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AP Blog: Barbaro Gets Giant Get-Well Card
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TUESDAY, May 23:
  Messages from horse racing fans adorn one of the two oversized get well cards set up at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Wednesday, May 24, 2006. The race track will send the cards to the New Bolton, Pa., hospital where Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is recovering from surgery to mend injuries suffered in the Preakness Stakes. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) (Garry Jones - AP) The Triple Crown_____ Barbaro Watch _____ Barbaro is now up and walking and on the slow road to recovery. The chances for survival of Derby winner Barbaro have dropped below 50 percent, says his doctor July 11. Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is fighting for his life. _____ Belmont Stakes _____  Jazil wins the Belmont Stakes by a length over Bluegrass Cat. Jockey John Velazquez has made a quick recovery from a horrific fall at Keeneland. ABC Sports will devote a large chunk of its two hours of coverage to Barbaro. Preakness winner Bernardini will not run in the Belmont. _____ Preakness Stakes _____  Veterinary surgeon Dean Richardson is optimistic about Barbaro's recovery. Video: A veterinarian says Barbaro is doing well and resting. Barbaro suffers a life-threatening broken leg just 50 strides into the Preakness. Bernardini wins the Preakness. Beyer: A day that began full of optimism turns into thoroughbred racing's darkest moment since July 6, 1975. Photos: Scenes from Pimlico. _____ Kentucky Derby _____  Barbaro routs the field by 6 1/2 lengths to win the 132nd run for the roses. Andrew Beyer: Barbaro's speed and stamina are worthy of a Triple Crown. Photos: Barbaro sprints to victory. Save & Share |
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KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. _ Suddenly, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about Barbaro's future.
From the daily updates that say the Kentucky Derby winner is getting better to the never-ending deliveries of apples and roses, there are smiles everywhere at the New Bolton Center.
Hard to believe it was only Saturday night when Barbaro was rushed here after shattering bones in his leg in the Preakness, a risky surgery awaiting the colt.
Fast forward to Tuesday morning when Barbaro was on his feet in his stall, scratching his left ear with his left hind leg and looking happy and alert. Barbaro still has a long road of recovery ahead and it will be months before he's allowed to leave if his rehabilitation goes as well as expected.
Much like the fans who flocked to Philadelphia Park two years ago to catch a glimpse of Smarty Jones, Barbaro has built quite a following of admirers. It's strange how a horse that most fans have never seen in person or will ever get to know can make such a powerful impact on people.
But they come with their signs and flowers anyway, even snapping a few pictures of a makeshift tribute at the entrance to the center. The lobby overflowed with so many roses it would have made the Rose Garden jealous and there were more apples than at your local grocery store.
In fact, so many apples were sent to the hospital they had to be shared with other horses in the ICU _ lest indigestion be the latest malady to afflict Barbaro.
Owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson finally got to see their horse yesterday for the first time since he underwent surgery. Gretchen gave him some carrots and Roy fed him peppermints.
"He was very glad to have those," Roy Jackson said. "He seemed to be doing fine and was healthy. It was a great relief."
Trainer Michael Matz also paid a visit to Barbaro today and said the doctor told him he was "so pleased" with the progress and the colt adjusted as well as could be expected to standing in his stall instead of galloping around tracks like he was only a week ago.