The last time jockey Eric Prado saw Barbaro, the racehorse, it was through tears and a thick wall of emotion, fearing the precious thoroughbred was mortally injured. Today, though, he was all smiles with a big kiss for his big partner, visiting Barbaro for the first time since the colt broke his leg. Prado stopped by the horse's stall for a 10 minute visit. He's been credited with saving the colt's life by pulling him up quickly to avoid further injury.

"I definitely feel a lot better," said a smiling Prado. "I'm feeling heartbroken, but I'm feeling better. His progress is helping a lot, but he isn't out of the woods yet. We're just happy that he continues to do good."

Ten days after his awful breakdown in the Preakness, Barbaro is progressing so well even his surgeon is impressed, though he conceded the colt will have a "hitch in his
giddyup."

After initially saying the Kentucky Derby winner's chance for survival was a "coin-toss" -- 50-50 -- Dr. Dean Richardson was happy to amend it.

"I was going to call a news conference to say it's officially 51 percent," the surgeon said, smiling. "Seriously, every day that goes by is a big day."

Though upbeat, Richardson was quick to temper his enthusiasm, adding that there's still a long way to go before Barbaro can be discharged. And even with a full recovery, still many months away, the horse will be limited in what he can do.
"He won't be able to gallop, he won't be able to jump. He will have, at the very best, a hitch in his giddyup," Richardson said. "He will not be quite right, but there's lots and lots of horses that can walk, trot, canter, gallop, spin around and somewhat importantly, mount a mare ... all those things that you use your hind legs for," he added. "That's their hope, that he can do all those things. We are way, way away from that."

You can see photos of a special shoe custom made for Barbaro to try to prevent laminitis, an often fatal foot disease.

Keep up to date on Barbaro's progress here.

1 Comments

Shirley Villasana said:

I am glad to see Barbaro up even if he is limited with what he can and cannot do. You can see what love and admiration Eric has for this beautiful thoroughbred. I know Barbaro will come back because he has the love of Eric to see him through this time. Barbaro does have a long way to go but he has Eric and others who care for this fine horse.

May 30, 2006 11:11 PM

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