Kentucky Derby (G1) winner BARBARO (Dynaformer) is progressing nicely, has
normal vital signs, and is in excellent condition as of 3 p.m. (EDT) on
Thursday, according to Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the George D.
Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary
Medicine’s New Bolton Center.
Barbaro remains in intensive care as he recovers from the life-threatening
leg injuries he sustained during the early running of Saturday’s Preakness S.
(G1).
Richardson, who cautions that the three-year-old colt faces a long
recuperation process, performed major orthopedic surgery on Sunday to repair the
colt’s dislocated fetlock joint and fractures to the cannon bone, long pastern, and sesamoid.
In related news:
HorseRacing TV (HRTV) will air a daily update on the condition of Barbaro at 3:30
p.m. (EDT).
“Like the rest of the racing world, the HRTV group is very concerned about
Barbaro,” HRTV Executive Producer Amy J. Zimmerman said. “All signs of recovery
are positive at this point, and we are optimistic that they will continue to be,
but we know our viewers are sophisticated enough to realize that Barbaro still
has a very long road ahead of him.
“His condition has the potential to change on a daily basis. We view telling
our audience that we have nothing new to report on Barbaro’s condition as very
good news. We are looking forward to the day when we are able to report that
‘today is the day that Barbaro gets to leave the New Bolton Center and go home
to a happy life.'”
Well-wishers can send an e-mail to Barbaro at
www.vet.upenn.edu/barbaro.