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BARBARO: THE TRIUMPH and THE TRAGEDY 7-RACE TIME CAPSULE
Most of us discovered him at the 2006 Kentucky Derby and he was a revelation. That Saturday in May he won by 6-1/2 lengths...the largest margin of victory for the Derby in 60 years! He was beautiful, swift and invincible; his win at Churchill Downs was his sixth in 6 starts. Finally, here was a horse who might end the Triple Crown drought that dates back to 1978. Here finally was a horse who might stand alongside SECRETARIAT, SEATTLE SLEW and AFFIRMED. In the wake of his triumph in the 2006 Kentucky Derby, BARBARO's story proved irresistible to millions.
He was trained by Michael Matz, a relative newcomer to the sport but a distinguished and accomplished equestrian in his own right. He was owned and bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson - dedicated horse people who've been in the game for nearly three decades and ridden by EDGAR PRADO...one of the nation's most talented, respected and leading riders. Veteran trainers and jockeys all but conceded him the next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Unlike most of the horses who challenged him at Pimlico, BARBARO was getting stronger every day. But on the day of the race, everything went wrong for BARBARO as fate had other plans. BARBARO prematurely broke through the gate at the start of the Preakness but was quickly settled back into the gate seemingly unaffected...and then he was off again...this time cleanly...but only for a moment.
Early on in the race, BARBARO broke down fracturing three bones in his left hind leg: his sesamoid, long pastern and cannon bone plus dislocating his fetlock. In the span of one stride in the Pimlico stretch, BARBARO went from anointed to cursed. As EDGAR PRADO pulled up BARBARO while the Preakness field sped ahead, everyone watching was left with a sickening, gnawing and empty feeling. How the race unfolded from there became secondary; the breakdown of the Kentucky Derby winner and his well-being took precedence.
The race continued but all eyes were on BARBARO - it was painful to watch as he nursed his right hind leg gingerly that had shattered into more than twenty pieces. Thousands of spectators and millions of viewers were stunned and grief-stricken by the site of this proud, powerful animal whose life was suddenly hanging in the balance.
The scene was somber and dismal as fans poured out of Pimlico with disbelief on their faces, tears in their eyes, and a feeling of betrayal in their hearts. Betrayed that the racing world had given them a star in BARBARO, an undefeated Derby winner, but then taken him away in such a swift and cruel way; the same fans also were cheated out of celebrating a truly remarkable performance by BERNARDINI. In a fleeting moment, Triple Crown dreams ended. Next came the more important task of saving BARBARO's life. The breakdown of BARBARO in the early stages of the Preakness was a stunning development for a sport that has been collectively searching for years for a Triple Crown winner to grace the scene. Many people believed that BARBARO, more than any recent Triple Crown hopeful, possessed the talent, foundation and running style to break the 28-year drought since the last Triple Crown winner, AFFIRMED. Instead of being toasted, celebrated and draped with a blanket of black-eyed susans, BARBARO was fighting for his life in the initial moments after the start of the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown.
Within an hour of his injury, BARBARO was rushed to the New Bolton Center in Kenneth Square, Pennsylvania - the renowned animal hospital where doctors would try to save his life. He was in surgery for six hours as twenty-seven screws and a metal plate were inserted in his lower leg. Most horses that sustain similar injuries would have been euthanized immediately. His rider, EDGAR PRADO, is credited with helping to save the colt's life by shifting his weight to help BARBARO keep weight off the shattered leg, while quickly bringing him to a stop.
As BARBARO began his long arduous recovery, his fans flooded the hospital with get-well cards, apples, carrots and gift baskets. His injury sparked national headlines;writers wanted to know why we cared so much about a horse when human life is sometimes taken for granted. And still the cards and the banners kept pouring in.
While it was clear that BARBARO would never race again it was hoped that he would heal sufficiently to lead a pain-free life and that he might be able to breed. But whenever a horse has suffered extreme trauma and undergone surgery there's always the chance that deadly infection may set in. Still with each passing day, BARBARO's odds steadily improved, that is until the first week in July, 2006, after six weeks of a seemingly miraculous recovery his condition quickly deteriorated on July 11th when he developed a severe case of laminitis in his left hind foot. The laminitis came after a tumultuous ten days that saw BARBARO's recovery, which had been progressing smoothly and uneventfully since the May 20th injury and extensive surgery the following day, take a turn for the worse.
At the start of the long recovery process, BARBARO seemed to adjust well to his days at New Bolton during a relatively smooth June. Early in July BARBARO's condition took a cruel twist. Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery at New Bolton, described BARBARO's long-range chances for survival as poor sighting that BARBARO will have plenty more obstacles to overcome in this painstakingly slow, "day-by-day", recovery process and that it will be at least six months before surgeons will be able to safely say he has made it - he is still considered, "a coin toss", for survival.
This collection is THE definitive time-piece...AN INSTANT COLLECTOR'S ITEM chronicling the Triumph and Tragedy of BARBARO...the 2006 UNDEFEATED Kentucky Derby winner....23+ ENTIRE hours that show all 7 of BARBARO'S races all in their entirety PLUS his works leading up to the Kentucky Derby...all footage between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and everything that unraveled after his heart-wrenching break-down in the early part of the Preakness, not to mention all the day-to-day updates and footage of BARBARO as he continued his struggle for survival.
This long overdue time capsule was created for those who faithfully supported their fallen hero BARBARO to honor this much deserving, courageous and gutsy champion. Endless hours were invested to create a masterpiece worthy and fitting of this beloved animal who laid his heart on the line in every race...a heart that proved to be much bigger and stronger than anyone could've imagined demonstrated repeatedly by his refusal to succumb to his grave and catastrophic injuries. BARBARO was a fighter in the truest sense of the word and was embroiled in the most serious battle of all...for survival! Tougher times were ahead for BARBARO as he battled on fearlessly and faced whatever challenge with bravery, determination, courage and continued tenacity as the world watched and prayed for a miracle.
The nearly 9-month valiant race is now sadly over - a marathon...through peaks and valleys...in the end, this once brilliant blazing star was sadly distinguished. A life that touched so many is now sadly just a bittersweet memory but one that will be forever endearing.
Pimlico Race Course found itself as the scene of enormous heartbreak and devastation, a worldwide stage where the breakdown of a hugely talented and popular colt overshadowed a brilliant performance by another. The horrific scene cast a pall on the entire event. BARBARO's future was uncertain; whether or not he'd survive, he'd live on in the memories of those who were moved first by his greatness and then by his valiant struggle. He sadly left no offspring but his legacy is clear - on his moment of anguish, BARBARO touched a nation. More than anything else, he is a horse who has affirmed our humanity.
Follow the Triumph and Tragedy of BARBARO in this ONE-OF-A-KIND, CUSTOM-MADE comprehensive 23+ HOUR TIME CAPSULE...THE definitive collection - an INSTANT COLLECTOR'S ITEM from a trusted, reputable and proven source.
This time capsule continues to evolve as footage of BARBARO's full brothers NICANOR and LENTENOR is also constantly being added!
(23 Hours and 42 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 19 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |