he came out of surgery, Barbaro was lifted by sling and placed on a raft in a pool so he could calmly awake from the anesthetic.
Secretariat still holds the fastest ½ mile, ¾ mile, 1 mile, 1 ¼ miles and 1 ½ mile times in a Belmont Stakes Race. Sec holds the largest margin of victory 31 in the Belmont. He ran a 12+ seconds furlong for all 12 furlongs that day. Unbelievable! It is perhaps the single greatest performance in horse racing history. It is hard to find ANY fault in it. I consider myself lucky to have met Secretariat while he was racing and I met MOW when he was an old man like me lol. Only MOW in the 1920 Dwyer compares well to Secretariat’s Belmont. MOW ran faster for 6 fl(on a LOT slower track) than Sec and had to KEEP contesting the pace with J.P. Grier who unlike SHAM did not fold up after 6 fl. JP Grier kept coming at MOW for 1 mile and 100 yards. The longer the pace is contested the WORSE it is for the horses involved. MOW set a world record that day in the “RACE OF THE CENTURY”.
Man O War’s record of 2:14 1/5 for a mile and 3/8 was erased on July 9, 1966 when Winfreux, a four year old, was timed the distance in 2:13 4/5 at the Doomben track in Queensland, Australia. His time bettered the former mark by two-fifths of a second. So MOW`s record for 1 3/8 lasted 46 years not 71 years.
Sir Barton had set the world record for 1 3/8 miles in the 1919 Belmont Stakes in a time of 2:17 2/5. MOW the next year in the Belmont ran 1 3/8 in 2:14 1/5 shattering the old mark by more than 3 seconds. MOW is the only Belmont winner to sire as many as 3 other Belmont winners namely American Flag 1925, Crusader 1926 and War Admiral 1937. MOW had a phenomenal stud career.
Okay -- but please re-read my earlier comment. Regarding MOW's
1-3/8 mile record time in the Belmont Stakes, I did not claim MOW held a world record for 71 years.
What I had stated is:
"His running time on a dirt surface lasted as a track record for some 71 years."
What happened is that his track record set on the Belmont dirt track was bested in 1991 -- when a scheduled 1-3/8 mile race at Belmont Park was switched from grass to dirt.
Article: Breeders' Cup Expands to 11 Races, 2 Days
by
Breeders' Cup Expands to 11 Races, 2 Days
Jan 8, 9:07 AM (ET)
http://sports.iwon.com/news/01082007/v6043.html
NEW YORK (AP) -The Breeders' Cup got bigger and richer Monday, with thoroughbred racing's showcase event expanding to 11 races over two days in the largest addition to the competition since it began 24 years ago.
Three $1 million races and another day of racing were added to the program, beginning with this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Friday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 27. The 11 races, televised by ESPN, will now total $23 million in purses.
"Today's marketplace demands change, innovation and the willingness to take chances," Breeders' Cup president Greg Avioli said. "The Breeders' Cup board has embraced this and is giving us the freedom and responsibility to take the event to the next level."
The additional racing was approved by the Breeders' Cup board Friday and must be approved by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and state regulators.
This is the latest in a series of changes for the Breeders' Cup during the past 12 months - the increase of purses from $14 million to $20 million in 2006, new nomination rules and the formation of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, which this year will allow winners of 24 races at six tracks to gain automatic spots in the event.
The new races, to be run Oct. 26 are the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for 3-year-olds and up, the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for 3-year-olds and up and the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. There will be three other stakes races on the card, each with a $250,000 purse.
Breeders' Cup board chairman Bill Farish said the changes provide "the framework for unprecedented growth," aimed at attracting the world's best horses.
Total purses for the 10-race card on Breeders' Cup Friday will be $4 million, making it the second-richest racing day in North America.
The eight races on Breeders' Cup Saturday: $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile, $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint and $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Article: Barbaro, Invasor, Bernardini Among Eclipse Award Finalists
by
Barbaro, Invasor, Bernardini Among Eclipse Award Finalists
Jan 3, 11:04 AM (ET)
http://sports.iwon.com/news/01032007/v6727.html
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, Breeders' Cup Classic winner Invasor and Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini were among the Eclipse Award finalists announced Wednesday.
Three finalists in each of 15 categories were chosen, with Barbaro in contention for champion 3-year-old male after an accident in the Preakness ended his racing career. Invasor was bidding for older male, and Bernardini competed against Barbaro and Discreet Cat for 3-year-old male.
Finalists for Horse of the Year were not released. Winners will be announced Jan. 22 in Beverly Hills.
Argentine-bred Invasor upset Bernardini by a length in the $5 million BC Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4. Other finalists in the older male category are Lava Man and Premium Tap.
The awards are voted on by turf writers and racing secretaries at National Thoroughbred Racing Association tracks.
Russell Baze, who broke Laffit Pincay Jr.'s record with his 9,531st career victory in December, was a leading contender for the jockey award. Garrett Gomez and Edgar Prado were the other candidates.
Todd Pletcher, who topped his own North American single-season earnings record for trainers with $27.4 million last year, leads the Eclipse Award finalists for trainers. The others are New York-based Kiaran McLaughlin and Doug O'Neill, based in Southern California.
Pletcher is currently serving a 45-day suspension after one of his horses tested positive for a drug that isn't allowed within one week of racing.
The other finalists:
2-year-old male: Circular Quay, Nobiz Like Shobiz, Street Sense
2-year-old female: Dreaming of Anna, Octave, Point Ashley
3-year-old female: Bushfire, Pine Island, Wait a While
Sprinter: Discreet Cat, Henny Hughes, Thor's Echo
Older female: Asi Siempre, Fleet Indian, Round Pond
Male turf horse: English Channel, Miesques Approval, The Tin Man
Female turf horse: Gorella, Ouija Board, Wait a While
Steeplechase: McDynamo, Mixed Up, Sur La Tete
Apprentice jockey: Martin Garcia, Julien Leparoux, Rosie Napravnik
Article: Belmont Stakes Winner Jazil Returns Friday at Aqueduct
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Belmont Stakes Winner Jazil Returns Friday at Aqueduct
Jan 1, 5:46 PM (ET)
NEW YORK (AP) -Belmont Stakes winner Jazil will return to racing Friday at Aqueduct, his first race since winning the Belmont Stakes.
He drew the outside post in a field of eight in a $48,000 race at 1 1-16 miles. Regular rider Fernando Jara will be aboard.
The 4-year-old was sidelined with a bruised canon bone that prevented him from running in the Breeders' Cup Classic, won by stablemate Invasor, in November.
Jazil and Invasor were both in Florida until an outbreak of the highly contagious and, sometimes fatal, equine herpes virus in that state prompted trainer Kiaran McLaughlin to return both horses to New York on Christmas Eve.
Jazil had his final workout Saturday at Belmont Park, going four furlongs in 48.60 seconds.
"We wanted to get him started," McLaughlin said. "He's doing very well but I don't know if he has to win first time back. If he runs well, we'll be happy."
I just had a look at Secretariat's Kentucky Derby win on You Tube and it reminded me very much of Phar Lap's win at Agua Caliente in what turned out to be his last race. Like Phar Lap, Secretariat dropped out to last early and then circled the field to get the lead and go on to score convincingly.
I also viewed Sec's Belmont win where he led, and led, and led, and won by 30 lengths, Fair Dinkum if that doesn't make your jaw drop to the ground then nothing will.
These 2 races show how versatile Secretariat was, it's often said that champions can win races no matter how they are ridden and he certainly proved that.
Those who were on course to see that Belmont Stakes were privileged to say the least.
I doubt we'll ever see another win to match that one.
Best horse that ever lived in my opinion he actually won the Belmont by 31 and in a time of 2:24 a time that should NEVER be beaten!!
Phar Lap was a magnificent creator, I loved his movie its a great one, both Chestnuts had incredibly large hearts and racing ability. How many Melbourne Cups did he win 2? And under large amounts of weight if I'm correct?
Keep in mind that, if Secretariat's 1-1/2 mile time on a dirt track remains not broken for a very long time, it will be because virtually no tracks in the U.S. sponsor races at that distance. Yes, the Belmont Stakes is still run every year at 1-1/2 miles in New York, but the track cushion Secretariat ran on in 1973 was several inches thinner (i.e., faster) - since then, the running surface has been made much deeper (slower) to help protect the horses' legs.
It's really no different than when Man O' War set the world record for 1-3/8 miles in the 1920 Belmont Stakes. His running time on a dirt surface lasted as a track record for some 71 years -- solely because horses stopped running races at that distance on dirt tracks many, many years ago. If no one is running the distance, then who is going to break the record??
Secretariat's 2:24 running time has been bettered a number of times -- before and since 1973 -- on grass.
Also, although visually exciting to watch on video re-runs, when put in a proper perspective, his 31-length winning margin is not very meaningful. Except for Sham, who broke down in the early stages of the race, and was eased up into last place, the running ability of the three (3) other horses that Secretariat faced in the Belmont Stakes was unremarkable. Secretariat had it all his own way because he faced no Spectacular Bids, no Seattle Slews, no Affirmeds, Dr. Fagers, Buckpassers, etc. If he had, no one would be talking today about a 31-length margin of victory.
Even as it is, 31-lengths is virtually meaningless as a true indicator of the race result -- consider, if the other three (3) horses had fallen down at the start of the race, one could then silly-claim Secretariat had won by 1000 lengths. In either event, given the conditions of the race, and lack of ability of the other three horses, exulting over a 31-length winning margin or a 1000-length winning margin is meaningless.
One comment about Sham -- many supposed "expert" commentators who should know better, seem to delight in stating that Secretariat ran so fast that he broke Sham down before getting through the back stretch. Keep in mind their running time at 6 furlongs (1:09-4/5) was seriously fast for a 1-1/2 mile race, but not for a 6 furlong running time -- that time is several seconds slower than what the top stakes horses in the U.S. are capable of. Secretariat didn't stop Sham. Sham sustained an unfortunate injury (it happens every day to good horses, including Barbaro and Go For Wand) that caused him to be eased and then pulled up. If Sham had been able to stay in the race, Secretariat was not going to win it by 31-lengths.
I'm sorry but I have to disagree no horse could of stayed with Secretariat at that pace and that distance for that long! He was in a race by himself, and any other horse would of faded badly to such a regal horse. Man O War would of been the only horse to stay with him that long, even the best distance horses back then would not been able to Affirmed was spent racing with Alydar going 2:26 so there is no way in heck he could of stayed with Secretariat going 2:24 he would of faded easily 10 lengths behind Big Red because he couldn't keep his speed up to that level.
Risen Star his son and Easy Goer have had the closest two times to Big Red and neither could of run 2:24. that's what makes it great, it doesn't matter that Sham couldn't stay with him and I guarentee you he wouldn't have even if he would of broken down the early going was just to fast for him and that's obvious, if the early quarters weren't enough to do him in the final half mile of the race just kept getting faster, sure some horses like Afleet Alex ran the fastest last quarter of the Belmont up to date but I'd like to see another horse keep up that pace that long and then we will talk about breaking records.
You are right in America there are hardly any mile and a half races but a race like that in terms of speed and visual conformation is one that should never be topped in another Belmont.
Intresting fact is that Secretariat sired Kingston Rule the 1990 Melbourne Cup Winner who still holds the Melbourne Cup Record of 3:16:3
Sham was spent after a hotly contested 6 furlongs with Secretariat at 1:09 4/5 in the 1973 Belmont. I remember getting off work at 4 pm that Saturday and it was very humid in NY for early June. I got home in time to see that Belmont and when they went 6 fl in 9 and change I expected both Sec and Sham to lose!! You could see Sham was TIRED and he was finished after 6 fl!! He did not lift his legs too well then and his ears went down: a sure sign of fatigue. Injured or not Sham would be well beaten that day.
Grass races are faster than dirt because a horse’s foot does not slip and slide even one inch on grass as it does on dirt. The horse’s feet get back into its next stride quicker and easier on grass as can be seen in PG Johnson’s film studies of horses feet action on grass surfaces. PG Johnson is the only trainer to win at least one race a year at Saratoga for 32 straight years.
"Secretariat had it all his own way because he faced no Spectacular Bids, no Seattle Slews, no Affirmeds, Dr. Fagers, Buckpassers, etc. If he had, no one would be talking today about a 31-length margin of victory."
Mr Harris,
That's one of the silliest statements I've ever read.
Secretariat could only race what was put up against him in that race, and he beat them by 31 lengths.
You don't need to be Einstein to work out that Champions don't beat other champions by 31 lengths, so you're telling us nothing.
Like Secretariat, many other great horses have raced opposition that were considered far inferior to themselves, so Mr Harris, can you name me one other great galloper who has won a GR1 race by such a margin.
Re: Follow Up -- Let's have a dispassionate look, ...
by John Harris
Okay -- then, … for discussion purposes, let's get a time machine and we'll all go back to 1988, to pick up Mike Tyson when he was in his ring fighting prime (Tyson being the stand-in here for Secretariat).
You can help pick any local U.S. high school boxing champion then or now (that fellow being here the stand-in functional performance equivalent of Secretariat's opposition in the Belmont Stakes) and -- when Tyson knocks out the hapless high school champ in the time span of 0.002/100ths of a second in the first round, we can all proclaim the feat as being one of the greatest and most devastating sports accomplishments in the history of the world.
With all my best regards!!
P/s -- to respectfully address your rhetorically stated question ... with one such example: Damascus racing at 1-1/4 miles in the Travers Stakes bested his field of unremarkable runners by 22 lengths. Had the Travers been stretched out to a full 1-1/2 miles (the distance of Secretariat's Belmont), Damascus easily would have tacked on an additional 10 or more lengths, over the next quarter-mile, to greatly increase his winning margin to beyond 31 lengths.
Re: Follow Up -- Let's have a dispassionate look, ...
by Tulloch
Mr Harris,
You make one stupid comment after another.
So Secretariat is Mike Tyson and Sham and the others are high-school boxing team class opponents, the same Sham who bettered the Kentucky Derby race record in running second to Secretariat.
Any other year and Sham wins the K/Derby and breaks the race record as well, and yet he's high-school class opposition for the purpose of your ridiculous argument.
I see you still haven't found another 31 length GR1 winner.
All you've got are hypotheticals, and ridiculous ones at that, and they don't stack up against historical FACTS.
One is hard put to fine horses that have won a graded stakes race by at least 20 lengths let alone by 31 lengths! In 1973 after Secretariat won the Belmont by 31 the DRF published a list of horses who had won a race by at least 20 lengths. There were very few to speak about.
Hamburg won by 100 July 30, 1898 at Brighton Beach, Brooklyn N, Y,
Roseben won by 20 Oct, 16, 1906 at Belmont Pk
MOW twice won by at least 20 Belmont Stks and Lawrence Realization
Discovery won by 30 June 25, 1935 in Detroit
Count Fleet twice won by 20 or more Belmont Stks and Walden at Pim April 13. 1943
Damascus by 22 in 1967 Travers.
There may have been a few more on the list but by 1973 that is all the wins by 20 or more that were recorded. No wonder Mr. Harris can’t fine another Grade 1 winner by 31 or more.
Yankee Clipper, you contribute a refreshing breath of intellectual discourse and maturity to this discussion board. I am not attempting to persuade you or anyone else to agree with me and I do not care if anyone does. However, you -- and some of the tolerant others who participate on this discussion board -- might give respectful consideration to these final comments of mine.
Firstly, Secretariat, inarguably, was a great racehorse – a very accomplished and exceptionally strong middle-distance runner (esp. at 1 mile to 1-1/2 miles) but his reputation has since grown to incorporate a soft mix of hyperbole. Because of the consistency of the grass racing surface -- which I thank Yankee Clipper for informing everyone about by posting his enlightening comments -- top stakes horses can run 1-1/2 miles on a grass course about a full second faster than they will on dirt -- i.e., the grass surface usually being about a second faster.
Nonetheless, at Belmont Park, in 1973, Secretariat ran 1-1/2 miles on the grass course almost a full second slower than on the main dirt track.
It is understood, and I think most of us can recognize, that the setting of a new time record at any long-established racetrack in the U.S. is a rather infrequent event. Sometimes many years -- sometimes a decade or more -- might pass before a single new time record will be made. During the 1973 racing season at Belmont Park, an astounding seven (7) new speed records were made on the main dirt track and one was tied.
It was reported by the Daily News and the NY Times at that time (1973) that during the spring of 1973, the Belmont Park track stewards had ordered the main dirt track to be scraped, rolled and pounded to make it uncompromisingly speed-enhanced for Secretariat's attempted 25 year-drought Triple Crown.
The New York racing officials also were building hype for another hoped for speed dual pitting Sham vs. Secretariat in the Belmont Stakes. The more speed-enhancing the main track might be made for the event, then all for the better! The racing officials' speed-enhancing effort resulted in seven new track records within a time-compressed four-month period.
If Secretariat had run on the deeper-cushioned (slower) main track which has existed at Belmont Park for the past two decades, his running time for 1-1/2 miles could be a lot closer to around 2:26 – approaching the same range of running times as were posted by Easy Goer, AP Indy and Point Given. Conversely, had they been permitted to run on an artificially-enhanced fast track, comparable to what the track at Belmont was made to be like in 1973, their times could have been a lot faster than 2:26 or 2:26-2/5.
My parting comment: since this web-site is principally dedicated to Man O’ War, some of you may agree that it is interesting to observe that, when Secretariat ran at 1-5/8 miles in Canada in his last race -- which was run on grass -- he ran the distance in 2:41-4/5. Running on a reliable fast grass surface (in contrast to the artificially speed-enhanced Belmont dirt track), Secretariat ran a full second slower than Man O' War's record time for the same distance at Belmont Park in 1920, which was run on a deeper cushioned dirt track that was a few seconds slower to the mile in 1920 than the Belmont track was in 1973, or that it is today.
Grover G. "Bud" Delp, whose work as the trainer of Spectacular Bid led to his election to racing's Hall of Fame, died Friday night at his home in Ellicott City, Md., after suffering from cancer. He was 74.
BARBARO STAKES TO DEBUT AT PIMLICO NEXT MAY
The Maryland Jockey Club announced that it has changed the name of the Sir Barton Stakes to the Barbaro Stakes. The mile and a sixteenth test for three-year-olds is one of eight added-money races on the Preakness undercard.
Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, is recovering from a shattered hind leg sustained during the middle jewel of the Triple Crown and he remains in intensive care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center. Owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the son of Dynaformer won the 2005 Laurel Futurity as a two-year old. Based in Maryland at the Fair Hill Training Center, the Michael Matz trainee won six races at five different tracks on the turf, over the slop and on fast tracks.
“We thought it was the right thing to do,” said Lou Raffetto, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Maryland Jockey Club. “Barbaro has become the most popular racehorse in the country because of his courageous battle to overcome such a severe injury. This change will allow the next generation of race fans to reflect upon this magnificent and beloved champion during Preakness day at Pimlico.”
The Sir Barton Stakes, named after the first horse to capture the Triple Crown in 1919, debuted at Pimlico in 1993. In 2002, Sarava won the Sir Barton and used it as a springboard to a victory in the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.
BARBARO EXAMINED BY PODIATRIST
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was examined this week by Dr. Scott Morrison, head of the equine podiatry service at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. "Barbaro is stable and comfortable, although we remain concerned about the long term management of his left hind foot," said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery.
According to Barbaro's medical team, Dr. Morrison did some minor work on Barbaro's left hind foot and made recommendations concerning the management of that foot. "There is no timetable at this moment concerning Barbaro's discharge from the hospital," said Dr. Richardson. "His comfort on both hind limbs is good, and his overall condition is excellent."
Barbaro's hoof examined
by Glenye Cain, Daily Racing Form 12/20/2006
http://www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=22274&style=purple
An equine hoof specialist, Dr. Scott Morrison, examined Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's laminitic left hind foot on Tuesday. But few details were available regarding his assessment or advice, and the colt's surgeon reiterated that there is no timetable for releasing Barbaro from the University of Pennsylvania's equine hospital.
Morrison, an equine podiatrist at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., flew to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to assess Barbaro's laminitic hoof and offer advice.
"Barbaro is stable and comfortable, although we remain concerned about the long-term management of his left hind foot," Barbaro's surgeon, Dr. Dean Richardson, said in a statement released Wednesday by the University of Pennsylvania. The release noted that Morrison "did some minor work" and "made recommendations concerning the management of that foot."
A university spokeswoman, Jennifer Rench, said Richardson declined to provide additional details. The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that Roy Jackson, who bred and owns Barbaro with his wife, Gretchen, said Morrison "supplied some answers about how the hoof might be trimmed to provide more balance."
Also in the university statement, Richardson said: "There is no timetable at this moment concerning Barbaro's discharge from the hospital. His comfort on both hind limbs is good, and his overall condition is excellent."
Barbaro has been in the New Bolton Center's intensive care unit since breaking his right leg in the Preakness on May 20. He had surgery to repair the fractures on May 21 and later developed laminitis in his left leg, prompting Richardson to remove most of that hoof.
Richardson sparked intense speculation that Barbaro could be released soon when he said in a Dec. 13 press conference that he could envision the colt leaving New Bolton "in the not-so-distant future."
Bernardini improved his Beyers in 7 straight races during his winning streak. This is something rare as no other “top” has ever accomplished it. Cigar in his 16 straight wins did not do that and Cigar’s best Beyer was 121. Beyer figures of today are not exactly compatible with the Beyers made during the 1970s as they were in a crude evolutionary stage then. In 1986 the figures were perfected and show how fast a horse ran in the past.
Looking back one can reconstruct Secretariat’s Belmont as an estimated 139 perhaps the best race ever run. Groovy ran back to back Beyers in 134 and 131 in 1987 and no horse since Groovy has broken a 130 Beyer. I am sure the stars of the Decade of Champions – the 1970s- Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Secretariat and Spectacular Bid would run high enough Beyers to trounce the “stars’ since that era but it can not be definitively stated.
Article: Arlington Park to Replace Dirt Track With Synthetic Surface
by
Arlington Park to Replace Dirt Track With Synthetic Surface
Dec. 7, 2006 7:51 PM (ET)
http://sports.iwon.com/news/12072006/v9963.html
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) -Arlington Park, where at least 21 thoroughbred horses had to be euthanized after leg injuries on the dirt track during the 2006 racing season, will replace the dirt with a synthetic racing surface next year.
Arlington Park president Roy Arnold said Thursday that the track will invest $10 million to install the new surface. The project should be completed before Arlington's 2007 race meet, which opens May 4.
Arlington's inner turf track will not be affected by the resurfacing, said racetrack spokesman Dan Leary.
Because of the rash of "catastrophic breakdowns" of horses this year, three independent experts - two hired by the Illinois Racing Board and one hired by Arlington management - inspected the dirt surface late in the summer and found it well maintained, Arnold said. But those experts also said European-pioneered synthetic surfaces are more consistent and appear to be safer.
"While we are confident the track's current dirt surface is one of the best, the fact is we lost horses last summer, and that's not acceptable," Arnold said. "If we lose one horse, it's one too many."
Arnold said no final decision had been made on which of the four varieties of synthetic racing surface will be used at the northwest suburban track. Four other racetracks in North America use a synthetic surface.
The old dirt track at Arlington was the scene of one of racing's greatest feats, the mile run in 1:32 1-5 by Dr. Fager on Aug. 24, 1968, under 134 pounds - the highest weight ever carried by a record-setting horse. Dr. Fager's mile world record endured for all surfaces until Mr. Light shaved off a fraction of a second on the turf at Gulfstream last year. It still is the fastest mile on dirt.
Indeed MOW is in Discreet Cat’s pedigree seven times. He can be traced to Batanoea a British mare bought for $11,000 by Walter Jeffords in December 1920 at the Castleton Sales in England. Batanoea was an unraced mare who was included in MOW`s first crop of mares and produced a long line of stars. Discreet Cat’s Cigar Mile closely resembles MOW`s Dwyer run in 1920 with the blisteringly fast contested pace at the maximum a horse can run and then to pull away to a track record. Discreet Cat is a monster the likes of which I have not seen in 25 years or more. Easy Goer whose track record DC equaled that day is ironically one of the elite 36 horses who as three year olds have given weight to older horses and won. Think of it 600 three year old horses in 40 years have tried to concede weight to older horses and a mere 36 have won leaving about 565 failures in 600. Amazing indeed!
There's no way you can compare Discreet Cat to Man O War, at least not yet....
Let him race 15 more times and see how many he losses, before he's as good as MOW.
This is a very nice site
Regards to the Site Owner,
I made this site back in 1999 because I am the only person in my family who follows the sport of horse racing. Also, in the state I live in, the sport of horse racing is rated one of the very last of races anyone talks about. Over here if you mention horse racing to someone, the first name out their mouth is Secretariat, some might mentio Seabiscuit simply becuse of the movie, though few may know that it was based off a real horse. So this chat board is the only way I can talk to fellow horse racing fans, which is one of the reasons I made it, that and to be able to possibly find someone to talk about my favorite race horse, Man O'War.
I never said Discreet Cat is as good as MOW. I believe MOW the best ever and I met him when I was 6 years old (in 1946). He was very powerful to touch and so adorable too. DC has done something “like MOW” in contesting a track record pace and then winning in track record time. Riddle refused to have MOW give Sir Barton weight in the match race because MOW was 3 and Sir Barton 4. Walter Vosburgh called that “A FARCE” I have no doubt MOW could give the older horses weight and win in a canter, but Riddle would not have it. Few horses in that era at 3 years old could give older horses weight and win. Riddle KNEW that. Certainly the best example of a 3 giving weight to older horses was Sysonby who gave 10 lbs to the older Race King and won a dead heat! It was the first day Belmont Park was ever opened in 1905. Sysonby went undefeated the rest of the year as well. He must have been very special.
I wasn't saying in any way you were comparing Man O' War to Descreet Cat. I was just telling Man O War Forever why I made the board in the first place. Becaues I had no one in my family nor in the area I live in to talk to about horse racing in general. Which is why I made this board, so people can come and talk about Man O' War and/or horse racing in general. At the time I made this board, I couldn't find another one like it online. That's not to say one may or may not have existed, I just couldn't find it.
Yankee: Did you ever see Secretariat in person? If so was he just like MOW? He's the one I truly wish I would of seen too.
Beth that's they only name my dad can ever think of in horse racing too, he's my personal favorite because he was the first true champion I heard about when getting into horse racing, it took me a while longer to hear about how great both he and MOW where, I have a world of respect towards MOW but my heart belongs to Secretariat!
I saw Secretariat in person a few times. It was in Saratoga each time and I remember The Sanford Secretariat ran there in 1972. It was the only start in his career when he was NOT the betting favorite. The unbeaten Linda’s Chief was the favorite in that race. It was the second time Ron Turcotte rode him and Secretariat did not seem to get hold of the track. I remember him falling way back on the backstretch but as they turned for home Secretariat came on like a horse “possessed” following his blockers as a football running back and caught Linda’s Chief in the last furlong and pulled away running to daylight. Sec. beat up a great horse in that race. That was when you knew Secretariat was something special! In that small winner’s circle I saw the majesty of Secretariat standing proud and victorious. As they rang the bell (17 minutes till next post time) Secretariat was walked back to his barn, the same barns where MOW lived when HE raced, I did ask the walker to stop for a moment and he obliged and I and my mom stroked and petted Secretariat. He did look a lot like MOW and my mom noticed it too. My thought was good luck Sec. I hope you do as well as the legends of the past especially MOW.
The only thing that really separates the two off track is that Secretariat was a more gracious friendly horse, unlike Man O War and Somethingroyal's other great offspring Sir Gaylord. I've read quite a bit about the Sanford Stakes quite a race for a horse with a big heart.
Thank you very much, you've been lucky to met some greats :)
Discreet Cat was brilliant in his win in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Saturday Nov. 25, 2006. DC was the top weighted horse as a three year old against older stars. It was only the 36th time in 600+tries (in NY) since 1967 that a 3 yr old GAVE weight to older horses and won. Discreet Cat cruised to 6 fl in 1:07 3/5 while contesting the pace with Sliver Train who was the Breeders`Cup Sprint winner in 2005. DC equaled the track record for 1 mile at Aqueduct at 1:32/25 which was set by Easy Goer in 1989. Easy goes ran 6 fl that day in 1:08 3/5. It is the first time I can remember a track record equaled by a 3 yr old who was GIVING weight to older horses. DC was not worn out at all by the very fast pace and will run next year. DC is to meet Invasor again March 29, 2007. DC is the only horse who can beat Invasor as he did last March. Bernardini could not beat Invasor. Discreet Cat is not undefeated for nothing! He is the best horse I have seen in years.
I couldn't remember if I put this on the boad or not, so I may repeat myself.
Man o' War shows up in Discreet Cat's pedigree 7 times from what I found. Here is the list of horses I found in Discreet Cat's pedigree that leads to Man o' War. The (m) means the horse is male and the (f) is female.
Forestry (Sire Side)
(m) Crimson Satan 9 gen. back
(f) Bolero Rose 10 gen. back
(f) Aspidistra 9 gen. back
Pretty Discreet (Dam Side)
(f) Highland Fling 8 gen. back
(f) Busanda 7 gen. back
(m) Swaps 8 gen. back
(f) Glamour 8 gen. back
Bernardini LOST! What would he have done on any other day? He would have lost to Invasor all the more readily if He raced Invasor in March as Discreet Cat did. Bare in mind DC was foaled in May and was really still a two year old when he kicked the crap out of Invasor, a fete Bernardini was not capable of doing at nearly 4 years old. Invasor has no losses in his career except one against DC who was too much for him. Bernardini only beat BUMS especially in the JCGC! DC`s run in the Cigar mile is what greatness is all about! Pressed by Silver Train in 1:07 3/5 nearly track record for 6 fl. And to hold off Badge Of Silver who had a slow pace and was fresh, DC equaled a track record when giving weight to older stars. Bernardini LOST while getting weight. Discreet Cat is BETTER than both Bernardini and Invasor. Period!!!!!! You show no class and a bunch of sour grapes by your statement Bernardini whoulda``` Not classy at all. I stand by Discreet Cat the best I have seen in ages. You should accept defeat gracefully.
I don't follow American racing all that closely, apart from the Derby and the Breeders, but I've heard quite a bit about this, Discreet Cat, so I checked out his runs on 'You Tube'.
DC is some racehorse, the best in the world they say, you won't get any argument from me, God help the field he's up against the day his jockey releases the brakes and gives him his head.
Don't jump the gun on me! I was clearly stating that I think Bernardini didn't have the best of days, I in no way ment to take anything away from the winner. In fact on another board I stated that Invasor would beat him around the track if they went around another time. Where does Discreet Cat come into this? I never said anything harsh about him, in fact I think very highly of him, can't wait till his 07' campaign. Im also really looking forward to seeing Premium Tap run he could be something special. I'm sorry if I got the wrong idea acrossed, but please do not be disrespectful to me.
Yankee Clipper you talk about having class and how every other poster on here is very classless for saying something that you disagree with, but how is it showing class when you jump over someone for saying a 5 word statement? Sure Bernardini didn't beat anything in the Gold Cup but he did face some pretty decent horses in the Preakness and Breeder's Cup even if he didn't win and of course he did have great beyers as well for galloping in a hand ride just like DC.
Discreet Cat should of raced in the Triple Crown but shouda's don't do anything in horse racing, Discreet Cat will kick the crap out of Invasor again if he races him, age mean's nothing to this horse, and that's something I noticed seeing the Cigar Mile FIRST HAND. Your right about one thing Yankee Clipper he's definitly a nice horse, BUT because I am a fan of classic distance runners, I'd still like to see him go farther than a mile and an eight, maybe a mile and a quarter than maybe even he can be Great!
Okay people ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I am getting tired of a person being jumped down his/her thraot on this board all because one person disagrees with something he/she says. You have the right to disagree with the person, BUT you can pick better words to say on this board without insulting the person! NOW COOL IT! Whether a person chooses to disagree with the people on this board is up to that person, but I DO ASK that he/she respects the people on this board! And on this board the best and easiest way to do that is how you pick your words!
Now here we have verifiable facts. It is not my opinion Bernardini lost to Invasor. OK
Invasor has not lost any where in the World except to Discreet Cat. A FACT.
And if DC can go 1:07 3/5 with a stellar older horse in his face and run down another star 4 year old in track record time DC would have no problem running another furlong. LOL
All DC has to do is slow down to 1:08 and change and he will have a ton of energy to win at 1 1.4 miles. I insist I grew up when 2 miles was classic as Kelso won 5 times in 5 years in the JCGP at two miles The distance factor is a COP OUT by HRF which is silly!!!! Any horse even a cheap maiden can win at 6 fl then at 1 ¼ miles. The jockey will hold down the horse for the first quarter mile then let him start his race and DC can easily get 1 ¼ miles a nothing distance really. DC is a ton better than Invasor and Bernardini and the Classic result proves it, Darn Beth you know enough about horse racing to see how wrong they are, NO CLASS
I meant no disrespect to any one. Remember on line talk leaves much to be desired. One does not see the persons` facial expressions nor does one hear any voice inflections.
I think Beth and her board posters are very knowledgeable about horse racing. I do not wish to disrespect anyone and am not doing that. I am just enthused about today’s` star DC. I am sorry for any misunderstandings I caused here.
It is not in disagreement that I get upset, but in not accepting defeat. Clearly Investor beat Bernardini. Just congratulate the winner! Every horse since Spectacular Bid, the last great horse I have seen, is MISSING MORE than Discreet Cat is!!! Do not agree or disagree that is not the problem. Accept defeat gracefully is my bone of contention.
Hmm, I just don't see Discreet Cat being better than Easy Goer, or Cigar horses that actually did something for me because they were legendary athletes.
You really believe that after only a few races he's that great? then will have to wait and see, i just can't stand to see this horse or any horse be owned by a greedy sheik, its ruining horse racing.
Just thought I'd let you's all know that I was in Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup earlier this month and I did what all Australian racing fans do when in Melbourne, I went to the Museum to see Phar Lap.
I've wanted to see him ever since I was a kid and when I walked into the huge room where he's on display, I could hardly believe my eyes, he looks so real you think he's going to walk right out of his glass case.
The taxidermists did a wonderful job in preserving our greatest thoroughbred champion, he stands there surveying everyone who walks into his domain, his eyes not so much staring as observing.
Some people are overcome when they see him for the first time, and most talk in whispers so as not to disturb the Champ, he really is something to see.
The room is not very brightly lit, giving it a very peaceful atmosphere, and the silk curtains that surround it are red, white and black ( Phar Lap's racing colours ).
If any of you ever make it out here to Australia, this is one attraction you must see.
Thats so cool! I've always wanted to see him. Though, a trip to Aussi is hard for a 15-year-old! ^^
I thought they did amazing as well. You can see every vein. Unlike Misty and Stormy, they looks god-awefull
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! My appologies for not posting this sooner, but I had a crazy day today. This is the first chance I've had to get online. I hope everyone had a great day today.
Article: Committee Recommends Dropping NYRA as Racing Operator
by
Committee Recommends Dropping NYRA as Racing Operator
Nov 21, 6:34 PM (ET) Email this Story
URL: http://sports.iwon.com/news/11212006/v0384.html
BY MICHAEL GORMLEY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -A group featuring New York Yankees partner Steve Swindal could be the next operator of the state's three major thoroughbred racetracks - Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga.
If the incoming state government follows recommendations made Tuesday by the state Committee on the Future of Racing in New York, the New York Racing Association's 50-year hold on the franchise would end.
The committee selected Excelsior Racing Associates, a group that also includes casino developer Richard Fields and Tishman Speyer Properties, a major New York developer. Swindal is the son-in-law of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
The state Legislature, and likely Gov.-elect Eliot Spitzer, will make a final decision that is expected next year.
Excelsior guaranteed to pay the state at least $100 million up front. But Excelsior was the only competitor with a plan to pay for more than $50 million in pension debt owed by NYRA.
Excelsior's close competitor, Empire Racing, proposed $100 million up front with $7.5 million more a year for 20 years, including revenue from a proposed hotel at Aqueduct Racetrack.
NYRA's franchise is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2007. NYRA has sought to renew the franchise despite its recent brushes with insolvency and a history of mismanagement that resulted in state and federal investigations.
Under a complex scoring system, Excelsior scored 94.6 in areas that included integrity and responsibility, financial viability and details that included plans for renovations of tracks and how to improving the racing industry while attracting more bettors to tracks. Empire scored 93 and NYRA scored 76.5 points, despite attracting no votes for first or second place under the categories of "integrity" and "details of the proposals."
That proposal includes video slot machines already planned for Aqueduct. Excelsior also won out in the alternate proposal, guaranteeing $200 million, that proposed video slot machines for Belmont Park and Aqueduct.
"For the past several years, New York fans and taxpayers have been waiting for the transparency, accountability, and racing integrity they deserve," Swindal said. "We have a considerable amount of work to do in the coming weeks and months, but are confident in our team's expertise and ability to deliver the very best racing experience in the world to our fans."
"We're at the quarter pole and we're neck and neck," said Jeff Perlee of Empire Racing, a Saratoga Springs group that includes Churchill Downs and Magna Entertainment along with horse owners and breeders.
"These aren't the decision makers," Empire spokesman Robert Bellafiore said of the committee. "The decision makers are the governor and the Legislature."
As a sign of how the already contentious debate may go, Bellafiore derisively referred to Excelsior as a "dog track operator" based on the bulk of its experience which is in harness racing and greyhound racing.
Churchill Downs runs the storied track in Kentucky and other racing operations, including the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course. Magna Entertainment of Ontario, Canada, operates Santa Anita Park in California, Gulfstream Park in Florida and Pimlico in Maryland.
Excelsior promised to increase revenue and purses by putting video slot machines at tracks other than Saratoga, and enhancing restaurant and other facilities at all three tracks.
New management at NYRA proposed to continue running racing under a model that would allow it to better compete with casinos, lotteries, and other competitors. NYRA wasn't credited for proposing any guaranteed payment, instead saying it would provide $101 million if certain conditions were met first.
"We are certain that state officials will study the bids submitted and seek independent verification of any franchise candidate's suitability to conduct racing in New York before any final recommendation or action is taken," NYRA CEO Charles Hayward said. "When all the facts are evaluated, we are confident NYRA will be the obvious choice."
November 2,1968 was the date of Dr. Fager`s last race. I recall a story told to me by my cousin who worked at Tartan Farms in the 1960`s. "I recall the incident when the staff at Tartan Farms chipped in to buy the boss W. McKnight a birthday present." The gift was a CHEAP maiden claimer named Aspidistra who had won only 2 of 14 races. This mare that could not beat “A fat man kicking a barrel up a hill” gave birth to TWO champions Dr. Fager and Ta Wee. Ta Wee was a tremendous weight carrier who won back to back renewals of The Fall Highweight and in 1969 carried 130 lbs to victory. It was the most weight ever put on a 3 year old filly. How unscientific was that breeding where lightning struck twice in two years.
Did the great Ta Wee ever meet Shuvee in a race since each was foaled in 1966 and each ran mostly in New York? I remember Shuvee as a big mean spirited horse who did not like people about her. Shuvee was a New York filly Triple Crown winner in 1969 and amazingly won the JCGC two times in two years.
Shuvee beat older males at two miles twice! Bernardini could not beat the older Invasor this year. If Ta Wee did meet Shuvee who won? It sounds like a nautral match up.
Ta Wee met Shuvee three times and won the race all three times. The most remarkable was the 1969 Vosburgh won by Ta Wee by a nose in a six horse photo finish. Only 1 length + separated the first six horses. Shuvee was ridden by Ron Turcotte that day and was sixth 1 ½ lengths out. Fred Capposella was the announcer who said it reminded him of the 1944 triple dead heat at Aqueduct. The first race track to have a public address system was Belmont Pk. in 1930 and the first announcer was Fred Capposella who was still calling races every day when Secretariat was racing. Fred Capposella estimates he had seen 80,000 races in his time of 40 years as a race caller. His famous call “It is now post time.” is well remembered by people of that era. Capposella said many time his favorite race to have called was the 1944 Carter Handicap which produced a triple dead heat to win between Brownie, Wait a Bit and Boussett.
Barbaro's Cast Removed
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2006-11-06-barbaro_x.htm?csp=34
Updated 11/6/2006 8:36 PM ET
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Barbaro is walking freely, without a cast.
Nearly six months after a horrifying accident at the Preakness, Barbaro had the cast removed from his lower right hind leg on Monday. The Kentucky Derby winner was in the cast since having surgery on May 21, a day after the second race of the Triple Crown series.
"He had a perfect pool recovery and immediately stood. He walked easily back to his stall," said Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. "He used all of his legs quite well."
Barbaro's left hind hoof, which was stricken with a severe case of laminitis, hasn't shown signs of any new problems.
"The hoof needs several more months of growth before we will know how much foot structure and function will be recovered," Richardson said.
During Monday's procedure, Barbaro's foot was trimmed and a new shoe was glued on it. A padded bandage with plastic and fiberglass splints was placed on his lower limb for support.
Barbaro suffered life-threatening injuries when he broke three bones above and below his right rear ankle at the start of the Preakness. The 3-year-old colt sustained a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint — the ankle — was dislocated.
Richardson said after performing surgery the pastern bone was shattered in "20-plus pieces."
Barbaro's right hind bones healed so well after surgery his cast could have been off months ago, if not for the laminitis in his other hind leg. The painful hoof disease prevented the cast from being removed sooner because the colt could not protect himself by bearing more weight on the left hind.
Barbaro's devastating injuries captured the attention of racing fans across the nation this summer. The outpouring of sympathy was overwhelming and daily updates on Barbaro's condition were provided by the medical staff at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted 11/6/2006 5:42 PM ET
Updated 11/6/2006 8:36 PM ET
Life a series of small steps for Barbaro
By Steve Ginsburg
link http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news?slug=reu-racingbarbarodc&prov=reuters&type=lgns
KENNETT SQUARE, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Life is, quite literally, a series of small steps for Barbaro.
Each day the Kentucky Derby champion's quest for survival begins with a short walk around the veterinary hospital in eastern Pennsylvania where doctors monitor his every move.
The colt begins his 20-minute journey gingerly, testing his damaged hind legs like an unsure weanling. Barbaro gains confidence with each step and ends his walk with a firm gait.
"We're real happy with the condition of his right hind leg, the broken leg," said Dean Richardson, the gifted veterinarian who saved Barbaro's life during a six-hour operation.
"It's healed to the point where, if he didn't have the left foot problem, we'd be ecstatic. But the remaining hurdle is still a very high hurdle."
Barbaro's evolution from unbeaten Triple Crown threat to tragic figure came swiftly and publicly.
During the opening stretch of the Preakness Stakes in May, the Kentucky-bred son of Dynaformer shattered the bones in his right hind leg.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd at Pimlico Race Course at the sight of Barbaro lifting his damaged leg off the ground. Jockey Edgar Prado jumped off the dark bay colt and frantically tried to calm him down while the race continued.
"I've often thought of that as being a microcosm of life," Gretchen Jackson, who owns Barbaro with her husband Roy, told Reuters in an interview. "Here's somebody with a catastrophic injury and still life goes on... We were all pretty much in shock watching it. It was unbelievable."
DEVASTATING INJURY
A horse with Barbaro's devastating injury normally would have been put down but the Jacksons were determined to save the colt if he could live pain-free.
Although his career as a racehorse ended at the Preakness, the life-saving operation at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center was a success. Twenty-seven screws were used to repair his fractured cannon, sesamoid and long pastern bones.
In July, however, Barbaro developed laminitis -- a painful condition caused by putting excessive weight on one leg because of an injury to another -- and Richardson was forced to remove the hoof wall from the horse's left leg.
Now, while the right leg is wrapped with nothing more than a soft bandage, it is the left leg that is the problem. Barbaro's survival is not guaranteed until he grows a new hoof.
Millions of animal lovers, horse racing enthusiasts and everyday well-wishers are praying that Barbaro can ultimately leave the hospital and live out his life peacefully.
When Barbaro first injured his leg, several dozen fruit baskets arrived at the hospital each day along with stacks of get-well cards. Six months after the surgery, several baskets and perhaps two dozen cards still arrive daily.
The stack of mail on recent days revealed cards from places as far away as California, Arizona and Canada. One woman from Michigan writes two cards each day. Almost all the cards and letters are addressed -- and written -- to Barbaro, not the hospital staff.
Jackson, who lives just down the road from the hospital, visits Barbaro twice a day. She offers a few theories as to why the public is fascinated with the three-year-old colt but concedes she really is not sure.
"It's amazing," she said. "I could say he's a splendid-looking horse. He has a presence to him. He has a very noble, gallant look about him when he's on the track, but it has to be more than that.
"I think people saw everybody support the horse and love it through its injury rather than discarding it," said Jackson. "Everything is disposable in society now and maybe people saw this as something that isn't disposable. It's valued."
HOSPITAL BILLS
Jackson bristles at suggestions Barbaro was saved for the millions of dollars he could earn as a stud.
"We don't even know if he's potent," she said. "He's never been tested. And wouldn't it have been simpler to collect the insurance and just walk away? We wouldn't have had to deal with all that we've been dealing with.
"And God knows what the (hospital) bills are going to be like. Yes, it would have been a lot simpler to walk away."
Two enduring images of Barbaro are emblazoned on the public's mind. The first is his stirring 6 1/2-length triumph at the May 6 Kentucky Derby, the largest winning margin in 60 years.
The second is a distraught Barbaro struggling with his shattered leg two weeks later at Pimlico, a horse wanting to run but unable to lower his foot on the track.
Richardson remains guardedly optimistic about Barbaro's chances of survival.
"He's in the process of regrowing his hoof," he said. "And that's not a sure-fire proposition that it occurs adequately on any horse at any time. He has a long way to go. He is certainly not out of the woods. But we're hopeful."
Article: Eclipse Award winner Bowl Game euthanized
by
Eclipse Award winner Bowl Game euthanized
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2006-11-10-bowl-game_x.htm?csp=34
Posted 11/10/2006 7:34 PM ET
The Associated Press
PAEONIAN SPRINGS, Va. — Bowl Game, the Eclipse Award winner as the top male turf horse in 1979, was euthanized Friday at the age of 32 because of infirmities.
Under the care of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation since 1998, Bowl Game had been living at the farm of TRF President Johnathan Miller in Paeonian Springs, Va.
Miller said Bowl Game had trouble eating over the past week, but had been receiving intravenous nutrition and appeared alert when he was turned out Thursday morning.
"It was a beautiful, sunny day and he was out in the pasture and got two-thirds of the way up the hill, and just lay down," Miller said. "He was in some distress and it was clear to us that the time had come."
At 5-years-old, Bowl Game won the Grade I Washington D.C. International, the Grade I Turf Classic, the Grade I Man o'War, two other stakes races, and earned the Eclipse Award in 1979. He was retired in 1980 due to a tendon problem.
A bay gelding, he won 11 of 23 career starts, earning $907,083. He was taken in by the TRF upon the death of owner Mrs. John Hay Whitney, the matriarch of Greentree Stable.
Bowl Game will be buried on Miller's farm.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
There is a racehorse by the name of Unbridled, is that the horse you're talking about?? A number of his offspring also has the name "Unbridled" in their name such as "Unbridled Song" which I think is a stallion and a son of his (I think). But the horse Unbridled is a stallion still in breeding I think....
Unbridled the Kentucky Derby winner for Mrs. Gesture has been dead since the late 1990's are early 2000's he's been gone a while!! He was a pretty horse!
Saturday's Breeders' Cup Distaff had a pall cast over it after Pine Island was euthanized and Fleet Indian suffered a career-ending injury during the running of the race. The two had gone off as the 5-2 co-favorites in the Distaff.
Pine Island sustained a dislocation of the left front fetlock joint shortly after entering the backstretch of the 1 1/8-mile Distaff’
Castellano was tossed heavily to the ground when Pine Island fell but suffered no serious injuries and returned to ride Bernardini to a second-place finish in the Classic.
Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, the American Association of Equine Practitioners veterinarian on call at Churchill Downs for the Breeders' Cup, said the decision was made immediately to euthanize Pine Island because the injury was open and unstable and the risk of infection was extremely high.
the way she dislocated made it wre they couldn`t ix it,and it was alos fractured in severalt places if i heard correct,and since she broke the skins, risk of infection was highh,
but i saw a pick of go for wand`s leg,it was horrible.
I hate how you keep picking on me for liking a three year old, sure today he got beat but that's because he's still a premature three year old, what can you expect from one, to be honest the move that Javier gave him in the turn made me remember the premature move in the Derby that Rose did on Afleet Alex, that backstretch is really long and I figured Invasor would do well (because of his late kick), he's the only horse I didn't want winning but what can you do that's horse racing. To bad Bernardini didn't go out a winner!
Actually your right I wasn't around to see Secretariat or Dr. Fager because I'm only 16 but you need to realize that I'm not a partisan to Bernardini over my favorite horse Secretariat, because Bernardini is not as good as Secretariat and never will be, I just think it was exciting to see a good 3 year old this year do well against older horses and even though he lost the Classic by a length, I still think he's good enough to beat Invasor if he'd run next year, Invasor already had the advantage because he's older just like Saint Liam to Flower Alley last. Hey Bernardini is still a talented, beautiful three year old who had a heck of a year and I'm glad he was here to give me some memories and bring some popularity to the sport..
It's kind of erie that Pine Island looked so simliar to Ruffian, tall, black, with a small diamond bless her she was a tough filly and her injury was horrendous 4 fractures.
It certainly was the grave yard of favorites today only 2 won Dreaming of Anna and Ouija Board, Bernardini was the only favorite to place 2nd. And favoring to horses towards the rail, Bernardini certainly didn't do his best today but you can't always shake a horse like Invasor and It was nice to see two champs match up, today Invasor was just a little better!
Bernardini lost in November when a good 3 can beat a good 4 about 75% of the time when getting weight as Bernardini did today. Invasor has won all but one race in ten tries and Invasor is the TC winner in Uruguay. The only horse to win a race against Invasor is Discreet Cat who ran Invasor dizzy for two furlongs and pulled away from him by 8. The Shiek sent the Wrong horse to the Classic.
Tip your hat to Invasor and do not make excuses for Bernardini. Show some CLASS kid for Invasor was the better horse today.
I'm sorry didn't I not say that Invasor was better yesterday? I knew the long stretch would suit Invasor better and I did say he had a better race so I do have some Class unlike some people who only put down others opinions for liking a horse.
Calm down, please? I'm afriad I missed a good part of the Breeders' Cup this year on account of a personal matter plus work, but I'm surpirsed no one has mentioend the mare that fell and had to be put down after the race. I only saw it after it happned (on the news) where the jockey had to be taken to the hospital and the horse later had to be put down. The news here didn't even say if it was a mare or a filly or her name.
But plase can we put this other matter asside?? Just try and chock it up to a difference of opinion and leave it there? I would really appreciate it.
There is no way to talk about Horse Racing without a difference of opinion getting into the conversation. It is difference of opinion that makes horse racing in all its aspects.
It is living in a dream world to believe one can address the matter of winning horses without different opinions from different people. Get a strong opinion of your own Beth.
The board would die out without strong opinions of its posters.
Having a different opinion is fine, I agree that's what makes this board work. But the first rule of this board is RESPECT. You don't have to agree with a person's opinion, but at least respect the person and the opinion even if you disagree.
That was nice Carly and it is fun to see MOW. Now that is a horse you can love! It still stirkes awe in me when I see MOW photos as MOW is what reatness is all about.
Juvenile Fillies
1. Dreaming of Anna- with the deflection of the top two runners this speed ball certainly has the chance to get it done.
Juvenile
1. Principle Secret: This is one Pacific Coast Shipper I see doing well, he's lightly raced and should has done little wrong in winning the Best Pal and second by a nose in the Furtility after setting wild fractions...
Fillies Turf
1. Ouija Board: Any Questions? Obvious
Mile
1. Araafa: Nice European Horse I see him doing well tomorrow enough to hold off Gorella, maybe not
Sprint
1. Henny Hughes is phenomonal just like his Darley Stud buddy Bernardini this three year old is certainly nice, hope he doesn't turn into a Lost in the Fog in the Sprint. If he doesn't win I see the upset going to Pomeroy or War Front.
Turf
1. English Channel: It's his time 4th last year he's had a great year not a fan of Hurricane if English Channel doesn't win then Cacique his rival will.
Distaff
1. Fleet Indian may have the race in the bag, if Balleto wasn't racing, She should have a good showing her for her trainer.
Classic
1. Bernardini: Who can Argue? Amazing 3 year old, Beyer's and Talent definitly go his way, a short price but I just love this horse to death! and would love to see him go out with a great win!!!!!
2. David Junior: Never raced on Dirt but by a dirt sire and I think he'll do well enough here to hit the board maybe in the Show postition
3. Invasor: Will be coming late as usual but how late? Don't think he has enough speed to take down a determined Bernardini.
4. Giacomo: I really hope this horse doesn't screw my pick four up again!! At least its not run at Saratoga so he would have a better chance, nice horse running against some TALENT
5. Lava Man: His expolsive move at the turn won't work here in Churchill and I see him fading badly in the stretch, my favorite Cali horse but not here!!
Ouija Board was OBVIOUS in last Year’s BCFM after winning it in 2004. She lost this race last year to Intercontinental by 1 ¼.
A more subtle clue is that David Junior and Ouija Board have beaten each other in England. How well Ouija Board does in the 5th race may dictate how well David Junior is placed in the Classic. David Junior has run Beyers in the 123 to 127 range while Bernadini`s range is 114 to 118. David Junior has better average earnings per start life time compared to Bernadini. His first start on dirt is no obstacle for he has won on left handed courses, right handed courses and straight courses at over 1 ¼ miles. Brian Meehan paid $75,000 to enter him in the Classic. He believes the horse can run on dirt.
If David Junior can handle the dirt he is a serious player against Bernardini. Love the horses you want but do not be a Chalk Eater by picking favorite after favorite and then watch 2/3 of them lose. Maybe you had not seen Secretariat, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Buckpasser, Ruffian etc for then you would not be so in love with Bernardini who is just another good 3.
ok do not atack me for my post i don`t pick on states reall,i pick wih the way they look(and not color,but strucure, and i dunno its wierd,lol)
Race #1: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies:
(Pgm. No. 1) Dreaming of Anna- se reminds me of my mom(who past away resintly)and i like her,nice filly
Race #2: Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile:
(Pgm. No. 7) Great Hunter- becasue he just seems coll,and i like his look
Race #3: Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup F&M Turf:
(Pgm. No. 8) My Typhoon (IRE)-becaus ei love her(and Ouiji Board, it was a tie for them so i closed my eye and which ever one i go out of those two was my pick)
Race #4: TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint:
(Pgm. No. 10) War Front- love the name, and he is pretty, i think he wil do good
Race #5: NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile:
(Pgm. No. 14) Aussie Rules- i have an aussi sheperd so the name stcuk out, and i think its a cute horse.
Race #6: Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff:
(Pgm. No. 11) Bushfire- i saw her race once and she rocked
Race #7: John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf:
(Pgm. No. 10) English Channel- saw him twice, once with Shakespear and nother the day of the ken. or prek.)
Race #8: Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge:
(Pgm. No. 8) Lava Man- i love himmm, and Beridini is so i dunno something seems so fake about him
Warning! if you don't have a sense of humor don't read this
1.Turf- the obvious choice here is Hurricane Run right, WRONG!!!. The way I see it his racing career is exactly like his sires (Montjeu) as a two and three year he looks nearly invincible, then something happens and he looks mediocre at best so I am going to rule him out. Cacique usually chokes in big races. America's home grown hero English Channel would I love to see him win but, probably won't. Not going to stand up to the European contingent. Thus in my state of mind the Turf comes down to two horses. Scorpion if he can regain his form of late last year. And Red Rocks who is in the mold of English Channel if he went to Europe obvious talent but, just can't put it all together for a win, today I think he can put it altogether.- Red Rocks
2.Mile- my head says Araafa but, my heart says Gorella What to do!!."Remember what the door mouse said feed your head"..- Araafa (I heard that when Kenny Mayne interviewed Gorella about her chances against the boys today she just kept saying "nay naaaayyyy." I don't think she's to confident.)
Sprint- Henny Hughes East Coast vs. Bordonaro West Coast. I sided with Biggie Smalls during the whole east coast west coast rivalary (every one was having fun, then Biggie had to go and die what a party pooper).-Henny Hughes
4.Distaff- Fleet Indian was visiously attacked yesterday during a light jog on lookers say that Shane Stant ran up beside her and clubbed her in the knee Fleet Indian was quoted after words as saying "Naaaayyyyy!!!!! Naaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!.". Without Fleet Indian it looks to be a lock for Balletto.-Balletto
5.Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies- who really cares about these pimple faced little pre-teens.-Scat Daddy, Cash Included
6.F&M Turf- the aging queen of the truf Ouija Board is going to be left in the dust (although the race is on grass so I suppose a more accurate statement would be "left in her kicked up pieces of sod." or something?)of Wait A While.- Wait A While
7.Classic- Let's get readyyy tooo ruuummmbbbblllleee!!!!!!!!!!!(I just got sued by Micheal Buffer but, who cares it's Breeder's Cup day) The way I see it Bernardini will either win or he won't. I heard Giacomo was in the Classic are you kidding me he's won one race since his Kentucky Derby "Win". All Joking aside I am really intrested in how George Washington will fair. Sure his sire is Danehill who was also the sire of Dylan Thomas and we all know what happened in the JCGC but, George Washington's dam is a daughter of Alysheba a very good dirt horse he could be like Giant's Causeway 5 years ago except win. The east coast is like Kryptonite to Lava Man not going to factor but, thats cool for him there's always next year.- George Washington (can't wait to see him freak out in the winners circle and donkey kick somebody in the face lol!.)
The Breeders' Cup was designed to formalize the process of determining champions, and it has worked gloriously since its inception in 1984. Regional biases are muted, since there is the opportunity for the best in the world to meet on one day, at one site. This year's $5 million Classic best exemplifies the importance of the Breeders' Cup.
Before 1984, Bernardini would have completed his year with the Jockey Club Gold Cup in New York. Invasor, having missed the Gold Cup, would be resting for a 2007 campaign. Lava Man likely would have remained in California, where he reigns supreme. With the Breeders' Cup, they are forced to converge on Saturday on neutral ground at Churchill Downs, in a showdown for Horse of the Year.
Today is the day the great Man O' War died, in 1947. He was 30 years old at the time. This post is just to stop and think back on the amazing feats he pulled in thoroughbred horse racing that still awe people today. Even after the many amazing race horses that have come after him, some people (myself included) still consider Man O' War to be the greatest race horse ever. Perhaps one day the great Big Red will stop being a footnote in history, like it seems he's become, and horse racing fans of all ages will sit back and finally notice the great race horse he was and still is.
Berenardini or Discreet Cat will be the favorite in the Classic next Saturday Nov. 4, 2006
They are 3 year olds and they will be given a weight concession against older horses in the race. That is as it should be because when a three year old is assigned actual top weight in a race for horses 3 years old and up, the three year old has little or no chance of winning. In all stakes and allowance races in New York during the period from 1967 to 1991 there were only 17 documented exceptions to this out of more than 300 who tried it.
Fewer than 20 winners in 25 years is good evidence that 3 yr olds need to get weight concessions from older horses. Of the 17 who defied the scale of weights and won 15 of them bounced in their next starts losing and showing a continual decline in their form in subsequent starts. Only 2 retained their winning form.
Easy Goer gave older horses weight in 1989 Woodward won and repeated his win in the 1989 JCGC. Easy Goer spoiled Sunday Silence’s TC bid by beating him by 8 in the Belmont Stokes.
Damascus in the 1967 Aqueduct Handicap (his next start after the 22 win in the Travers) gave two top older fillies 5 lbs each. They were Straight Deal (Jacobs Owned) and Ring Twice. Damascus won that day and in his next start defied the scale of weight bounce by winning the Race of The Century by beating Dr. Fager and Buckpasser. Damascus then won the 1967 JCGC at 2 miles. Note how many greats got weight at 3 from older horses and lost! Bid got 5 lbs from Affirmed and LOST. Secretariat got weight from Prove Out and Onion and lost BOTH TIMES. I think it stamps how special Damascus was.
That's a good point, however Secretariat's loss to Prove it Out in the Woodward wasn't truly his fault, yet the fault of Lauren. He hadn't seriously been training for the race, he had been thrown in the race because Riva Ridge didn't run a lick in the mud and Lauren decided it would be good for Big Red to get a workout before the Man O War Invitational (on grass), he had only been training on grass and had only had one workout on the grass so therefor he was un prepared. And he still finished 11 lengths in front of the 3rd horse. There are many excuses for him but I think this is an intersting point.
However Damascus was certainly one of the best weight carriers, he and Discovery are known for it!
Which horse throughout history is the greatest weight carrier? Quite possibly the great Forego, who was constantly burdened with high imposts in the 70's. Can anyone tell me why a horse like The Bid, who was arguably even more dominant a few years later, was not asked to carry as much weight?
Did handicapping of races change during that time?
Afleet Alex is right when he mentioned Rosben as a great weight carrier. Roseben was called “The Big Train” for he carried high weight like a runaway freight train. For example on July 17, 1907 at Brighton Beach Brooklyn Roseben carried 147 lbs and won the race giving the runner up 60 lbs. Roseben won 12 times when carrying 140 lbs or more! On October 16, 1906 Roseben under 147 lbs set the National American record for 7 fl at Belmont Pk. in a time of 1: 22. Rosen gave the place horse 41 lbs and beat Beauclare by 20 lengths. Roseben that day created the first minus win pool know to racing when he was offered by the books at 1- 100. The most weight ever carried to a National record and the biggest spread to the place horse for a National record was accomplished that day by Roseben. It stood as a National American record for 41 years and Belmont Pk track record for 51 years. I believe Roseben to be the best weight carrier in history.
Next Saturday the Breeders Cup will be held at CD for a record 6th time. Truth of the matter is that a Three Stooges rerun gets a bigger television audience than the Breeders Cup races and that is according to TV Guide magazine. It is a trend for many years now. It shows how boring and dull racing has become in recent years. It is not the good old days any more.
Right now according to TVGuide.com the 2006 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship is going to be on ESPN (the first one) and will be on around 12:00 noon EST and will be on TV for about 6 hours. I got this information online tonight, so I may or may not change but I just wanted to let everyone know.
It will still be boring as Hades to watch the Breeder`s Cup races no matter which station carries it. Note how the major networks do not want to show it for its poor ratings. Note too how all the networks vie for the World Series in prime time. I tip my hat to St Louis for winning it all. They beat Detroit in the post season whereas we (The Yankees) could not. I am a die hard Yankee fan since 1949.
It's sad, I really wish we'd have a TC Winner as pathetic as it sounds that's the only way the sport get's "REAL" attention for example look at what Man O War did for Saratoga he brought thousands to the track, horse lovers and non, and Secretariat brought America back to racing with his tremendous racing, fact is there is no TC Winner and good horses like Bernardini will only race for 10 months before heading off to make the big bucks for his greedy owners. So America doesn't even get introduced to a good horse before it leaves.
Article: 4 Horses at Monmouth Park Test Positive for Equine Herpes Virus
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4 Horses at Monmouth Park Test Positive for Equine Herpes Virus
Oct 25, 8:35 PM (ET)
OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) -Four horses stabled at Monmouth Park tested positive Wednesday for the respiratory version of equine herpes.
The four positive tests came out of a group of 11 horses that were tested. William Keegan, the veterinarian caring for the horses, said the results of the other tests were expected back by Thursday morning.
The barn housing all 11 horses has been under quarantine since Sunday, when five horses were found to have fevers. None of the horses stabled at Monmouth Park has been allowed to race out of state, and all horses that have raced at the Meadowlands Racetrack have been required to return to Monmouth for a period of 12 days, the incubation period for the virus.
That requirement extends to out-of-state horses that race at the Meadowlands. Wednesday and Thursday night's programs at the Meadowlands were scheduled to feature only horses shipped from Monmouth Park.
Equine herpes virus produces flu-like symptoms such as upper respiratory infections and a high fever. In severe cases, it can attack a horse's nervous system and affect coordination and balance and can lead to the horse being euthanized. It is transmitted through contact between horses, similar to a human cold, but does not affect humans.
None of the Monmouth horses exhibited any neurological symptoms, according to Keegan, although results of neurological tests had not yet been received by Wednesday evening.
"I feel like we caught this early enough to contain it and nip it in time," Keegan said.
Does anyone know if he will race next year or has heard the slightest Idea that he will retire after the Classic. I remember hearing at one point that his retirement depends on how well he does out of the Classic
This spectacular colt has only raced one year, and he get's better everytime!!! It would be stupid to retire him, but I'm not so sure about his owner, I wish someone other then Darley Stud owned him.
This would be the third blow in the last 3 year years for great three year olds, if he retires, Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones.
Since the 1960`s it has been commonplace to retire a top 3 year old at the end of the season. It is the economics of racing as the horse can earn much more money at stud than he can in racing and there is little chance of a horse’s breakdown at a stud farm.
Are you twisting the competition angle to suit your fancy? The conservative Daily Racing Form said the JCGC in 2006 was not exactly the strongest field it had ever seen. Wanderin Boy is a cheap speed horse that would come back to any horse. It is not that difficult to catch a cheap speed horse that has an easy lead.
Envision if Wanderin Boy had been Dr. Fager loose on the lead, then Bernadini would not have caught up with Dr. Fager or any top speed horse for that matter. Speaking of Beyers Bernadini`s range is 118 to 120 which is great but far short of Dr. Fager, Damascus, Secretariat etc who ran in a top range of 132 to 138. Discreet Cat(121 Beyer)has enough early kick to burn out Bernadini but he would knock himself out in the process and hand the race to Lava Man. That is why they have opted to go to different races with Bernadini and Discreet Cat. You are too impressionable about “Greatest Evers.” Bernadini is just another good top who would not be getting this much attention if Barbaro did not break down in the Preakness.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum owns both Discreet Cat and Bernardini.
Discreet Cat runs under Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin banner, while Bernardini runs under his Darley Stable moniker.
Provided Bernardini makes the Classic, Discreet Cat will start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 25 as has been the plan since his monster win in the Jerome Handicap on Oct. 1
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has said he will have Discreet Cat run in the Breeders Cup Classic only if Bernardini can not make the race. Discreet Cat is well bred to run the distance of the Classic. It is not a question of which horse is better but simply a matter of not using Discreet Cat as a powerful rabbit against himself. It is a powerful one two punch to have Discreet Cat in one race and Bernardini in another race.
What's your problem? I never said Bernardini was better then Secretariat, Ruffian, Damascus??? I found that on a website and posted that so don't b*tch to me about something I didn't say. Besides no horse with ever be as good as Secretariat or Ruffian when she was 2, all I said was it would be ridiculous to retire him after running a year, as long as he's sound he Should run next year it is a opinion and I don't see the harm in getting a great three year old to run next year, it be great for the sport, the sport needs a good horse.
Man O War Lover: Lava Man's Beyers are slower then Bernardini but I don't know what his average is.
Yankee Clipper, in you fantasy race with Discreet Cat, Bernardini, and Lava Man, Lava Man would burn out soon then Bernardini, the horse needs to be on the lead or running 2nd so if he was behind Discreet Cat who runs a half in say :45 or :46 he would be down and out before the stretch and the more adverstile Bernardini, Sun King or Invasor would finish off the race who can lay off the pace our any where they want.
Maybe you should watch the horses running styles before popping off about what would happen in a fictious race, that isn't going to happen
Bernardini will retire after the Breeders Cup. Discreet Cat wll run again next year. The owner Shiek has said so. Lava Man has Beyers in the 110 range
but past times won`t prove anything! Discreet Cat beat Invasor by 8 in a $2 million race in March. Discreet Cat can prompt faster pace figures than Bernardini and his trainer has slowed the Cat down on purpose. Who cares if Bernardini retires? What is MOW Lover? Why is it dorected at me?
Intersting Note I found Posted by Depalma13 About Classic
by Horse Racing Fan
I don't think it even it is an Invasor/Bernardini matchup. To me it is all Bernardini. Go to NTRA.com and watch the Pimlico Special. Invasor needed a big effort to get past Wandering Boy, who had an easy lead. Okay, I can accept that it is tough to chase a loose on the lead horse. Well, Wanderin Boy had an even easier lead in the JCGC and Bernardini passed him like he was standing still.
Wanderin Boy's Beyer in the Pimlico Special was a 106. He got a 105 for the JCGC. So he basically ran his same race.
Bernardini's normal race is better than any race any of the possible competitors have ever put up. Unless something happens to him, I can't see him losing the race. The video replays confirm everything his past performances show. He doesn't break a sweat while dismissing everything he's faced. Lava Man and Invasor have had to work to get their wins.
So most people trying to beat him are banking on Bernardini's lack of adversity, how will he respond to a horse looking him in the eye. I think it is a mute point. There isn't a horse running in this race that will get a chance to do that. The horses that have the seasoning, have never faced the beast they are about to encounter.
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This is an intersting point another handicapper said he's the best 3 year old since Spectacular Bid which could be the point personally if either Lava Man or Bernardini win I will be happy!
Scat Daddy proved he could stretch out in distance and ran down favored Nobiz Like Shobiz to win the Grade 1, $400,000 Champagne Stakes by three-quarters of a length at Belmont Park. The CHAMPAGNE, the oldest stakes for 2 year olds in the country, derives its name from the English event, which is run at the Doncaster course. The CHAMPAGNE has often been a factor in the two year old championship.
Recent winners Foolish Pleasure (1974), Honest Pleasure (1975), Seattle Slew (1976), Spectacular Bid (1978), Lord Avie (1980), Devil's Bag (1983), Forty Niner (1987), and Easy Goer (1988) have been voted champion two-year-old. Braulio Baeza has won the CHAMPAGNE five times to lead all riders. He captured the race four straight years from 1964 to 1967, and also in 1975. Calumet Farm has won the CHAMPAGNE five times, more than any other owner. Their most recent victory came in 1977, with Alydar. The CHAMPAGNE was run at Jerome Park prior to l890; at Morris Park prior to 1905; at Aqueduct in 1959, from 1963 to 1967, and in 1984. Not run from 1910 to 1913, nor in 1956. Distance of six furlongs from 1871 to 1889; seven furlongs from 1891 to 1904; Widener Course (165 feet less than seven furlongs) from 1905 to 1932; six and one half furlongs (Widener Course) from 1933 to 1939; a mile from 1940 to 1983, and from 1985 to 1993; a mile and an eighth in 1984. In 1970, Hoist The Flag finished first, but was disqualified and placed last. In 1972, Secretariat finished first, but was disqualified and placed second. Run in two divisions in 1973.
I just thought I'd point out that today is the anniversary of Big Red's match race against Sir Barton! :) What an easy race for Red it was and his last! :)
It was October 12, 1920 when MOW ran his match race against Sir Barton. It was run at the same hour as the 7th game of the World Series was played in Cleveland, Ohio. Nation wide news coverage gave Mow`s race the greatest coverage ever seen for a sporting literally knocking the World Series off the news. Even in New York all daily papers showed full pages photos of MOW`s race and small articles about baseball. A New York team was in that World Series namely the Brooklyn Dodgers who lost that game and the Series. A full race film was made by Eadward Muybridge and it was shown on Broadway at an admission price of $1.00. Movies at the time only charged 10 cents for admission. MOW got movie goers to pay $1 or 10 times the usual price to see him race.
MOW was a National sports icon who transcended the sport in many areas of life.
Article: Bernardini, Lava Man Set for Classic Showdown
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Bernardini, Lava Man Set for Classic Showdown
Oct 8, 3:40 PM (ET)
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
NEW YORK (AP) -A duel at the Downs is set for next month's Breeders' Cup Classic - East Coast sensation Bernardini vs. West Coast star Lava Man.
Bernardini produced another overpowering victory in Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, a 6}-length romp that ran the 3-year-old colt's winning streak to six in a row.
About 20 minutes later at Santa Anita, Lava Man easily put away the competition for a 2-length victory in the $500,000 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap that ran the 5-year-old gelding's winning streak to seven in a row.
When the two horses meet in the $5 million Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4, Horse of the Year honors will be on the line.
"It's going to be fun leading up to the Breeders' Cup," Lava Man's jockey Corey Nakatani said. "We're ready for him."
They better be. If Bernardini's performance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup is an indication, Lava Man and any other horse from the United States or Europe will have to deliver an exceptional effort. And even that might not be enough to unnerve Bernardini, who has won with such authority he has yet to be challenged in the stretch.
"It's unbelievable how he gets better with every race," trainer Tom Albertrani said Sunday morning outside his barn at Belmont. "If he just comes and runs the same race as he has been doing, he may never have that situation."
Lava Man won't be the only challenger for Bernardini. Among others headed to the Classic are Invasor, winner of the Whitney Handicap who has eight wins in nine career starts, Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek and 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, who finished second and third, respectively, behind Lava Man in the Goodwood.
They keep winning Grade 1 stakes, but Bernardini and Lava Man couldn't be more different.
Bernardini is regally bred and owned by royalty - a son of A.P. Indy and owned by Dubai crown prince Sheik Mohammed's Darley Stable. The colt has won at five different race tracks.
Lava Man is a son of Slew City Slew, and was claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar in 2004 by Steve Kenly and his Phoenix-based partners. The gelding hasn't won outside California.
"We've got to prove to ourselves that he can win outside California," trainer Doug O'Neill said. "A lot of East Coast people are skeptical of horses that come from California."
Since a 5-length victory in the Preakness, the race that will always be remembered for Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's breakdown, Bernardini has blown away all comers.
First he dominated at Saratoga, winning the Jim Dandy by nine lengths and the Travers by 7½ lengths with little urging from jockey Javier Castellano.
In the Gold Cup, Bernardini took on older horses for the first time and didn't miss a beat. Wanderin Boy, who finished second, also finished second as the favorite behind Invasor in the Pimlico Special.
Nick Zito, who trains Wanderin Boy, was so taken with Bernardini that the Hall of Famer nearly joined the Belmont crowd of 16,959 in applauding.
"It's the first time I almost clapped for a horse that beat me," Zito said. "That was pretty cool."
Lava Man, meanwhile, has become a rags-to-riches story. He hasn't lost since the 2005 Japan Cup, when he finished 11th with foot problems. His seven-race winning streak began in January, when he won the Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita.
He swept the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic, the major races at Southern California's three tracks.
"This horse is just amazing," O'Neill said. "You don't think he's going to run any better, but it seems like he ran as good a race as he ever has."
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More than a dozen races were contested Saturday that helped set the stage for other Breeders' Cup races. Some highlights:
- Fleet Indian remained perfect in six starts this year with a head victory over Balletto in the Beldame at Belmont, and should be the favorite in the Distaff. Balletto will give it another go.
- Honey Ryder edged Film Maker by a nose in the Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont, with both likely to meet again in the Filly & Mare Turf. Wait a While, winner of last week's Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita, is the leader in the turf filly and mare division.
- The Mile took shape with Aragon winning the Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita to reaffirm his status as top turf miler. Aussie Rules took the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland, with top BC Mile contender Miesque's Approval third.
- The Sprint will feature Henny Hughes - 3-for-3 this year - as the likely favorite after his 2}-length win in the Vosburgh at Belmont. Bordonaro won the Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita, but the owners need to pay a supplemental fee of $180,000 to get into the Sprint. Kelly's Landing is headed to Louisville after winning the Phoenix Breeders' Cup at Keeneland.
- Great Hunter handed Circular Quay his first defeat in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, and both are headed to the Juvenile.
- English Channel won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, and should be among the favorites among a gaggle of European horses in the Turf.
How dull racing has become. Today Belmont Park is running both the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Vosburgh Hcp. Bernadini will run against two betting interests in the JCGP which has been shortened to 1 ¼ miles. The only 1 ½ mile race left in New York is the Belmont Stakes. Discreet Cat the one horse who can beat Bernidini has chosen not to run against him. Vosburgh S. (G1) is run at 6 fl now and Henny Hughes and Silver Train are entered.
Dr Fager won the Vosburgh twice at 7 fl. It was at Aqueduct on the main track! The Aqueduct winter track was not built until 1976 when Dr Fager was long gone from racing.
With each effortless stride Bernardini put out on the Belmont Park stretch, the crescendo of applause among the announced crowd of 16,959 in attendance on a comfortable autumn day grew. And as Bernardini crossed the finish line in hand in Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, the hearty Belmont faithful roared their approval and for another virtuoso performance from North America's best 3-year-old.
Bernardini deserves all of his credit, he is a wonderful 3 year old, I don't believe Discreet Cat can even touch him, how far has DC ran? I think it be wise to have DC in the Sprint against Henny Hughes. The only horse that i think can beat Bernardini, is Lava Man and that's only IF he makes a solid transition to Churchill, as we've he has shown us that he is only a two track horse.
Discreet Cat won a $2 Million purse at Na Al Sheba race track in UAE at 1/18 miles on March 25, 2006. In that race Discreet Cat beat Invasor a top American 4 yr old.
Thomas Albertrani was glad Invasor was scratched from the Gold Cup Saturday due to temperature. Albertrani said Bernidini would not be so stressed since he won`t have to run against a top 4 year old. He would save something for the Breeder’s Cup Classic by not going against Invasor. Since when do American 3 year old horses take on top 4 year olds at 1 1/8 miles in March! A top 4 year old is 5 to 7 lengths better than a top 3yr old in MARCH at 1 1/8 miles. I have never seen it in 40 years of watching racing. Discreet Cat ran as fast in March ( when 3 yr olds are 5 lengths slower!) as Bernadini does now. He ran a mile in 1:35 4/5 in UAE in March same as Bernadini did Saturday in the Gold Cup. Who knows who will win a race together but Discreet Cat would be the best opponent. He COULD beat Bernadini and only a race together can prove it.
But, can Discreet Cat keep his speed over anything longer then a mile and a sixteenth or eight? It may be smart to put him in the Mile or even the Sprint. How far was Invasor behind DC possibly because he too is a distance horse, I agree that DC is great at anything under a mile and a sixteenth but I'd have to see him run great at a classic distance and keep up his speed and stamina before I'd say he'd beat the likes of Bernadini or Lava Man going 1/1/4.
Bernardini is a classic horse, considering he wasn't even touched with a whip in the Jockey Gold Cup I have not doubt that Bernardini could run faster then his time was 2:01 the 10th fastest running of the JCGC. Considering he wasn't even touched with a whip I'm sure he has at least one more great gear we haven't seen yet! The race was practically a walk over for him, so its no telling how fast he could race a mile if he was really challenged. Ber was a late bloomer but he really has excelled in the Classics this fall. DC is a great miler no doubt but is he good going any father?
I won’t speculate on how fast Bernadini might run. That is just speculation. Discreet Cat beat Invasor by 8 lengths after going 4 wide around the turn and took a 6 length lead with two furlongs to go and he was coasting all of the last quarter mile. Discreet Cat was not pressed either and won by 6. Invasor was 4th. The fact remains that it was March when DC ran that time. It is a given that DC has grown 5 to 7 lengths faster by now as every 3 yr old matures from March to October.
Still everything is a statisic and therefore we can't really rate these horses agaist one another until, if, it ever happens. For now and ever I am definately behind Bernardini this horse is so amazing I dont think those entered against him in the Classic have a chance, best of luck to him in the Classic. And best to Discreet Cat in the Cigar Mile (I think they already opted for it over the Sprint..?..), if that is where he is headed.
Yah unless something goes horribly wrong with their forerunner Bernardini, he will run in the Cigar Mile, I still think DC should run in the Sprint. I mean Shadwell could probably run 1,2 easily!
Thanks, I miss him so much, I'm reading he and MOW's Biography right now, it amazes me how much they look alike both wonderful champions; both tie for the Best Horse of the Century in my Book!
I just wish Big Red #2 would have lived longer, he was truly amazing! :(
Does anyone know anything on the sweet, GORGEOUS black colt that won the Best Pal Stakes in August?? Principle Secret? Does anyone know when he'll run again? I've heard rumors about a East Coast Race but I don't know if their thinking about he Champange. He had a workout last week but I'd really like to see where this undefeated horse will go next!
By reading past posts it seems as if I live in the same state as you do Beth, I will not mention the name but I think I am correct. I am a new comer to this site and I think it is great. Man O War was as will Harbut would say, The Mostest Hoss.
Thanks for a great way to remember Man O War
MOW was The Mostest Hoss. Walter Vosburgh thought so. He was the New York State Handicapper who assigned weights to horses in Handicap races. He assigned a 15 pound spot to Colin as a two year old. Colin won twice at two while giving the place horse 15 pounds.
Sysonby as a two was assigned a 10 pound spot to the place horse and won. Vosburgh assigned MOW a 21 pound spot and MOW won giving the place horse 21 lbs. That is the most weight ever given the runner up in a race for twos. At three MOW gave the place horses 32, 30 18 etc. Secretariat never gave the place horse more than 8 pounds.
Thanks, He was and still is the Mostest Hoss. I wish that I was more aware of that fact when he was alive,I even wish my family would have taken more pictures of him and his offspring when we lived there. It was a good time in my life.
P.S. dont forget that the keenland races start soon, Wish I were going up to be there. The track has been done over and there is new stuff so you can follow your bet all around the track.
Bourbon County Bob
Keenland is the only track in the United States that Queen Elizabeth II of England likes to visit when she comes to America. Keenland offers all the finest amenities that she is used to in England. Keenland has a wonderful history and a great library for horse racing history. A great track!
I was born on the farm across the road from the Great Man O War. I was born may the 6th 1941. My sisters and I would go down to the barn from time to time to see will and Man O War. My grandfather owned timberland farm from about 1928 until 1949. Will would walk past our house almost every day to get his work at far away farm and Man O War. We were all good friends around huffman mill road and the maddux town area.
I love it that people still appreciate That Great horse. My cousin still owns part of the farm I was born on, Long live Man O War,s memory.
Bob Fister
Bourbon county bob
Thanks Carly, Yes I am from that area and still care about it very much. I was going to lexington in the rv next week but decided to go to the coast instead. I miss ky and try to get back at least twice a year when the races are going on at keenland race course. It was a magical time for me as i reflect on those times in fayette co ky. I moved to bourbon co in 1949 but still go back to that area where I was born and Man O War was at stud. It is a beautiful part of the country. Thanks for your post. I am glad that I found this web page.
Bourbon county Bob.
Hello Bob I am glad to meet a contemporary. I was born in 1941 as well and when I was all of 5 years old my dad brought me to Kentucky to meet MOW. I was awestruck by his presence. I was bothered by Mow`s one loss but Will Harbut answered “I didn’t see Mow lose that day. I wasn’t there so it must not have happened.” His love for MOW was shinning through his skin. All who saw MOW were exulted by him.
My father owned restaurants in Saratoga in the 1920`s and occasionally Riddle and the Jeffords would eat there. Riddles and the Jeffords shared the same home while they stayed in Saratoga. It was at 251 Union Avenue. The address was later changed to 125 Union Ave by the US Post Office. That home is still there today and it is a wonderful Victorian mansion built in 1873 and it was purchased by Mrs. Riddle. It is located right across the street from the Saratoga Race Track near the Union Avenue entrance to the track.
Glad to hear from you, as you probably saw in one postI was born on the farm across the road from Man O War. The house I was born in was about 25 feet from the road. My grandfathers home was way back down a gravel driveway across from dominos grave. WE go back from time to time to visit friends and some of my many cousins in the area. It is a great place to be. I remember when Man O War died, The road was lined with autos for miles. People were every where. My sisters went to the funeral for big red. My sister has some pictures from that day some where. One of my sisters went over to the padduck where Man O War was being was posing for A clay model of him. I have a picture of that time. The sculptor was nice to her and she went back several times to watch the sculpting. The sculptor was Herbert Haseltine I believe. Good hearing from you. By the way, will Harbuts son still lives in the little community near the old grave site, The last time I saw him was about 2 years ago. He is getting up in years.
Thanks, Bourbon County Bob
That is great first hand experience. MOW outdrew Presidents of the United States. As you mentioned roads lined with cars for miles to see MOW funeral service,it reminded me of how MOW in life drew large crowds of followers. August 23, 1919 always comes to mind. On that date at Saratoga MOW made his first start since losing the Sanford. No one expected a large turnout for the average daily attendance at the Spa was 3,000 to 5,000 a day for 55 years.
35,000 came to Saratoga that day to see MOW even it up with Upset. My father told me the traffic jam on Union Avenue was worse than at 5th Avenue in NYC at rush hours.
MOW broke all known attendance records that day and MOW continued to draw record breaking attendance crowds until the end of his career. In his last start MOW drew the largest crowd ever to race a race in Canada.
The largest crowd at Saratoga before MOW was in 1865. They held a six week meet to celebrate the end of the Civil War which ended 4 months earlier. The murder of President Lincoln propelled General Grant into the Nations` leading citizen. U S Grant attended the races at Saratoga in 1865 and he drew 10,000 people to the track. Grant could scarcely move without people swarming all over him. Saratoga never got anything near 10,000 people there again until MOW in 1919. MOW out drew Union Saver Grant!! And by more than triple the attendance attributed to U S Grant.
