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AP Blog: Barbaro Gets Giant Get-Well Card
Hopefully, Barbaro can again cross the finish line of rehab like a champion.
_AP sportswriter Dan Gelston
  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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SATURDAY, May 20:
BALTIMORE _ It's the side of racing no one likes to see, but it happens. A breakdown. A magnificent thoroughbred, a Kentucky Derby winner no less, takes a bad step, breaks bones in a leg, and there's nothing to do but look on in horror.
It happened to Barbaro at Saturday's Preakness Stakes, on a cool, sunny day at Pimlico.
Barbaro, undefeated in his first six races, was being touted as racing's newest hero and a threat to become the first Triple Crown winner in 28 years. Winning the Preakness was a given, with the Belmont Stakes three weeks later set to be coronation of a champion.
It won't happen. About 12 seconds into the race, Barbaro fractured bones above and below his right rear ankle. It was painful to watch. Many sports writers, not to mention the crowd of 114,00 plus moaned, groaned and screamed. Some turned away. Others had tears in their eyes.
Trainer Michael Matz bolted from the stands to get to his horse. So did assistant trainer Peter Brette and onwer Gretchen Jackson. Edgar Prado did everything he could to stop Barbaro from running on three legs .... He did a great job, too. Finally, the equine ambulance showed up, even as Bernardini was winning the race and the rest of the field was running past the stricken Barbaro.
As the colt was being taken off the track, he could be seen standing in the ambulance, and hundreds of fans ran to the rail and began applauding, as if their cheering would make everything OK.
This was supposed to be a glorious day, one that would giving racing fans hope that a hero of a horse had arrived.
Instead, people are praying for Barbaro's survival.