The remains of the great, brave colt, Barbaro, will be interred at Churchill Downs, the site of his greatest triumph as an undefeated champion. Roy and Gretchen Jackson, his owners who tried to save his life, made the announcement of the agreement to place Barbaro at the track along with a statue outside Churchill's gates.
Mario Pino, who rode the game and tenacious Hard Spun to place finishes in 2007's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and Barbaro's jockey, Edgar Prado, reached the 6,000 win plateau last November and this month, respectively, to become just the 15th and 16th jockeys all-time to snare triumphs in 6,000 races, while Russell Baze destroyed the all-time victory margin set by Laffitt Pincay, Jr. (9,530), with his 10,000th score this month. Baze is 49 and going strong.
The total handle from 2007's racing season at Gulfstream Park showed a slight decline from the previous year, a typical showing from tracks across the country. But Thoroughbred racing is alive and well monetarily. Even if not as many fans show up at the tracks to watch the competitors, betting is lively and that's where the payoff is that supports the Sport of Kings.
Good news...Teuflesberg enters his first stud season this year after successful surgery following an ankle injury Teuy suffered while racing late last fall. Rood and Riddle performed the artful repair.
And, tough little dual classic winner Smarty Jones has produced some promising youngsters. Tough and hardy describe the first offspring of 2004's near Triple Crown champion, says top Florida agent , Eddie Woods.