The racing gods are crazy, Barbaro pulls up lame in the Preakness
The 2006 Preakness Stakes was a disaster. A black cloud now looms over the sport of horse racing. What was supposed to be the cocktail hour before the big dance, turned into a heart wrenching tear jerker.
I was unfortunate enough to be at Suffolk Downs for the big day. My group opted to watch the race outside the clubhouse to avoid the crowd, and when Barbaro broke through the gate early the place erupted. Inside I wanted to run to the window and scream give me my money back!
After Barbaro was given the okay by the vet and jockey Edgar Prado, we were all set for what was to become part of history. As the gates opened, I said “Good he got a clean break”, and as I finished that sentenced Tom Durkin declared that Barbaro was being pulled up. At first I thought he was just rank, but that wasn’t the case, he had multiple fractures in his right hind leg.
The rest of the race was just a blur. My eyes were on the screen but my brain absorbed none of it. I couldn’t believed what had just happened. It wasn’t until I got home that I was able to see the replay on ESPN of Barbaro trying to run on three legs. It was like watching a Olympic runner blow a hammy in his only chance at a gold medal.
As I am writing this, Barbaro is in surgery to try to save his life. Racing is no longer an option. The TVG network has been on damage control for the last 17 hours. They’ve had interviews from various people who were at the track and vets calling in to explain what happened, and what is being done to save what many thought was the next Triple Crown champion.
So now the clock resets, and we all must wait a very long year again, to see if we can have a Triple Crown champion.
kathi said
am May 23 2006 @ 3:42 pm
that was plain crazy and to think 6 hours of surgey, fixed up with 36 pins. limited mobility for him is going to drive him nuts
Dawn Bialkoski said
am June 2 2006 @ 2:40 am
I was in Hawaii @ the time of the Preakness and woke to here on the radio, that the beautiful horse who I thought for certain would win the Triple Crown had broke down and shattered his leg…I cried for the memories of Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure came pooring back to me as a small child from that match race. I thank God he servived and his fate didnt end as Ruffians did….Good luck Barbaro and I hope you go on to sire many champion fillies and colts…..Dawn/Shaianne Arabians
Casey said
am June 14 2006 @ 8:08 am
It was SOOO sad!!!!! i know i cant believe it…. its hard to have a really good time at a party and then remember that babaro was in surgury in a life and death situation!!
Allie said
am March 4 2007 @ 3:00 pm
I love barbaro he gave me a dream i used to be the one everybody hated i made no attempt to try i loved horses though and when i saw what happened to barbaro and how hard he was trying even though he was in so much pain i began to try and i started visiting barbaro as much as I could and i would bring him carrots and pet him and give him a kiss i would always be in juvie and it has been 5 months and i havnt been there and the cop called me and told me how prowd he was of me i really thank Barbaro he is my hero even if he is a horse.