Barbaro Press Conference is Tomorrow at 11am
 

I said there would be news today, but the press conference will be tomorrow morning at 11am.

WIthout betraying a trust, can you at least hint if we should brace ourselves?

I have no idea. I just got an e-mail that said there would be a press conference tomorrow and that Klepto Cat worked on Monday.

doesn't sound good. Vet cancelled two NATIONAL TV appearances, and communication with the press has been shut down until the press conference tomorrow morning.

hope I'm wrong

Yeah, I don't feel good about this at all. Not one bit. When I think about it, I get am empty feeling in my stomach.

heard an interview on HRTV today and it appears that the bad leg isn't even the problem right now, but an infection in the "good" leg.

cross our fingers.

That was always my fear, a horse just is at a huge risk when they cannot distribute their weight evenly, add the stress of the injury and this poor horse was ripe for this problem. Laminitis is extremely hard to cure with 3 good legs, I hope I'm wrong. I was kind of surprised when I had read his post-op diet, they mentioned they were still giving him grain and Alfalfa hay, normally those are immediately taken away for fear of causing laminitis, especially to a stall bound horse. I just figure that these Dr.'s are the best in the country and know the risks involved.

I don't think we should be the prophets of doom though, it could be a pregress report just as easily.

for those of you that listen to ATRAB--am I the only one who felt it was TOTALLY innappropriate for JJ to speculate that Barbaro has already been put down?!? I could not believe he said that--

Did he say that? Oh no. I always feared laminitis more than anything else. I think that given enough time that horse could survive the leg that was repaired. But laminitis is a hard thing to deal with, I guess all we can do is hope for a miracle.

He did indeed...regardless of whether or not he's right I just think it's callous to speculate on a national radio show about the death of such a beloved animal...Having dealt with laminitis first hand I can assure you it is very hard and seldom has the outcome one hope's for...

Lets stop all the speculation here and now.
Barbaro Updates: 5
Update 212: Just spoke to Peter Brette. He visited Bobby this afternoon (wednesday) and said he looks reasonably comfortable. Peter mentioned the press conference tomorrow, and the intent of the conference was for Dr. Richardson to detail everything that has occured over the last week or so. Keep all your positive energy for Bobby, he needs it.

Update 211: A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow (thursday) 11 am. Jeannine Edwards (ESPN) e-mailed me the following:

the presser is tomorrow at 11am. you can put on the site that sportscenter and espn news will be covering it.... no times yet, but it will be on the 6pm SC, and of course earlier on espn news during the day. they are flying a producer in from dallas to work with me tomorrow.

Update 210: The Baltimore Sun has this piece, timed: 2:17 pm today: Barbaro 'facing tough odds,' veterinarian says (thanks Sarah) copied in full:

Barbaro's condition turned "potentially serious" again today, a day after the Kentucky Derby winner's veterinarian gave a more upbeat report, saying the colt was stable and resting comfortably.

Dean Richardson, the chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, also said the colt faced "tough odds" and that doctors were looking at all possible treatments to keep the 3-year-old comfortable.

"Our entire staff is determined to do all they can for this magnificent horse," Richardson said in a statement issued by the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.

Barbaro, who shattered three bones in his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, has undergone three surgical procedures in the past week. In the most recent one Saturday, Richardson replaced the titanium plate and 27 screws and treated two infections -- one in the injured leg and a small abscess on the sole of his uninjured left hind hoof.

"Today we will focus on further diagnostics and keeping our patient comfortable," Richardson said.

Doctors also are keeping watch for any signs of laminitis, a potentially fatal disease sometimes brought on by uneven weight balance.

A major concern centers on the infection in the right rear pastern joint -- located above the hoof that was shattered into more than 20 pieces. While most of the fractured bones have healed, the joint that connects the long and short pastern bones remains problematic.

Barbaro's recovery had been going smoothly until this recent series of setbacks. Saturday's surgery lasted three hours, and Richardson replaced the hardware that had been inserted into the leg the day after the Preakness.

"He's facing tough odds, and his condition is guarded," Richardson said.

Owner Roy Jackson said the sudden changes in Barbaro's condition made this a tough week.

"We've been concerned all along," Jackson said today. "It's just one of those things. It's very difficult to climb the mountain when something like that happened."

I think there is new information above, the most critical being the notion that he really does face tough odds. I will try to get an update from Peter later, but I am also not going to bug him (too much) for it. My plan, head down to the Whip for a couple of Tetleys (and that's not tea) a little later!

thank you TAORACING for the info. BTW i wasn't speculating I was p i s s e d at the guy who was--on the radio no less.

I understand I dont know JJ Graci personally but have spoke with him several times 15 years ago, He was a subpar trainer then and thats prolly why he is doing radio now , Who knows but if he indeed did say the horse was already put down or would be put down well thats just wrong for him to say . Im sure he knows all the people connected to the horse as they are all from where im from originally in bucks county pennsylvania and the surrounding philadelphia area. In any event it's not his place to report that info .

he wsan't reporting he was just offering his own opinion/speculation--I just thought it was out of line, like you said.

Well his opinion is worthless always has been , he was the Mike Battaglia of handicappers in the 80,s when him and Dick Jeradi of the philly daily news did a local radio show. Im sure Kasept will not like me saying these things but hey thats MY OPINION . Just like JJ,s about Barbaro . Or his offering of the concept being very low class at best

Everyone say prayers for Barbaro. We have a mare that is now back working after a year ago having laminitis. It was a long road for her. Nothing to eat but hay. Not even carrots or apples. A year later she is now jumping again. Not anything big, but she is back to her old self.

So everyone say your prayers and think good thoughts!

We'll just have to wait and see until the press conference. Pray and keep your toes and fingers crossed for this awesome animal.

Have had a sick feeling in my gut all day about it. I just heard the replay of the ATRAB show today and Graci seems to feel the same way I did when watching HRTV's interview... I'm trying to be more optimistic, though.

It's a shame when someone tries to interject themselves into a tragedy for some cheap publicity.

Let's think positive fans.

your mare is lucky Buffy, be careful with her. I'm sure the vet has told you of her potential to relapse if the conditions are right--high stress, heavy work etc.
A few years ago I lost a horse to founder it's rough.

I heard it as well, and I thought it was inappropriate speculation. I know JJ portrays himself as a straight shooter, but sometimes that attitude is not appropriate.

Freedom of the press is full and open, but sometimes, a touch of dignity is necessary for some stories and I think this would be one of them. More or less, a classless move by JJ.

E-mail the guy with your opinion? jj@attheracesandbeyond.com

Should be an interesting press conference for that guy JJ tomorrow.

Wow, thats great about your horse, my mare recovered from a horendous laminitis bout, but she will never be the same, and is essentially my much loved, and appreciated pet. I will never ride her again for fear of causing a relapse, I have plenty others to ride, I'm just thankful she's still here with me and greeting me every morning!

Just like press in other areas. First to the story. First to get it right. Seems people take this to mean a good source. So people conjecture based on heard this, heard that. Or try to ascertain the Vets comments and delivery and take it a step further.

If any horse has a good chance its this one. He could not possibly get any better care. And we can rest assurred he will be comfortable if he is on a downhill slide. At least he does not have to go through the pain a lot of other horses are experiencing as I type.

Hell my wife even started with the not enough pressure on the other hoof, and she does not even keep up with racehorses...

Tao-Don't you think you should personally listen to his comments in the archives before drawing a conclusion and making it a personal attack? I need to listen to the whole discussion myself before I pass any judgement on what he said. I too am bothered by those comments if they were said the way it is being portrayed on this thread. I am going to withhold my judgement until I hear it myself. If anybody knows the approximate time this was being dicussed on the show please post it so I can go back and listen myself. I respect your right to your opinion but you shouldn't allow yourself to make it so personal. It takes away from the issue at hand which is Barbaro. I want to say thanks for your earlier thread of updated information about Barbaro. That was much appreciated and any other info you have concerning Barbaro would be too. I don't want to see this thread turn into an attack on somebody, especialy in lite of Barbaro's present conditon. Lets keep this thread going about Barbaro.

I certainly agree with the previous poster who said it would be fair to listen to exactly what was said before commenting on it. I am neither defending or condeming JJ for what he MAY have said, and certainly anyone that actually listened to it is just as entitled to their opinions as JJ is. But that's kind of the problem isn't it....we can share opinions but JJ can't? Come on, some of you are smarter and fairer than that.

As for the poster who didn't listen to JJ but felt compelled to slam him professionally...well, let's remember that this is a poster who claims to be a track announcer yet freely slammed the most widely respected announcer in America on this site. Maybe it's just me but I would call this envy.

Black, who is supposedly a track announcer?

Taoaracing claims that I believe.

First Off , Black , Why do you alway's feel compelled to bring the fact that I am an announcer into every thread I post on , Seems to me thats envy. I do not have to explain my position . I made a comment about 1 call Durkin made and now he is the most respected announcer in america (please form an intelligent opinion and then comment) . I dont know what your deal is but , I made an opinion about JJ Graci , he certainly can come on this board and explain what he said and why he said it right since his main man runs this board.

All's I know is I made comments on this thread and you instead of dealing with the topic decide to attack my credibility once again . If you bothered to read any posts Ive made in the last 2 days you would see what I mean. But keep on attacking my occupation and trying to rack your brain as to whom I am . Either way You can only attack people you have no idea how to form an opinion (typical message board dribble is all you can contribute)

Ok, you peaked my interest now. I appreciate the updates you posted...

Please, feel free to dig up just ONE post outside of this thread where I have " brought up " you're being an announcer. I don't recall having had one exchange with you.

I'm confused, doesn't Durkin call the TC races and the BC races?

Oh and as far as listening to JJ , I dont have to listen to him, I listened to him 20 years ago , Im sure he sounds the same and brings the same boring commentary to whatever show he is on. He brings nothing original to the table thats for sure. Just keep on attacking me tho its fun. Again see Ive formed Opinions I state why I dont like it or something, Then I comment on it . That is conversation pro and con not all happy happy joy joy. Im sure Mr Graci (jj) does fine things for racing and the show . Just not in MY OPINION is it worth 2-4 hours of my time to it. or 1 minute of a 4 hour show to find what exactly he said . It was stated what he said in this thread and thats what I commented on.

The guy is an idiot, but he has ever right to voice his opinion. It just shows little class, but it isn't like he is making up a story about an injury and potentially costing some owner money.

Dave
 

When guys consistently have live on air time to fill, I give them some slack.

If you have to talk spontaneously, eventually something is gonna come out you might have wished you had said differently.....after the fact.

I didn't hear any of the comments he made, but given the news of the last 72 hours I certainly understand the on-air speculation.

I've speculated the same in my thoughts, before I read these comments this evening.

Anyone recall seeing the movie "Dave?" Where the President falls ill, and the government employs an impersonator to take his place?

At this point, I'd almost want to be lied to and told that Barbaro will be just fine......

but, that's just me on this one.

JJ is on a national stage , He is open for attack's . I am not attacking him personally Im attacking his opinion as being not for him to be commenting on as far as life or death for the horse. If they put the horse down I would rather hear it from U.penn or the Doctor not JJ GRACI the day before. Like I said before he probably has done good for racing and the show . Straight shooter portrayed maybe. Lets all remember where his training day's where . Like I say I know alot about this situation as well and I have not said anything except what I originally posted which anyone can find on the web if they know where to look . Anyways this thread has gotten out of control , I defend my OPINION and thats that.

More updates from Tim Wolley (at least it's someone we KNOW is talking to people who've seen the horse themselves):

Update 214: Just spoke with Kathy Anderson. She visited Bobby at about 4 pm. She wanted to let me know that despite all the medical information that we are learning, Barbaro is comfortable. He appeared bright and she was encouraged. She gave Bobby about a half hour of good scratching, and when a nursing assistant was russling a plastic bag he misinterpretted this activity as dinner time; he was alert and looking for food. She called me as she really wanted to make sure everyone knew that despite all, he remains reasonably comfortable.

Update 213: Good Morning America is doing a piece on Bobby tomorrow morning. Jeannine Edwards let me know as we were discussing tomorrow's press conference. (ABC owns ESPN or something like that). Jeannine left a comment clarifying ESPNs coverage of the press conference tomorrow and the reason for such a press conference:

Just to clarify for everyone, SportsCenter always sends a producer with the reporter when they cover any story. It's always a tag-team situation. But normally someone would not fly in from TX, normally a regional person would make the trip from NY or DC. Perhaps no one in the area was available. ESPN takes the Barbaro situation very seriously and wants to cover it accurately and completely. We have no idea what will be discussed at tomorrow's presser, but we have to be prepared for what could potentially be a worst-case scenario. New Bolton is being beseiged with phone calls right now, and rather than try to deal with each news org separately, it's much easier to hold a press conference and give everyone as much info as possible in an orderly fashion. Pressers can be held for several reasons: 1) There is updated info to communicate, 2) There are inquiries and demands made on the facility and so they're trying to accomodate everyone. We'll know more tomorrow.

I am planning to attend the press conference scheduled for tomorrow. I hope they let me in. I did call New Bolton and asked if it was OK. They were aware of this site, and did not seem to mind.

The New York Post may be including a bit on this site tomorrow in its Barbaro coverage. (Eliza, I hope we have the bandwidth for that ?) As I was enjoying a couple of Tetleys at the Whip it seemed HRTV was running something on Bobby (sound was muted, but it seemed they were talking to Jeannine during some of the coverage).

Most informative updates on the web right above this post , Thats where i got mine from as well

thank you all for the info. and at the very least Pimlico can't say anymore that someone or soemthing kicked Barbaro. it was bad racing luck directly related to the running surface.