AUG 29 - 25, 2006 BARBAROMANIACS's SURPRISE DELIGHTS ENTIRE NBC's TEAM BARBARO (photo courtesy Alex, www.timwoolleyracing.com)

UPDATE 2: MORNING August 29, 2006: From UPENN VETS

Barbaro has cast change
August 28, 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA —Veterinarians at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital changed the right hind leg cast of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro yesterday, Sunday, August 27. “The cast was changed because there was a small crack in it,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “Based on new radiographs that were taken, the leg looked excellent under the cast. The pastern joint looks completely fused, and there is only a small area in the long pastern bone that has a little farther to go before we take him out of the cast completely.” In addition, the radiographs showed that there were no signs of infection. The cast change took place under general anesthesia, and Barbaro had another successful pool recovery before returning to his stall.
The colt’s left hind foot has laminitis, but Barbaro seems comfortable with that foot as well. The bandage on the left hind foot continues to be changed daily. According to Dr. Richardson: “Barbaro is bright and happy this morning with an excellent appetite.” Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered at the Preakness on May 20.The next update will be posted on Tuesday, September 5 unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.

UPDATE 1 MORNING August 29, 2006: From Alex

"Update 556: Spoke to Michael Matz this morning, he said that Dr. Richardson reported Barbaro had an ok night last night (monday night). I got the update from Michael as I was coming off the woodchip track from my second set. said tuesday 7:20am
Update 555: I think we knew this, but a quick reminder Fog to have new exam on thursday of this week, excerpt:Lost in the Fog will be examined Thursday by veterinarians from the University of California-Davis to determine if the three cancerous tumors discovered two weeks ago have shrunk. Lost in the Fog has been treated with the steroid dexamethasone since last week.

UPDATE MORNING Aug 28, 2006: Better get ready for another surprise coming up on August 30, 2006. Details must be kept under cover for now but there is something exciting brewing amongst the BARBARO NATION AKA BARBAROMANIACS affiliated with TIM WOOLLEY's and USA TEAM BARBARO www.timwoolleyracing.com and www.campaigningforbarbaro.com

ALEX's UPDATE August 27, 2006: Update 546: Just spoke to Peter Brette, who was driving up to Monmouth when I called. The cast change has been completed and Dr. Richardson was happy with what he saw. I don't have any other details, but thought that was good enough for me for now!

UPDATE from August 25, 2006 Dr. Sweeney's Surprise Visit to NBC:

Dr. Sweeney kept things very low key as she, Kenneth Florist, and Barbaromaniacs decided to 'SURPRISE Dr. Dean Richardson' 5 days early for his birthday truly August 30, 2006. On Friday August 25, 2006 Dr. Sweeney "called him to his office" and there was not just a birthday cake but a huge check of $3,851.00 for "The Barbaro Fund -- signed by none other than the Babaromaniacs (group sited at Tim Woolley Racing). Reports say Dr. Richardson "was touched" and moved by not just this generous gift but gift certificates to some nice restaurants by Kenneth Florist who bring New Bolton Center staff special goodies for them and Barbaro.
The Barbaro Fund, originally set up by a very generous anonymous donator, is being used
to improve New Bolton Center's veterinary services and medical equipment in need of upgrade.
The donated gifts will greatly help all animals like Barbaro and "countless others in their time of need." More about this fine fund set up honoring Barbaro can be viewed at UPENN VET's ALUMNI GIVING. But there is more giving around the corner.

UPDATE FROM WWW.CAMPAIGNINGFORBARBARO.COM
Barbaro's Wisconsin Ambassadors received a surprise $100.00 ticket prize today that they are donating to The Barbaro Fund. Excerpt: "I had an employee (from our advertising agency) that was leaving to become a screenwiter (his dream). So we took him out to bid him fairwell and goodluck...and wished him much success. As we were having dinner, one of the employees bought a couple of those scratch off tickets and 'CAN YOU BELIEVE, THE TICKET HAD A $100.00 PRIZE?' The winner is our USA TEAM BARBARO captain and said, "Let's give it to The Barbaro Fund" -- Debra Lopez.

On August 25, 2006 Barbaro's New Hampshire Ambassadors received a special matching gift donation from President Dennis Hampt of Springtime Inc. to help them send another month's supply of Horse Spirulina & Joint Health Care Nutritonals to Barbaro -- Cle Shaw.

An even more delightful news was sent by Mike Rea who wrote a very special letter to the Inspirational Champion. He and Barbaro will both have long recoveries together and both will look forward to when these two friends can visit each other. Below is the wonderfully touching words Mike composed himself just for Barbaro to express his heartfelt thanks as well as his sister's.

UPDATE II Aug 27, 2006:

Saturday, August 26, 2006

We're Back!
The past few days have been absolutely full of miracles and surprises! The biggest news of all is that Mike was released from Kernan yesterday afternoon and has been transferred to SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation Center located only minutes from his home and Fair Hill Training Center! We found out only several hours before the move took place. Apparently Kernan had been working towards this for some time but did not want the family to get their hopes up in case it didn't happen. Of course, as we have learned, once the "yes" comes in, everything happens very quickly. Although I was not there, I understand that there were a lot of tearful goodbyes between Mike and his nurses and therapists. I was on the phone with Cathy and Mom during the ride to SunBridge and it was your typical 5:00 stop and go backed up traffic for hours. We all were so concerned for Mike who was in a transport vehicle in a wheelchair and not really sure of what was happening. Still, after a three hour trip that should have taken an hour, Mike, Mom and Cathy arrived safely. Rochelle and the children were there to greet them and you can imagine how exciting and hectic this transition was. Just like transferring from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma to Kernan was for all of us, this will take a few days to get used to. New nurses, new therapists, new motels, new routines. Yes, change is good, but change is difficult!

UPDATE Aug 27, 2006: Mike continues his brain injury rehabilitation at SubBridge Care Rehabilitation Center within minutes of Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. As of August 26, 2006 his family reports his recovery advances each week by more miraculous news with answers to prayers -- Mike Rea family. It will be a long year ahead for him and Barbaro in their recoveries. Our wish is that both will be reunited as Mike is clearly part of Fair Hill Training Center's family. Another prayer vigil was held Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 7 pm EST.
Virtual 48 hour candles can still be lit at www.gratefulness.org/candles. Just click on the link provided. Please continue praying Sunday, August 27, 2006 for Barbaro, Lost In the Fog, Mike Rea, and also special condolence prayers for 3 great race horses who died at Arlington Park this week bringing the total now to 27 fatalities for that racetrack. Pray for families and owners of Gringa Hug, Our Momento, and Big Attlet. Visit the special memory page at www.campaigningforbarbaro.com.

(photo by Sabina Pierce University Of Pennsylvania, Barbaro greets staff on their morning rounds visiting the ICU)

Excerpt from Mike Rea's sister Cathy to Tim Woolley's chat room:
Dear Barbaro, August 23, 2006
"Thank you for being a super star and thinking of me. People write on your website and talk to me. There is no other way they would have talked to me because they talk to you first. Your trainer and owners are so famous and that way I get mentioned on an equal basis as you do. I feel like there is no other way those people would have considered me in their thoughts if they hadn't considered you first. It is very touching that I am considered by the same caliber of people who considered you. I feel priviledged because of this. I just want the story to show people what my life is about and how much my family loves me and how much I love them. Thank you Barbaro so much. My prayers and dreams are with you."
Mike Rea
"As you can tell, I didn't edit any of his words. Mike is so overwhelmed and everyone caring so much about him. Again my thanks to everyone for helping my brother with his recovery."
Cathy Rea Bosley
UPDATE August 23, 2006. www.mikerea.blogspot.com

UPDATE Aug 27, 2006: Where family is concerned, Michael Matz is right there visiting Barbaro daily and has started taking afternoon brief walks with him. It is great news to see them both outside together again enjoying each other's company. Special Thanks to Dr. Richardson for helping make it happen.

But it looks like there is more Great News in the air. BloodHorse.com announced that the "National Turf Writers will honor "Team Barbaro" with special "Mr. Fitz Award during their 47th annual NTWA Awards Dinner November 1, 2006 at the Olmstead in Louisville, Kentucky. Named for the late Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jim (Sunny Jim) Fitzsimmons, this award is given to those who exemply Horseracing's spirit. The "Team Barbaro" group will include Barbaro himself, owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, trainer Michael Matz, assistant trainer and exercise rider Peter Brette, and jockey Edgar Prado. But it does not end there.
Dr. Dean Richardson and the New Bolton Center will also receive the Joe Palmer Award for their meritorious service to horseracing. It is in honor of former New York Herald Tribune Turf writer for horseracing news. Bloodhorse also highlights Dr. Richardson's internationally acclaimed orthopedic surgeries and research focusing on cartilage repairs. http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=35034 courtesy Alex @
www.timwoolleyracing.com August 26, 2006

(Sabina Pierce's photos of Barbaro's continuing recovery updates)

UPDATE Aug 28, 2006: More on Barbaro's Cast Change. Dr. Richardson likes what he sees underneath for right pastern leg healing.

UPDATE AUG 27, 2006: From the Baltimore Sun Newsdesk by Sandra McKee who interviewed Dr. Richardson by telephone late Thursday afternoon. He continues to be in a very happy tone discussing the fact that Barbaro's recovery time at New Bolton Center would be at least 6 months to possibly a year. "We're in no hurry. As long as he is happy there is no rush and it could be up to a year - or with setbacks it could be longer. It's very different from horse to horse, and we're not going to know until we give it time. No one is setting an arbitrary growth rate. We're just letting him heal as fast or as slow as he can."

When asked on the possibility for a prosthetic hoof, Dr. Richardson replied, "Sometimes hooves are rebuilt but there is no such thing that will work for Barbaro. To rebuild one there has to be something to build onto. Since over 90 % of his hoof wall was removed, what people don't understand is that means all that really remains is soft tissue and a bone. However, his hoof has grown about 1 centimeter since the its wall was removed July 12, 2006. And, his right leg would have been out of its cast by now if it weren't for his laminitis in the left foot."

He mentioned that left footdressing changes and treatments are done daily, and he plans to keep the right leg casted for at least several more weeks before deciding a new cast goes on or remove and keep it off entirely.

Presently, "his right leg isn't healed to where I feel absolutely comfortable having him out of the cast, because he needs to protect his left foot. Normally, he'd use the left foot to protect his right. But in this case, he has to use the right to protect the left. So, we're giving him more time in the cast to manage him safely."

As mentioned earlier on CBS Early Morning Show by Dr. Turner, his pain medication "amounts to a couple of aspirin a day" in human terms, and is able to graze safely outdoors watching cows and bicyclists go by for about half-an-hour.

Dr. Richardson explained, "I don't want people to think that it is because he's going outside that he has been doing better. It's because he was doing better (first) that he has been allowed to go outside. He had reached a point where it was easy for him to walk around. He's gaining weight, happy, and walking on both feet. But his mental attitude is better, which you'd expect, and his strength is a little better because he's getting some exercise - just like a human patient would improve by being able to get out of his hospital bed and walk around."

Design and written/edited by Cle Shaw

This is just one of several large wall poster gift cards donated by Kentucky Derby Churhill Downs fans and well-wishers of Barbaro. It can be seen hanging at New Bolton Center.

UPDATE FROM MSNBC.COM:
John Pricci has a very nice commentary on Barbaro and company. Barbaro continues to be "everyone's favorite sentimental choice" according to Todd Pletcher, trainer for Bluegrass Cat who is a top contender against Tom Albertrani's Bernadini in today's Travers 137th Mid-Summer Derby. Pricci stated, "In essence, Barbaro is so much more. He is a horse who continues to demonstrate what it means to be a thoroughbred. Intelligent and strong, showing a will to live beyond anything we've seen in four decades of watching horses do what they were bred to do."

"Barbaro's struggle for survival has provided inspiration for Internet poets and his daily regimen has been chronicled nightly on network broadcasts whenever newsworthy developments arose. His story reached out and touched even more people than the remarkable Afleet Alex did a few years ago. The racing business may be trending downward but a nation has shown it cares about what happens to Barbaro. It is for that reason he will get my vote for Horse Of The Year 2006, an honor he is unlikely to win no matter how his story ends."

Barbaro even touches the heart of Delco Times Editor, Phil Heron. He refers to the Belmont Stakes back on June 5, 2006 but carries the genuine sentiment for our Kentucky Derby winner even today. "The eyes of the horseracing world will zero in this Saturday. Not mine. I've seen enough. I hope Barbaro continues his his miraculous recovery. I will continue to wonder how these marvelous animals can perform these tasks on legs that would make a ballerina envious."

"They will bestow flowers and a trophy to the winner of the Belmont. But not our hearts. We've already given them away to the pride of West Grove and Delaware Park, and Fair Hill, and New Bolton Center." (Courtesy Tim Woolley's) PHIL HERON DELCOTIMES