Triple Crown hopeful Barbaro loses... Seriously injured during race

http://www.preakness.com/ ^

[HairOfTheDog]

Post Position	Silks	Horse Name	Trainer	Jockey	Morning Line
1	(NA)	LIKE NOW (Picture NA)	Kiaran McLaughlin	Garrett Gomez	19-1
2		PLATINUM COUPLE	Joseph Lostritto	Jose Espinoza	28-1
3		HEMINGWAY'S KEY	Nick Zito	Jeremy Rose	30-1
4		GREELEY'S LEGACY	George Weaver	Richard Migliore	38-1
5		BROTHER DEREK	Dan Hendricks	Alex Solis	7-2
6		BARBARO	Michael Matz	Edgar Prado	1-2
7		SWEETNORTHERNSAINT	Michael Trombetta	Kent Desormeaux	6-1
8		BERNARDINI	Thomas Albertrani	Javier Castellano	17-1
9		DIABOLICAL	Steve Klesaris	Ramon Dominguez	24-1

[slane]

It will take a miracle for this horse to survive. The jockey was crying - he knew how serious it is. Apart from the severity of the injury, horses cannot just walk around on crutches until a break heals. There is a lot more involved than simply operating successfully. If the owners have any compassion for the horse, they will put him down.I have seen horses with injuries like this before whose owners try to save them - they go through months of hell and end up having to be put down at the end anyway.

[Lemondropkid31]

It had to have been out of the gate, because he looked great warming up. They usually do have a vet at the starting gate, but I didn't see one looking at him either.

[HairOfTheDog]

It may or may not be related to the early gate incident. The link isn't obvious.

[Lemondropkid31]

How are they going to improve safety from the hrose breaking down? They would have to breed throroughbreds with Clydesdales to get stronger legs. It is not even usual for a race horse to break a hind leg. Usually its a front leg, and the front left at that.

[onyx]

If the owners have any compassion for the horse, they will put him down.

Oh shut up.

The horse is on his way to the New Bolton Center to be examined by PROFESSIONALS.

[Canedawg]

Either way, it just wasnt his day.

I have that pit in my stomach.

[Lemondropkid31]

Yea. Gary Stevens didn't see a link. He could have just took a bad step, or hit a patch of soft ground and slipped. You notice how he kinda pulled toward the outside all the sudden? He could have slipped.

[skaterboy]

ESPN saying it doesnt look good..hopefully they can save him..send up a prayer

[evad]

8-3-1 for trifecta.

You didn't even think he would come in 3rd in a 9 horse race?

hmmm....vellie interesting.

[Wolfstar]

The link isn't obvious.

It is to me, no matter what they say to try to spin it otherwise. The close ups of him coming out of the gate at the start of the race seem to show that he was already tender in that leg. It doesn't matter though. The starting gate vet should still have checked him over and didn't.

[Rhiannon]

I saw the same and knew it was broken before they took him to the stable.

[Wolfstar]

They usually do have a vet at the starting gate, but I didn't see one looking at him either.

I don't think the starting gate vet did look at him. Or if he did, it was a very cursory look.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Born to run. I find few things in nature more beautiful than an unsaddled horse in full stride.

[Abigail Adams]

Does anyone know the average career length for one of these horses?

[slane]

I have owned horses and ridden all my life and I am a realist. This makes me as sad as anyone else, but a fact is a fact. I stand by my statement. All the professionals in the world can't save a horse with two major fractures in his lower leg. I would be thrilled to be wrong but I don't see it happening.

[prisoner6]

I had just arrived at work and had to do some wtuff before I could settle in to watch the race. didn't have a chance to log onot the thread.

Just as I sat down to watch and log on Barbaro broke through the gate...I told the guys with me that was a real bad omen. Then the start of the race and Barbaro broke his ankle.

I am positively heartsick. I doubt they'll be able to save him.

The longest streatch without a triple crown winner continues...sadly for us...tragically for Barbaro.

prisoner6

[gov_bean_ counter]

Just about any other horse in the field would have been scratched after the first break out.

[Gondring]

The Sheikh couldn't be here today, he's out buying another country.

I'm surprised we're not hearing FReepers claim that he spiked Barbaro!

[Wolfstar]

How are they going to improve safety from the hrose breaking down?

Modern technology can do many things. At least you would think all the rich folks connected with horse racing would pitch in do fund research on safer track materials, better cushioning material in racetracks, and so on. They don't even try. That's my problem with them.

As for injuries to the hind legs, they do happen more than you may be aware of, but it's true that the front legs are more likely to be injured.

[Wolfstar]

Just about any other horse in the field would have been scratched after the first break out.

Yes, I agree with you. That's common practice.