Barbaro suffers a major setback

Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, has had a major setback in his recovery.

The son of Dynaformer was reported to be extremely uncomfortable on his left hind foot Tuesday night at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.

As a result, a cast that had been replaced last week to help with bone realignment in the foot was removed. It was discovered there had been some more separation of the inside portion of his hoof, so damaged tissue was taken from the hoof by veterinarians.

According to a statement released by New Bolton on Wednesday, Barbaro’s condition was being treated “much more aggressively,” but the horse was stable and eating well. According to Gretchen Jackson, who owns the colt with her husband, Roy, Barbaro was lightly sedated and back in a protective sling in his stall in intensive care.

There had been hope that Barbaro would be able to leave the hospital by the end of this month because his right hind leg, which was severely injured shortly after the start of the Preakness last May 20 at Pimlico, had healed so well.

However, the left hind foot has been a trouble spot for several months. Last July, Barbaro had to have 80% of his left hind hoof removed because of laminitis, a serious and painful condition. One of the causes is when a horse distributes its weight unevenly.

“Things were marching along pretty smoothly until this,” Gretchen Jackson said. “We’ve been there before with him. He is a horse that wants to live. The only thing we care about is that he is not in pain.”

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There were 111 winning tickets worth $18,892 apiece in the pick six at Santa Anita.

A total of $2,705,016 was bet into the pool chasing a carry-over of $623,111. Favorites, including Fast Parade, who rolled to an easy win in the $77,500 Impressive Luck Handicap as the 2-5 choice, won four of the races in the sequence.

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Dr. Rick Arthur, the equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board, announced that the quarantine of Northern California race tracks has been lifted. The quarantine had been in place since Dec. 29 after a horse at Golden Gate Fields had tested positive for equine herpes.

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Acting on recommendations made Tuesday by the CHRB’s medication committee, the CHRB will discuss stricter rules for the use of clenbuterol, which Chairman Richard Shapiro said is being overused, and consider the committee’s vote to move toward banning the use of anabolic steroids, which are currently legal.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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