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From DRF (The Inside Post): Always in a Tiz will run in Belmont Stakes 2013.Posted 1 hour ago
Mucho Macho Man breezed 5f in 1:01.40 (4/11) at Fair Hill on 5-24. Posted 1 hour ago
Wise Dan targets the G2 Firecracker 'Cap at Churchill on June 29. Posted 19 hours ago
Jockey Chantal Sutherland will return to saddle at Del Mar. Posted 1 day ago
Itsmyluckyday to skip Belmont Stakes 2013 in favor of Pegasus Stakes on 6-16. Posted 1 day ago
Rosie Napravnik will ride Code West in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
From DRF (The Inside Post): Mylute will not run in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
Eblouissante breezed 4f :49.17 (18/44) at Belmont (dirt Training) on 5-22. Posted 2 days ago
Giant Finish will make his next start in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 2 days ago
Unlimited Budget is expected to face males in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 3 days ago

Ride
Barbaro
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Barbaro

2003 - Horse
Deceased
37 fans37

159 favorites159

[Edit]

Owner(s):

Lael Stable

Trainer:

Michael R. Matz

Bred:

Kentucky (USA) by Gretchen Jackson - Roy Jackson - [Add Data]

Pedigree:

Dynaformer - La Ville Rouge by Carson City

Rating:

8.29/10

Profile

Pedigree

Progeny

Siblings

Photos

What the Horse Racing Nation is saying about Barbaro...

Kentucky Derby...Think Twice about Favored Pace Types

While doing our analysis for the Kentucky Derby Super Screener, we came upon some interesting insights centered on the role of energy distribution profiles (running styles) and their impact on the outcome of the top four Kentucky Derby finishers.Read More

Show All 31 Comments
CauseForConcern · I would guess gate-to-wire prior to War Emblem, might be Winning Colors? · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · It doesn't shock that there has been no pace horse to win the Derby in 10 years. What did shock me, however, was how many closers won... I'm surprised Barbaro in 2006 is a so called closer. I understand his distribution was somewhat late, but he was a true positional horse. The pace, which is rare, didn't truly affect his positioning in the field (of course, this is a rare case. It can be pointed with Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, etc)... Besides this exception, I was astonished at the actual closers that have found away to get up in time. I'll Have Another profiled as a "closer" is a bit crappy, but I could see it. Animal Kingdom had a late distribution, Super Saver had a late distribution, Giacomo actually had an on-par distribution, as t_v has said, but he was deep. Street Sense, etc, etc. I think the key to using this very important information is finding a late distribution horse who has the capabilty to be somewhat close to the lead (4-6 lengths) and who can get up in time. Often these late movers don't get up in time, but they are full of run. I realized that last year and put a SHOW bet on Dullahan. It's kind of hard to think of horses in the Derby who can get up in time, so I think the key is finding the "closer" distribution that still has that hint of speed (i.e I'll Have Another)... This is fantastic data, Mike, thank you for it. · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · This is why I write off Java'a War for the WIN bet.. Most likely, I will put a SHOW bet on him. His pace parameters are VERY LATE, but he sustains a dramatic rally. He will go way wide and pick off horses easily in the stretch. Will he get up in time? That is the question. This practice is utilized consistently, and IMO, a very important aspect to wagering. If you bet exotics in the Derby, I recommend putting these late movers in 3rd and 4th. This tool you pointed, Mike, is key since if you can find a horse with late distribution, but still can stalk the pace, will win the race. Front runners, due to the other 2-3 pace horses (if there is a 20 horse field, you're bound to have 2-3 pace horses) usually must go 46 or 47 and then 1:10 or 1:11. They, unless a truly special horse (i.e Bodemeister) can't hold up. Closers are more likely to hit traffic, be swung wide, and not get up in time. Knowing this, I often bet a SHOW bet on one special late horse. I throw out front runners, usually in the Derby, and I am left, for the win: With a stalking horse, who sustains a pressing position and will settle, and has the kcik at the end (which is technically your distribution fact) and BAM I pick my Derby horse. I didn't have I'll Have Another (however he fit this profile to perfection), I didn't have Animal Kingdom (even though my brother, friend and dad all made a fortune on him), but I did have Super Saver (because of mud), Barbaro (because of these reasons), Smarty Jones (because of these reasons) and Real Quiet (because of this reason).., Thanks for the insight, Mike. · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Churchill has always favored closers, it has a long stretch that is comfortable around horse's feet and coming around the final turn the field is usually 6 horses across. · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · It favors late distribution, not closers. Most winners of the Derby come from 4-6 lengths off. That's not closing. Ignorant statement that long stretch always favors closers. Fair Grounds has a long stretch, and people automatically assume it favors closers. But, really, Fair Grounds has a fiarly early energy distribution. · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Okay, rafi, you want to fight. You know this how? Throw your data on the table, you have an unsubstantiated claim and it's about time you prove it. Don't make some smart ass comment to me, prove it with statistics and facts, not self assuring "my argument is valid"'s · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · I · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · Sorry. I'm a smart ass? LMAO.. For the Derby is a prime example (since I don't bet CD very often). First you must know the difference between late distribution and closers, which I doubt you do, considering how you fail to comprhend this aspect of the game to even the slightest degree. Anyway, instead of overloading you with data your tiny brain can absorb, I'll keep it simple. Look at this data above. I'll Have Another is CLASSIFIED as late... Is he a closer? Barbaro is CLASSIFIED late, is he a closer? It's not hard to understand. If you don't know how to graph the energu distribution and such, simply go to brisnet and look (E, E/P, P, S)... Graph, on EVERYDAY races at Churchill, and tell me what it favors.. Then watch the race... was the winner a closer? This is simple information I doubt you'll comprehend. A late distribution doesn't translate, specifically, to "closing"... POSITION is an illusion. It is simply how horse x's pace stacks against horse x's pace. Postion (closing) is not translatable to pace (late)... Only few horses, probably 1 in 1,000 have a STYLE where PACE doesn't affect there POSITION. Zenyatta is an example. Pace did not afect her positioning, she just ran into it. A example(s) of pace affecting positioning? Orb at a 45 split is 8 lengths off, at 49 split he is 4 lengths off. etc, etc. Of course this data is NOT conversable to different tracks, that is why pace handicappers use trackmaster to translate the distribution. I'm sure you have no clue what I'm talking about... I'll leave this for you to figure out. · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · You gave no sources and made several gross remarks including but not limited to; "I'm sure you have no clue what I'm talking about... I'll leave this for you to figure out" and "First you must know the difference between late distribution and closers, which I doubt you do, considering how you fail to comprhend this aspect of the game to even the slightest degree.", I don't think you do notice how big a dick you're being. · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Did you actually just use Zenyatta as an example? That's like using Secretariat and saying all horses should run 12f in 2:24 because he did... · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Don't you understand that the thing that makes these champions the champions they are is their doing things that regular horses cannot? Using a claimer would've been stronger · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · Sorry, (cont) (as much as tv) but, it is obvious. YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND. Unless you let me teach it to you, which I can't, since you're to immature to admit I know something you don't , lol. Obviously, based on your response, you have no clue and didn't comprehend a word I said about how pace affects the illusion of positioning (which is not complicated to get used to) · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · ^^ so you just wrote a whole post on how I don't understand and how I'm too immature... Let us get insight from the poor people withstanding your nonsense, has anything I have done on this thread provoked this nastiness? Rafi is being a pretty big bully to me · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · And NEVER forget, guys, I am the immature one. Don't forget, I can see why you might get a little mixed up. · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · You think you speak for all of HRN, but, truly, you speak for Mary Z and you. "Rafi · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · "Rafi · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · Ugh! Sorry! My computer! "Rafi's loosing all his fans!" or "You're digging yourself in a deeper and deeer hole.".... You speak for you and Mary (considering tcglory isn't in your little group of aholes, but very well could be). · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · So now you can read my thoughts? I speak for me, and only me. Not Mary Z. · 32 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · My "little group of aholes" << nice, very mature. · 32 days ago ·

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amino998 · Cocoa’s smart enough not to post 1 guy’s comment on another guy’s account :D. · 32 days ago ·

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rafirox · :D. Tha post confused me, but I got it... Carlos no longer posts here anyway, I didn't need that multi account nutcase accusation crap.. He's made like three comments on my account, but that was the only one he did by accident (he wrote "hey ed, blah, blah, blah." therefore making it look weird... Anyway, have a good one, amino. · 32 days ago ·

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amino998 · What was that "I can't post here anymore" crap? · 32 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · What's this crap with my name? · 32 days ago ·

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travel_vic · EVERY Derby winner save one, the Brown Put was sustained/presser....That steroid frankenhorse was presser. · 32 days ago ·

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minethatbird08 · Not sure how you can count some of those horses as closers. Super Saver, IHA, Barbaro...They all pressed the pace · 31 days ago ·

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KristenNeiding · You manipulated the data to create the result you wanted. It's either that or you're that bad at classifying the horses' running styles. I'll Have Another, Super Saver, Eight Belles, and Barbaro were stalkers. Barbaro ran the opening 6 furlongs in fourth place, so apparently there was one pace horse and presser, then everyone else is a closer? In fact, you classify Big Brown as a presser and Eight Belles as a closer, but if you watch the race through the opening mile, they race head and head, and on the backstretch she actually gets a length in front of him. How can you take two horses that raced side by side, and give them different running styles? Not impressive. · 29 days ago ·

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Sullivan · Kristen, it is important to note that date that is to be used prior to the Derby should only include data collected prior to the derby. I still think you have some very valid points, hence my like · 29 days ago ·

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travel_vic · All but a single animal, ran the last prep in a % median in the range 67.2-67.8 sustianed presser by fractoinal velocity and energy distribution...That is fact. · 29 days ago ·

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travel_vic · What POSITIONAL definitions miss, is that definition of a front running victory in 49, 1:13 4/5 1:38 etc gets the same "credit" as a front runner who zips through 26 2/5 1:10 3/5 and 1:35 and they are WORLD'S apart.....Same horse runs it race, lets say presser versus a fast, medium or slow pace of race and what happens, usually, to the positions they go from further back in the fastest example to closer up in the latter one..The horse ran the same, but postionally looked MUCH different. · 29 days ago ·

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travel_vic · that 1st fraction for fast shoule be 24 2/5 not 26 2/5 · 29 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Postional analysis would have stated that Giacomo was LATE and it was well known the the 3rd place colt, Afleet Alex was much later, Fusaichi, Charismatic, Funny CIde, War Emblem, Super Saver, Smarty Jones, Monarchos all had the SAME average prep % medians and some of the ridiculous LATE ones like Pyro, Sweetnorthernsaint, were too too late as were those too early like Bellamy Road, Lion Heart and Hard Spun...To late and too early for the WIN, now Barbaro was all over the map and the Brown frankencolt was high at 67.8 -to 68.9, but just barely · 29 days ago ·

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Barbaro

I still remember when i found this jewl of a gem after his madien race. I turned and told to the guy next to me triple crown is on his radar and hes my early favorite for the derby. He never left my number 1 spot never disapointed me in any race. Miss ya barbaro was great when i got to see you up close will never forget it. Your biggest fan truly MK

Show All 0 Comments

Barbaro: The Best That Never Was

His life spanned four years. The memories a lifetime.Read More

Show All 35 Comments
rafirox · Ok, here is one on Barbaro. Actually edited, lol. · 89 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · I read this, rafi. · 89 days ago ·

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kay.robinett · I was a soccer mom at the time Barbaro was running. As usual, I missed the Preakness that year due to a soccer game. For once I have no regrets for missing a big race over a soccer match...seeing what happened to Barbaro must have been devastating. · 89 days ago ·

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RichChatter · Thanks for this really good article on my all time favorite horse, Rafi. The ending almost made me cry and I'm not ashamed to admit it. He really was the best that never was, but could have been. I remember I did not pick a favorite or pay much attention to the 3 year olds on the KD trail that year because my best friend had died in February of that year and I was too heartbroken to care about much of anything. But watching the post parade, I remember taking notice of Barbaro. And when they turned for home during the race, I fell head over heals in love and finally felt the first spark of happiness and hope I'd felt in a long time because of him. He brought me out of the cocoon I'd wrapped around myself. I loved that horse and wish I could of seen him in person as you did. · 89 days ago ·

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kay.robinett · From what I understand a huge amount of money was raised for laminitis research in honor of Barbaro - as well as large amounts of money towards horse rescue. I know it brings me comfort to know that someday a cure for that scourge might come about because of Barbaro's many fans and their generous support - and that horses have been literally saved and are now living good lives due to the rescue funds. Maybe its just my way of trying to find hope from tragedy... · 89 days ago ·

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RichChatter · That's the way I like to look at it as well, Kay. Barbaro's death was not in vain, as devastating as it was. · 89 days ago ·

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kaitlinefree1 · he meant a lot to you didn't he? this made me happy reading this. :) he was a great horse! · 89 days ago ·

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Sysonby · There have been significant progress on laminitis since Barbaro's death, more work needs to be done on supporting limb laminitis (what happened to Barbaro) but that's coming. The situation is much better than it was. · 89 days ago ·

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rafirox · TV still hasn't trashed my article, I must've done good, haha. · 89 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · rafi shut up. He should trash it after you made the point of almost calling him out to · 89 days ago ·

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RichChatter · Rafi has every right to call him out after the sh*t he said on Rafi's last article. You get what you give. And @Rafi: no matter what tv says, it should not matter. People have greatly enjoyed your articles, which is what should really matter. Not some negative nelly's constant lecturing. · 89 days ago ·

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kaitlinefree1 · i love Rafi's articles! he should write more. :) · 89 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · rafi, You could afford to hire a proofreader with your reported winnings. The parts about the chick flick and the Cheetos made this story "different" from other horse racing articles. · 89 days ago ·

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rafirox · Was that sarcasm, " rafi, You could afford to hire a proofreader with your reported winnings." Or were you serious? I'm not writing for a living.... Just for some fun, that's all. · 89 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Serious. But, What was positive about this story was that it was your own thoughts about a favorite horse of yours. · 89 days ago ·

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rafirox · I mean, I suck at writing, and I always hated english class. And while I was nervous if anyone would critque my writing (like TV did), it is fun to write just for the hell of it. I had a blast writing this. · 89 days ago ·

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rafirox · I don't wanna pay somebody though, if I won't get a profit, lol. No profits for writing this, just for fun. Yesterday, I had my wife proofread it. Plus, this time I used PERSONAL, TRUE experiences that TV can't claim are false. Thank you though, Mary Z for the compliment, thanks to Kaitline and Rich as well (sorry if I am missing someone). · 89 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Very nice Rafi, Barbaro was one of my favorites also. However, like so many others in the past and present he didn't have the time needed to secure his place. I would have loved to see the Barbaro vs Bernardini races. Like many horses who had their Ginger Rogers to compliment Fred Astaire, one, or both would have emerged into the realm of the greats. Maybe another Affirmed / Alydar, maybe. · 89 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · rafi, Did she laugh at the chick flick part? I would be a widow. · 89 days ago ·

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rafirox · Thank you, Icy. I think it would have been fun to watch Barbaro vs. Bernardini in the Preakness, and races beyond that. · 89 days ago ·

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rafirox · Yes, she got a good chuckle. · 89 days ago ·

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travel_vic · never cared for this medically mismanged poor animal · 88 days ago ·

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travel_vic · or better, poor medically mismanged animal · 88 days ago ·

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travel_vic · you rarely go after weight bearing cominuted fractures in humans and expect much but in an equine? madness · 88 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · Very good article. I was going to comment about some of the comments on your article but refrain from do it. All I have to say is, there are so many judgmental hypocrite on this forum that can't follow their own advice. It give my wife and I a good chuckle. · 88 days ago ·

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rafirox · Thank you, sword. · 88 days ago ·

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jenna.heusi · I enjoyed reading this article rafi:) Thanks for writing it! · 88 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Nice article rafirox. Enjoyed it. · 88 days ago ·

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rafirox · Thank you, Jenna and Buckpasser. · 88 days ago ·

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notobsessed · I usually do not read articles about Barbaro because it makes me sad, but this was very positive. Thank you for writing it! · 88 days ago ·

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jay s. · Ed, I admire your courage pertaining to your willingness to let your thoughts be heard. Thank you for the article. · 88 days ago ·

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rafirox · Thank you, Jay and Notobsessed. · 87 days ago ·

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drvivianbell · Nicely told, rafirox. I was at the '06 Preakness (my financial advisor got terrace box seats to woo a group of clients). Seeing Barbaro false-start was startling enough, but the other-worldly cracking, the collective gasp, and the ensuing silence that fell over the crowd when Barbaro pulled up truly turned my stomach. RIP, champ. · 87 days ago ·

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rafirox · Thank you, Bell. I've been to a handful of Preakness', LUCKILY 2006 wasn] · 87 days ago ·

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rafirox · Sorry. Luckily, 2006 Preakness wasn't one of them, b/c I was living in Florida at that point in time. · 87 days ago ·

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Kentucky Derby Trends: Has January Gone Cold?

Since Barbaro in 2006, no Kentucky Derby winner has raced in JanuaryRead More

Show All 11 Comments
AndyScoggin · I agree it is fun to find and think about these Derby trends! · 104 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · No piece of data should be neglected come derby day. Thanks for the info, Bryan! · 104 days ago ·

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yukichan · Enjoyed this immensely and will use some of these funs facts in a Kentucky Derby fundraiser event I am chairing! · 104 days ago ·

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CauseForConcern · Nice article. Here's another trend to add to those that have been accumulated. That is horses' names that begin with the letter 'S'. Since 1973 - Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Sunny's Halo, Swale, Spend A Buck, Sunday Silence, Strike The Gold, Sea Hero, Silver Charm, Smarty Jones, Street Sense, and Super Saver. The letter 'S' represents 1/26 of the alphabet(a tad less than 4%), but has won 30% of the Derbies since 1973. Can you say, Shanghai Bobby? · 104 days ago ·

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travel_vic · If you look in a scrabble game the "S" is a very popular letter anyway · 104 days ago ·

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railbird33 · I am surprised that some many two start 3 YOs have won the KD in recent years. · 104 days ago ·

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Sully · Best question. How is he ranked #1? · 103 days ago ·

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Jonah5110 · I actually thought this article was referring to derby winners not racing in january the following year due to early retirement. · 102 days ago ·

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Lisa111 · Historical references, when it comes to the derby, make sense as an addition to normal handicapping practices. Here is another fact to keep in mind come Derby Day... 70 out of the last 73 winners of the Kentucky Derby have had Total Dosage Points at 14 and over. Only three have been 12 and under. IMO this is an important piece of info. · 102 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Dosage POINTS, by themselves, mean ZERO, Why not say "just about all Derby winners were either brown or bay" · 102 days ago ·

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travel_vic · correlation is a very very long way from causatiion. Rooke statistical error · 102 days ago ·

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We Are Family

The tragedies that have affected our society over the past 15 years have left us as human beings questioning the answers to many of this worlds problems, maybe, just maybe the "Sport of Kings" has the answer. Read More

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driveon · We are also Canadians! Nice piece Scott. · 152 days ago ·

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Indiana · Yes! Canadians also! And Harness fans :) · 152 days ago ·

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ashley.tamulonis · Very moving piece! If everyone could think like this, the world would be a better place indeed. · 152 days ago ·

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yayasister · As a brand new owner, who knew nothing about the sport before the spring, I have never met a more welcoming group of people before in my life. People who are completely willing to share knowledge and stories about the horses they knew and the sport they love · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · WORST THE WORLD has to offer? You must be joking. I lost 7 people in Vietnam alone and my father's experience was worse than mine. The depression was no cake walk either. The world did not happen just in the last two decades my young wide eyed inexperienced one. · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · yayasister: keep your relationship with the game afresh by weekly does of historical perspective. Read about one of the most impressive female Breeder's Cup horses I EVER saw in person, the fabulous Miesque. · 152 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Scott, so glad to be part of your racing family. Here's to a better 2013. · 152 days ago ·

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gocashking · Vic, do you ALWAYS know more about EVERY topic than EVERYONE????? Your posts nauseate me. · 152 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · Vic is very annoying... He is like that Grumpy grandpa that all the kids tune out and roll their eyes when he talks · 152 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Nice family analogy. :) · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Nope, someone has to have not drunk the Kool Aide and lived in the real world, not the make believe. The latter is far more fun but all the more unrealistic · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Unfortunately Americans, and I do add myself to that that number until I was enlightened to a more WORLD centric approach to life, think the entire world starts and ends at their borders. Over 1100 people were killed the same week in a typhoon in the Phillipines.....REALITY is what it is. · 152 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · What do you think of Maggie Thatcher, tv? · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Reality is that many race tracks WILL close in the next few years. Several major ones all based upon unbridled greed. Breeders are shooting themselves in the foot breeding speed to speed and then racing secretaries are complicit in the loss of the breed by continuing to card shorter and shorter races for the ridiculously inept horses which are the result of that shortsideness. One has to get past "pretty horsey' and make some noise about these major problems. I read this week in the New York Times that importers of horse meat now are rejecting it is mass...WHY??? It is too toxic for human consumption because it is loaded with pharmceuticals way past allowable consumption levels. The sport is out of control and hiding one's head in the sand will not do a thing to change it... · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · war monger goon, delusions of grandeur, out of touch with reality, bad hair · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Diminsihing fan base, no major attempts at bringing new people into the sport (with minr exceptions), casinos taking over and supressing racing, many to the point that the racing is being slowly, but surely, phased out altogether, increasing the take out, major take overs in organizations like the NYRA taken over by political appointees and not racing people...Bleak picture ahead · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · I would really LOVE it if ANYONE could refute the facts of the state of racing and its bleak near future. I would welcome them with open arms....Its just there are no good signs in the forseeable future...Prove me wrong. · 152 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I've heard a lot of nasty things about her but that is the first time I ever heard bad hair · 152 days ago ·

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footlick · what do you think about Margaret Thatcher, cocoa2? · 152 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Anita has a great idea outlined in the LA Times today. Pay customers MORE on winning bets if they make them ON TRACK. · 152 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I think she was too stubborn. Sometimes she took things in the right direction, and sometimes the wrong. That's the most unbiased I can get, I don't have any family in Northern Ireland *anymore* · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Footlick, you asked for my opinion. Nevermind. I think Thatcher lost sight of her duty - it was to the PEOPLE of the United Kingdom, rather than the United Kingdom. She looks great on paper but the suffering she caused to the people of the British Isles is too much for me. Her lack of any understanding of history is astounding. She contemplated influxing MORE protestants into Ireland... as if it is not jerry-mandered and politically incorrect enough. I cannot say I'll dance on her grave with David McCullagh, but I won' · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · t say she was an average person. Her mistakes were MUCH too big for that. Police brutality... It makes me shudder. In the second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence it is written " But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.", it makes me wonder, whose fault was it that Margaret Thatcher could close the pits and lay off millions? Unionist views are not welcome. :) · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · cocoa2- I did ask because I wanted to know your opinion. Thanks for answering. Thatcher certainly did have to make that choice between country and people, albeit not alone as she had many advisors, and the choices they made did make her look good on paper. · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · As far as Northern Ireland is concerned, there hav been problems there with divided loyalties since the beginning of the 1600's. The history is just too much to blame one person. Both loyalists and unionists are to blame. The escalation to violence was sad, especially with the religious context of people being persecuted for their different branches of Christianity. The Troubles were a sad part of the history of Northern Ireland. The killings on both sides were so unnecessary. Both sides put what they wanted above the good of the people who were living there. I know you have a very strong view on it, but was not all one sided. The British, the Protestant Army and the IRA all had alot to do with the destruction of Belfast and the region. · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Nothing is one sided. · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · The IRA are called terrorists... maybe the youth around now, but they were developed to protect the rights of the Irish people and they will do just that · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · terrorists are called that for a reason. I'm not going to debate the relative merits of the IRA, but I would assume ETA and Hamas have said the same thing- protecting the rights of their people. It is the way organizations go about it that ultimately defines them. I'm not here to label them or tell people what to believe about them. Everyone can read about their actions during the Troubles and decide for themselves. · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · as well as reading about the British actions and the Unionists actions. · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Hamas is an issue close to my heart as well, but never did the IRA test weapons on its own citizens nor is its motto as violent and awful as that of Hamas. Thatcher let Sands die in a prison; was it too much to ask to come for a compromise? My own family was jailed without reason nor evidence but because they were old enough to have participated in the IRA. After that they were known for more than one shooting and burning in Cork and they took care of their horses and bikes too. Reading won't do any good, you have to see the scars on their arms and the wrinkled notes in Gaelige to recognize what really went on. People without a voice and still don't have one. Bobby Sands died for Ireland to be known, not for rights of prisoners. DeValera came to America to speak and it was the Cherokee who gave him the most support! · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I understand either side but it should be recognized that the Protestants are not the enemy, but rather any man who stands between full rights for Irish citizens. I don't care if the counties are part of the UK, I care the Catholics and Protestants stop being beat up for what started peaceful and has and will escalate into something worse than a simple treaty can handle. Yorkshire and Ireland still have some kids hanging around who remember how it was with Thatcher and the Falklands are becoming more and more hostile. · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · there are good people no matter which organization they are affiliated. Could a compromise have been made during the hunger strike? Compromise can always be made. But since I do not know enough about the information that both sides had in their possession, and how England might have thought giving in to any demand of Sands might weaken their position in Northern Ireland, I can't make that judgement. Compromise can be difficult because it makes one side usually look weak and in an environment as hostile as the Troubles, or now in the Middle East, looking weak is not something that either side can afford. I remember (not actually of course. I am old, but not quite that old) Elizabeth Regina agonizing over the decision of whether she needed to kill her relative Mary Queen of Scots. It really came down to the fact that she could not give any impression of weakness, and not putting her to death when she had the proof of Mary's treason certainly would have painted her weak to the world. I truly believe in tolerance and the ability to live together. Cordoba in Muslim Spain proved that. Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in Cordoba when it was the center of learning under Muslim rule. · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · I am sorry, cocoa2, that tragedy has touched your family in Northern Ireland. And you may be right, a simple treaty may not be enough. I always feel like it is a timebomb there just waiting to detonate again. The problems that I have experienced due to intolerance are nothing in comparison. But I have known people who have lost their lives because of intolerance. I do not support any form of intolerance. Anyway, I wish the best to you and all your relatives. I hope things do not escalate again. · 151 days ago ·

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shadowno · @TimSmith great call re: Grumpy Grampa. Me thinks he is either hitting 9 out of 10 on the senile scale or is just a bitter pathological liar. · 151 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · no · 151 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · No, I don't believe that tv is senile or a liar. He does take a bit of getting used to, but he makes many valid points. Do I agree with all of them? No. Have I gotten over the lack of sugar-coating? Yes. · 151 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · It seems strange at first to see a discussion about Northern Ireland on a horse racing site but I have been to Northern Ireland many times including during the Troubles, and one thing I am sure of is that all Irish people, green or orange love the horse. I remember being in Derry shortly after a bomb in London killed some of the Queens Horse Guard and several horses. There is an overpass in the Bogside area · 151 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · Sorry wrong button... The Bogside is a · 151 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · Sorry again, the Bogside is a green area of Derry, there was big overpass with Sorry About The Horses written on the wall. I hope the people of Northern Ireland find pease and prosperity, they deserve it. · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · Well said Mike in SB. · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I will second that, love for the horse is apparent from the Irish people, at least the old ones. · 151 days ago ·

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footlick · And thanks, cocoa2. It was a pleasure to discuss this with you. You are very knowledgeable on the subject, and obviously very passionate. · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Thank you, footlick. I appreciate the "obviously very passionate", it is worded very well. :) · 151 days ago ·

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travel_vic · After dealing with the surrogate substitions of fantasy for fact in explaining medical conditions to patients over the last years I have learned what Eddie Felson calls his being a "student of human moves." Rather than accept reality for what it is REAL, people will make up a glossy sugar coated narrative from ignorance and overlay over the factual status of what they are altering. Same here. · 151 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · tv, I really hope that I am not understanding you correctly · 151 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · So because people are not robots and prefer a little sugar in there life it makes them less than others? Emotion and caring are two human traits that people with a heart have... · 150 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Painting a situation and bypassing reality cause people to get erroneous conclusions. · 150 days ago ·

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travel_vic · I live in a world where science suggests conclusions. The enlightened person uses that same solid fact based yarstick to view what come down the pike, warts and all. · 150 days ago ·

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dipak1 · well said! yes we are! · 150 days ago ·

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JohnBieker · well said again ahb god bless · 113 days ago ·

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Barbaro

6 years ago today, the great Barbaro was put down. R.I.P. Barbaro, I Love YOU!!!!

Show All 16 Comments
rafirox · RIP. His life lasted three years, the memories he brought forever. RIP Barbaro. I remember the 06 Derby, I was a very happy man that day. · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · Sorry, actually four, technically. · 114 days ago ·

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SSilence86 · Not the news I had wanted to read on my birthday 6 years ago. His memory will live on. · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · Happy b-day, SSilence86! · 114 days ago ·

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SSilence86 · Thank you Rafirox! · 114 days ago ·

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RobGlycenfer · and here comes barbaro, the undefeated barbaro..and barbaro turns it on..and it is all barbaro, in a sublime performance, he runs away from them all and he has saved some for the preakness..what a call, what a performance, still gives me goosebumps · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · Biggest bet I made straight up. 200 to win with exactas. He (as many know, and get annoyed at hearing,haha) is my favorite horse of all time. I remember the day I saw him win the FL Derby, and predicted the TC. still remember that day. I watch his derby once a week, just because. As for calls, here are some of m faves in no particular order: "And CIGAR wants to go! But, Jerry Bailey says no! NOT YET!!!..... Three furlongs left Concern still in last, and THERE GOES CIGAR!!! With a DRAMATIN RUSH!........ The unconquerable! The Unbeatable! The invincible! CIGAR!!!!" - Tom Durkin. "And Zenyatta has a lot, a lot of ground to make up now. She's starting to pick them off now. Around the turn....... And Zenyatta's hooked to the outside! Zenyatta FLYING down the grandstand side! .... THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! ZENYATTA!!!!" -Trevor. "And the filly's in front! She's in front early on here!...... And around the turn, Mine That Bird has found room, but had to find room to do it, Rachel is now up by three! Rachel still in front! MINE THAT BIRD RUNS AT HER LATE!!!!!!! AND THE FILLY DID IT!!!!!" -Larry. The Rachel one gives me goosebumps every time Larry yells "AND THE FILLY DID IT!!!!" · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · Paraphrased off top of my head, not completely word for word. · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · lol. sry 4 the typo. On the rachel call it should have said "MTB has found room, but had to go wide to do it." · 114 days ago ·

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SSilence86 · Its ok with me Rafi. Given my name I chose you can imagine my all time favorite, one who I too won a lot of money on. I bet him to win Derby, Preakness, place in the Belmont, and win BCC. Charlie Whittingham was once quoted saying "this black son of a b**** can run a little bit". It took me another 20 years to find another magical one- Rachel. So I love all the announcer quotes about her. · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · Everyone has the horse who steals their heart. Sunday Silence was also a fave of mine. · 114 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Interesting way Hancock learned of the name he used · 114 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Photo of the Preakness is so close, the colts are in such sinc that it is hard to see Easy Goer insider of SS. · 114 days ago ·

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SSilence86 · yup down to the line in tandem. Very dramatic stretch drive, with SS just pushing his nose down at the wire. I will love that horse forever. · 114 days ago ·

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travel_vic · SS should have come down for repeatedly bearing in the last half of the lane. · 114 days ago ·

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travel_vic · But the clowns at Old Hilltop seem to not want to break with tradition as Codex stayed up too. · 114 days ago ·

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Barbaro

6 years.... wow. Not a day goes by where I don't miss him.

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rafirox · Like. Same here. · 114 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Heads should have rolled with the gate vet. ANY TIME a baby rapped the gate, our vet assumed a possible tendon or ligament could have been weakened and did the logical thing: PASS the race today and be safe. · 114 days ago ·

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notobsessed · I've observed that sometimes the gate vet lets them run and sometimes they scratch them, no consistency in the decisions. Possibly scratching the Derby winner from the Preakness was not something the gate vet was prepared to do. · 114 days ago ·

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Barbaro

It's been six years since Barbaro was put down. His life lived short, the memories he gave me will be remembered forever. What memories can I start with??? I remember watching his maiden win, while the announcer screamed "Barbaro a star in the making!", now a call that makes me sad evertime I listen to it. I remember cashing in on him in the Holy Bull, and telling my friend, who's wife just weeks before, that we should go see his FL Derby. I remember the undercard of the FL Derby. My friend and I were partnering up, and were down 450 on the day. Then, we went to the paddock, right before the FL Derby, the first time I laid eyes on him. Is asked my friend "Why is a quarter horse in the paddock?" Then realizing it was Barbaro. I remember betting Barbaro $20 WP on the FL Derby. As the went off, Barbaro rated speedster Sharp Humor the entire way. As the stretch came out, Barbaro (in m eyes) looked emptied. I yelled (something like) "Damn! Another loser!" Then, he suddenly was catching up. He and Sharp Humor dueled, and I was speechless. He fell back a nose, and came back. We then went right near the winner circle, and I smiled because Barbaro was the happiest horse I have ever seen. I remember videtaping me predicting a TC to Barbaro. I remember betting him 200 to win in the derby. And watching him win by six lengths. I remember when the gate crew put him back in the gate, tragically, he injured himself. I remember my then five year old writing/drawing a card "Get Well Soon Barbaro" I remember the da he died. My favorite horse of all time, R.I.P Barbaro.

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rafirox · **** Who's wife died, sorry for the typo. · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · lol. reading it over I blabbed to much, haha. · 114 days ago ·

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rafirox · Sorry for the long post. · 114 days ago ·

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SSilence86 · Very nice tribute · 114 days ago ·

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northport · He was a nice horse, RIP · 114 days ago ·

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Remembering … Lawyer Ron

It was a sweltering August evening in suburban St. Louis, and I can still remember the sweat dripping from my forehead, momentarily blurring my vision from the copper chestnut beauty that was just a few feet away from me. His name was Lawyer Ron and he was one of the two reasons my wife and I had ma...Read More

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lynnev2 · Thanks for a great remembrance of Lawyer Ron, Brian. A wonderful horse & one of my favorites! · 678 days ago ·

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SueHynes · Great article, Brian, and the photo captured his physical "copper" shining beauty..... · 678 days ago ·

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ScottDick · Beautiful, I actually saw a few Lawyer Ron's sell at the Fasig Tipton yearling sale. · 678 days ago ·

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apajax6 · I always hated his name, but always admired Ron's striking beauty. He was worth watching that summer in Saratoga for many reasons. · 677 days ago ·

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NicholasGreene · Thanks for the post, a hair before my time, but as an AR native, great to hear about an Oaklawn trainer who raced well against the best. · 677 days ago ·

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BrianAppleton · He was a very exciting Older runner, I loved that Whitney/Woodward double!! Amazing figures to post back-to-back. · 677 days ago ·

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HeatherSeiden · You did him justice, Brian... as I knew you would. Those two performances at the Spa... wow. I'd love to see one of his progeny become a superstar to reinforce how spectacular this horse really was. · 677 days ago ·

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Bluegrass · Great article Brian. He was a beauty! · 677 days ago ·

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turfqueen · Nice piece on Lawyer Ron. he was one of my favorites and I thought he would be a very important sire. I look forward to his limited progeny. · 677 days ago ·

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ohio adversary · This would make a nice bio on Lawyer Ron's profile at HRN... · 676 days ago ·

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bellesforever1 · Thank you..a beautiful tribute to a very couragous race horse and one of my favorites. · 674 days ago ·

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sophie · Great tribute and I was lucky to watch him run in person. He was too young to pass but at least we know he is in heaven with all the other legends :) · 673 days ago ·

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MarciaDanieley Pease · Lawyer Ron was a great race horse! We had the honor of watching several of his wins and be in the Winner's Circle. I will always remember what a great horse he was and the great times with our friends, Ron & Jeana Bamberger · 584 days ago ·

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yukichan · Lives on in It's My Lucky Day... · 117 days ago ·

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goblin · Lovely piece! After Itsmyluckyday's win yesterday, I thought of Lawyer Ron's beauty and especially his races as an older horse; from the beginning he had a singular vitality. When he died so suddenly, Steve Haskin of BH wrote a tribute to him that began with the words, "Lawyer Ron loved to run." I think I see that trait in Itsmyluckyday as well. If you haven't read the BH article, here it is. http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2009/07/20/lawyer-ron-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt.aspx · 117 days ago ·

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The Best Races That Never Happened

Let's take a look back at some of the greatest horses that ran at the same time yet never crossed paths on the track.Read More

Show All 80 Comments
dani.pugh · So many over the last few years. Curlin and Big Brown was one I soooo wished would have happened. I was a huge Curlin fan and couldn't stand Dutrows bluffing. Zenyatta and RA at their primes would have been something. I think Zenyatta at six was slightly below her best. Her most impressive season to me was her 4yr old. Her vs Rachel would have been amazing. · 164 days ago ·

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zatt · Along with Ruffian, Landaluce and Princess Rooney were the greatest juvenile fillies of my lifetime, and they were contemporaries. Unfortunately neither left their respective coast, and then Landaluce tragically passed away. If the Breeders' Cup had come a few years earlier, the greatest match-up of juvenile fillies ever would have happened ... it would have been amazing! · 164 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Forego the greatest weight carrier? "The Chocolate Soldier" rarely caught a break but it didn't matter much to him · 164 days ago ·

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linkz · Makes me feel depressed about what could have been. · 164 days ago ·

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grandstand · Very intriguing look at what could have been! -Mary Cage · 164 days ago ·

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rafirox · I;m with linkz, LOL. Nice article! · 164 days ago ·

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rafirox · I'm not I;m · 164 days ago ·

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Barbaro

What the Horse Racing Nation is saying about Barbaro...