Jockey Alex Solis and the gate vet

[louis finochio]

Jockey Alex Solis heard the loud snap that did Barbaro in, as I over heard this Monday morning.

After Barbaro broke through the gate, I was watching for the gate vet to inspect Barbaro before they loaded Barbaro into the gate for the second time.

I never saw the gate vet inspect Barbaro, did anyone else see the gate vet look at Barbarto too make sure he was 100% ?

Is the vet stationed at the gate required to inspect these TB when an incident happens at the gate?

[WarHorse]

I heard in one of the interviews that the gate vet did look Barbaro over, but I suspect it was just watching him move, not an actual physical exam, however brief.

That's what I recall, but I could be mistaken.

[Lucy]

Here is what the vet himself had to say -
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33670

Apparently, standard procedure for such incidents was followed, and nothing seemed amiss.

[FOS]

hi louis finochio

Jockey Alex Solis heard the loud snap that did Barbaro in, as I over heard this Monday morning.

After Barbaro broke through the gate, I was watching for the gate vet to inspect Barbaro before they loaded Barbaro into the gate for the second time.

I never saw the gate vet inspect Barbaro, did anyone else see the gate vet look at Barbarto too make sure he was 100% ?

Is the vet stationed at the gate required to inspect these TB when an incident happens at the gate?

louis...it would be interesting to hear the veterinarian, that was stationed closest to the gate, speak for him/herself. I expect at some point he/she (or the race track) might release an official statement for public consumption, if it has not been done already. It would not surprise me if he/she has communicated with the stewards and been asked to speak with other racing officials and/or interested parties.

Best to you.

Respectfully

[Tairaterces]

From The Blood-Horse online:

David G. Zipf, chief veterinarian for the Maryland State Racing Commission, is convinced classic winner Barbaro did not suffer his career-ending injury in the starting gate when he broke through the stalls prior to the start of Saturday's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico.

Zipf was stationed behind the gate when Barbaro, the 1-2 favorite, broke through and took several strides before being grabbed by an alert outrider. Zipf said he followed standard operating procedures by giving the colt a visual inspection for any injuries the incident may have caused.

"The stewards always ask me to look at them (when they break through the gate)," said Zipf, a state veterinarian since 1965 and chief veterinarian for the last 20 years.

"I went through the stall he was in and followed him back around. Once he was gathered up (by an outrider) and turned around, the first thing I looked for was head trauma or abrasions or cuts. I then walked behind him as he trotted back to make sure, leg-wise that there was no problem. I could see nothing that would insult his performance; saw no problems with his head or legs. I'm certain there was nothing that would predispose to the injury that occurred in the race."

Zipf has heard the speculation that Barbaro's injury may have occurred in the gate and feels it is important for the racing public to know safeguards were taken. "We want people to know the circumstances," he said, "so we can eliminate speculation that isn't warranted. I don't want there to be any gray areas about what we do."

Every starter is given an inspection by a state veterinarian on the morning of a race. Zipf observed Barbaro and second wagering choice Brother Derek at approximately 5:45 a.m. when both went out for a light canter. Other horses are checked in their stalls or brought out to walk or jog, on request. Every horse is also observed during the saddling process by one of a team of state veterinarians and again on the racetrack as the field warms up prior to a race.

"If there are any problems during warm-ups, I'll ask the jockey to bring the horse to me and will tell him exactly what to do with him, depending on the problem I may see," Zipf said. "In the case of the Preakness, being at the gate I saw each horse warm up, and there were no problems. Barbaro looked fine. He was very aggressive, lunging against the pony, and striding out well."

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33670

[Shammy Davis]

Not to complicate things, knowing that Track VETS have a difficult job, but I think there is more here than meets the eye. BARBARO was half bucking during the post parade. Just not on his toes, he was bucking. He broke the gate. Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey, during his ESPN commentary, noted that BARBARO was not acting in his stall like he had CD. Commenting that the normally staid and curious colt was moving around more anxiously throughout the day. There were a few other professionals who observed noticeably different behavior in this horse who was known for his steady regimen and curious nature. This horse was bothered and noticeably not himself. There is a lesson for all us to learn here. Like the pilot pre-flighting his aircraft, horsemen have to insure that nothing is amiss with their horse, even up to seconds before a race. I think the excitement and media chaos of the TC series interferes with proper preparation of these horses. I remember when Barclay Tagg was criticized for not allowing more media coverage of FUNNYCIDE. I have a lot more respect for him now. I, further, respect the comments of those who were dealing with BARBARO before and after the race. I don't think anyone can or should be blamed or held accountable for this incident. I only pray the horse survives to pass on his zest for living and being a racehorse. From all reports his hormones have not be affected.

[Heidilady]

Just to point something out though, I realize he was back to his usual environment at the training center and all after the Derby but the preparation for the Preakness, and then the race itself coming 2 weeks later, is completely different from what he's used to. He's probably going 'well geez, I'm back at the track and totally getting a race-vibe. Isn't this kinda soon?'

Even if he's ready to run, he might think things are strange and alter his behavior a bit. He looked like he was feeling kinda full of himself, was interested in what's going on, and plenty of horses buck when they're feeling good. He's gotten fractious during the tack up in his last 2 races that they've televised. By the way, the surgeon said he didn't see evidence of previous injury to the area when he was in there messing with the cannon bone,etc. He said it all appeared to have happened at the same time so it's not like Barbaro was carrying it around for a week or two ready to crack and they were just not paying attention. I realize x-rays are expensive but if I could afford it and it were my horse, I'd do pre-emptive x-rays before each TC race. That's not too many for safety's sake but it's also good to know if you're sending an injured horse in. I know some would run anyway and hope it holds up but I bet people like the Jacksons wouldn't. They didn't seem like the type.

[louis finochio]

When I stand at the gap at Santa Anita when the horses come from the barns and enter the main track to work or gallop, I can read their eyes and see their agressive look that they are going into battle.

TB have a high teck memory and when they leave their stalls of peace and quiet and are asked to run their adrenelin cranks up.

I have also seen this elevated adrenelin crank up when these TB are schooled in the padock, as their memory tells them they are going to run.

I remember Affirmed when he was being tacked up and going from the paddock to the main track to run. Affirmed was a cool calm TB nothing bothered him.

All these TB are individuals and a trainer must train them as individuals, as one size fits all dosent apply to these TB.

[Laro19]

I am curious about the many people that are speculating that Barbaro may have been off before the start of the Preakness. What I saw was a horse that was ready to run. He knew what his job was and he wanted to go to work. The pre-race jumping and bucking I felt was an extremely GOOD sign that this colt was not adversely affected by the win at the Derby. Even if the colt was slightly off, (which I don't believe) how could that have led to his breaking his leg? I believe that the horse was ready to become the next triple crown winner. I also believe that Matz had the horse in the perfect condition for the assault on the triple crown, he was well rested before the Derby. He came out of the Derby in great shape, and only a misstep did him in. Whenever anything happens wether it be a horse injury, or a hurricane (Katrina) people always say it was someones fault, when it reality things happen. I don't believe the horse breaking through the gate had anything to do with this either. The jock would have sensed it right away. This was just a horrible misstep, nothing more, nothing less. Respectfully.....

[Ill-bred]

Did anyone tape the broadcast?

I didn't, and I'm out at Timonium, but two people have now told me if you watch the warmups, Prado suddenly looks back at Barbaro's right hind leg at one point and he continues looking back at it.

Anybody else see this?

[kezeli]

What I saw going ioto the Preakness was a horse that came out of the Derby BETTER than he was. This speculation about his being "off" makes zero sence in that a painful horse does NOT behave like he wants to fly out of the gate like he did. This horse was primed to run his race and just took a bad step in his zeal to be raceing.

[xfactor fan]

Did anyone at the race see them grade the track between the Budweiser Clydesdales and the race? Also did the wagon go anywhere near the path that the running horses covered? Big hoofprints, heavy horses, big hoofprints to step into.

The national coverage didn't show any track grooming done between these two events. Stepping into a Clydesdale sized divit at full gallop could produce a miss step or two.

[ak1]

Yes, after the horse was bucking in the parade, Prado was looking down. According to what I heard this was his standard practice, if you will, to make sure the horse had not thrown a shoe with his hopping around. Given how closely the cameras followed Barbaro and no other horse in the post parade, I think we saw more of his warm up than one normally would on tv.

I really do trust/believe in the horsemanship of this horses connections....no way would he have been running if he was not right. Prado is enough of a horseman, with enough experience, that if the horse was not right he'd not let him be put in the gate. As it was, that experience has helped to save the horse thus far....I don't think every jock out there would have been able to so carefully pull him up.

It is a very tragic situation and very much hoping for a happier ending to this story.

[Heidilady]

Did anyone tape the broadcast?

I didn't, and I'm out at Timonium, but two people have now told me if you watch the warmups, Prado suddenly looks back at Barbaro's right hind leg at one point and he continues looking back at it.

Anybody else see this?

Yeah I taped it. I swear I don't see anything amiss. I also rewatched that gate break so many times it wasn't even funny and Prado didn't just look back at the right leg, he looked back at the left too. The tv cameras were watching Barbaro like a hawk.

[louis finochio]

When Barbaro broke through the gate attempted to run off, he didnt look like a sore horse.

What impressed me was Barbaro didnt try to fight his jock and become unruley as Prado put on the brakes, as the outrider came to their rescue.

I have witnessed many TB that will run away under the same senario. Barbaro showed his class to realize the other TB were still in the gate.

I would like to know if those high tech instruments will be used on Barbaro's legs to stimulate his circulation.