September 6 - 12, 2006 UPENN BARBARO's RECOVERY REVIEW

"BARBARO A CHAMPION FOR ALL TRIBUTE"

Photo by Sabina Pierce UPENN August 11, 2006

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UPDATE: EARLY EVENING SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

Barbaro improving slowly and steadily
September 12, 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is improving slowly and steadily according to veterinarians at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital . “We are pleased with his progress,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “He is wearing the cast on his right hind limb well; we continue to monitor it closely, and we expect to change the cast and radiograph the leg within the next seven to 10 days.” In addition, Barbaro continues to stand comfortably on his laminitic left hind foot. “The left hind foot is progressing well, especially as it grows down from the coronary band,” said Dr. Richardson. “However, we remain cautious, because Barbaro will still need several more months of healing before we’ll know how well the overall hoof structure can be restored.” Barbaro continues to be hand-grazed daily, and his vital signs and appetite are excellent. 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 19 unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.For more information on Barbaro, please see www.vet.upenn.edu.

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UPDATE Sunday September 10, 2006:

Barbaro continues to do well in his recovery with bright spirits and Peter giving Alex latest report. AND, Foggy (Lost In The Fog), had a surprise visit from Wendy,one of our Michigan Barbaromaniacs: Here's the report from Tim Woolley's Forum:

WendyinMI (wendrew)
10:02 am To: ALL

"It must have been the full moon earlier in the week but somehow I managed to get a visit with Lost In The Fog yesterday!

I had been able to contact Greg Gilchrist and he agreed to let me see LITF after the races yesterday at Golden Gate Field. I think he took pity on me because I traveled so far J. So here is how the visit went:

I walked back to Greg’s barn and met him in his office. I introduced myself and we chatted for a short while. I had printed off the posts from yesterday morning so he could get an understanding of the website and what people have been posting. He pointed to the wall behind me and said, “Look! This is what I have received just today! There’s so much that I have been sharing it with others.” Then he said, “C’mon, let’s go see the guy.”

We went back to his stall. Fog was having his temperature taken when we walked in. Fog had a nice normal temperature. We went into the stall and Greg checked for a pulse by his hooves. There wasn’t one and his feet were cold (good signs). I got to give him a pat and thought Fog looked tired. Then we opened the treat jar we brought with us. He perked up immediately with the sound and turned his head to say, “I’M SOOOOOOOO CCCCCCCCUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTEEEEEE AND WOOOOORRRRRRRRRTTTTHHHHHY OF A TRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTT!” It was funny! I got to give him a bunch of treats. WAY MORE than I would give my own horse but Greg kept piling them into my hands. Fog was waiting for his meal and I asked if they had changed his diet any. His assistant told me they feed him the same stuff but less of it in a serving and more servings throughout the day. His appetite hasn’t changed. The visit was short and sweet.

We went back to the office and chatted a little while longer. Greg then abruptly says, “C’mon Wendy, I’ve got a horse you have to see”. We went back into the barn and he showed me Frisco Star. Frisco Star is a HUGE 3 yr old. Just massive in his build. Very muscular, solid build, magnificent. He looked to me like some of the warmbloods that compete in the hunter/jumper world. Frisco came from the same place as Fog. Greg is very keen about this horse and I could see why. He is outstanding. We must start keeping tabs on his racing too!!

We left the barn saying my thank you and goodbyes. I handed him my card and mentioned that if he ever needed a ruling on the golf course to just call me. He said he threw his clubs into a lake last month J and we both laughed. It was a very nice visit and I’m grateful that I was giving the opportunity.

Wendy

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UPDATE Saturday & Sunday September 9 & 10, 2006

Prayer vigil reminder continues through Sunday evening and into Monday for all our great champions Barbaro, Foggy, Lost In The Woods, Bluegrass Cat, and now Simply Because who did survive and is in a Southern California equine hospital recovering from serious leg injuries which we hope and pray she recovers. AND GREAT NEWS:

**BARBARO FANS CAN NOW WRITE FOGGY EMAILS to UC DAVIS where he is receiving the next 6 weeks of CHEMO:
"The kind folks at UC Davis have created an email address for those who want to send their best wishes to the veterinary team that is dedicating themselves to helping the Fog.
The address and accompanying message come from their website:
Send an e-mail message to us about Lost in the Fog: fogfans@ucdavis.edu Although we cannot reply to every message, please know that your thoughts and concerns reach each and every member of Lost in the Fog's veterinary medical team." (Barbaromaniac fan)

Wednesday afternoon, September 6 @ 4:30 pm with reminder for tonight's prayer vigil and latest Barbaro Afternoon Walk update...

ALEX's UPDATE on BARBARO JUST IN: Peter Brette, for first time, got chance late this afternoon to walk Barbaro for 20 minutes or so without any problems and definitely enjoyed his first outing with THE BIG GUY!!! Glad to see others close to Barbaro are now helping out with his daily walks. Barbaro continues to be in very good spirits...

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UPDATE on BLUERGRASS CAT: September 6, 2006

REQUESTS ON LATEST INFO CONCERNING BLUEGRASS CAT's LEG FRACTURE:

From TIM WOOLLEY's FORUM: Presently little is known other than what appears below:

"From what I understand, it's a 'non-displaced' fracture, which basically means the bone is cracked but still straight & together. Sometimes with rest these will heal on their own. I think they were going to get some medical opinions and I guess they felt like surgery wasn't necessary. Of course he could not race with it & they'll keep him quiet while it heals."

Barbaro's first days outside are now up to half hour daily walks with Dr. Richardson and/or Michael Matz during late afternoons in sunny weather.
**PRAYER VIGILS BARBARO, LOST IN THE FOG, AND BLUE GRASS CAT WILL CONTINUE FOR WEDNESDAY EVENING September 6th and this coming Saturday September 9th at 7 pm EST. Next Barbaro health update is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2006 unless there is a unexpected change in his condition.

Team Barbaro studies one of Barbaro's leg radiographs prior to new cast change - now a total of 7 casts done on right hind leg that suffered 3 main fractures and shattering of pastern long bone, past May 20,2006 during Preakness at Pimlico (2d leg in Triple Crown Horse Races).

UPDATED Thursday, September 7, 2006

A VERY SPECIAL TRIBUTE LIVE ACTION VIDEO WAS JUST CREATED BY JEAN TITLED: Barbaro A Champion For All ***(TO SEE: CLICK ON BLUE TITLE)

NOTE: Your will need to download Quicktime if you do not already have it.

**BELOW FROM JEAN: WHY she made the video (VIEWED IN QUICKTIME). IT IS VERY GOOD!! Jean plans on possibly creating a separate second video for the next edition part. Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful creation.

"ABOVE is my video tribute to "Barbaro: A Champion For All." Through Triumph and Tragedy, Barbaro shows a will and determination to win! And, this is the toughest race of his life - WE BELIEVE!" (GROW HOOF GROW)!!!"

EVERYONE ENJOY!

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UPENN UPDATE ON BARBARO September 5, 2006

New Bolton's release: Barbaro continues to do well:Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to please veterinarians with his progress after his most recent right hind leg cast change last week. "Barbaro is wearing the new cast satisfactorily," said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. "We continue to monitor him closely, and depending on how he progresses, we may change it again within the next two weeks."
The colt's left hind foot, which has laminitis, continues to improve gradually, according to Dr. Richardson. The bandage on this foot is changed daily.
"Barbaro's appetite is great, and we take him out each day to hand graze him," said Dr. Richardson. "His vital signs remain normal, and he seems very happy."
Barbaro is 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.

Photo by Sabina Pierce UPENN

Barbaro out hand-grazing on a shank August 23, 2006. He continues to improve and yesterday, Dr. Anderson visited him inside his stall area. It was warm according to Alex Brown of Tim Woolley Racing and his eyes were very bright and he acted extremely alert -- all good signs. He continues to be serious but stable in condition. His new cast change as of August 27, 2006 is still in excellent shape with no complications as his left hind hoof/foot continues to grow slowly. ICU nurses continue to change his dressings daily after Dr. Richardson or another qualified doctor examines the wound area and surrounding tissues.

TRIBUTE TO KEEP LOST IN THE FOG IN OUR THOUGHTS AS HE FACES CHEMO

LOST IN THE FOG WINS KINGS BISHOP RACE & BECAME BEST SPRINTER 2005

UPDATE FOR FOGGY RECEIVED
DEL MAR FAN FORUM FOR FOGGY describes visit with Lost In The Fog at Golden Gate Fields. Sept 3rd by Forum member "apad".

Yesterday, I made a last minute decision to visit the greatest sprinter of the decade. The one and only Lost in the Fog. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see Fog since he was diagnosed with cancer a couple of weeks ago. There were mixed emotions. Should I visit him in his poor condition or should I stay home and remember him as the robust power horse that dominated America's sprint division in '06. The decision was easy. The six and a half hour trek from So Cal to Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley Ca. didn't begin well. I was stuck in traffic for the first hour of the drive and had numerous thoughts of turning back. I hate traffic almost as much as having a few bucks riding on Corey Nakatani. It was 103 degrees when I began my journey from Chino Hills and I arrived to very breezy 55 degree weather. Shorts and t-shirt wasn't such a good idea after all.

A few chirps outside of stall #6 at Greg Gilchrist's barn was all it took for the huge white blaze to peak out of his stall. It was quite obvious that 'Fog had lost a considerable amount of weight and the results from his recent incisions at UC Davis looked like they could very well been war scars from some of his 14 courageous battles on America's most competitive courses.

His feistiness and determination for bite your head off was something to be admired. He's given special feed which is intended for "senior" horses. I'm sure its got added nutrients. Whatever it is, he's eating up like Augustus Gloop in a chocolate factory. I gave him a few pats of his forehead and told him he's got a legion of fans pulling for him.

It was special moment with an incredibly courageous thoroughbred that ran his heart out for two years despite an enormous disadvantage. I've never met a horse this special..