Immortal Race Creates Immortal Champion
January 23, 2008
Barbaro-that name rouses many emotions. Among these emotions are awe, love, and majesty just to name a few. In 2:01.36 he joined the ranks of Real Quiet, Sunday Silence and Spectacular Bid. He became immortal in our hearts and minds.
On October 4, 2005 Barbaro was entered to race 1 mile on the turf at Delaware Park with Jockey Caraballo J C aboard. He went off at odds of 7-1. He obliterated the field by 8 ½ lengths finishing the race in 1:35 4/5 and earning a beyer speed figure of 73. Trainer Michael Matz must’ve gasped as Barbaro came down the stretch winning with ease. As an eerie sign of things to come his DRF note for this race reads: “hard to load”.
He returned to racing November 14, 2005 in the Laurel Futurity. He entered the race at 2.80-1, but he should have been 1/5. Barbaro toyed with the field until the half mile pole, and then exploded like a rocket. He went on to win by 8 lengths in what Andrew Beyer says is possibly the best turf race by a 2 year old of all time. He eclipsed the track record with a winning time of 1:40 for the 1 1/16 distance. His beyer number for the race was gigantic at 102. Barbaro was among the top 2 year olds in the nation. The secret was out.
Barbaro’s next attempt came on January 1, 2006 in the Tropical Park Derby (Grade 3T). This would be his first time in graded stakes company. He went off the 2-5 favorite. Barbaro rated in second as Mr. Sober ridden by Eddie Castro showed the way, setting a ¼ of 23 1/5. By the half mile marker Mr. Sober had opened up 2 ½ lengths on Barbaro. The half mile tote board read 47 4/5 for the half mile. Could Barbaro catch him after he ran such modest fractions? Absolutely is the answer. Barbaro menaced to his outside, and entered a duel with Mr. Sober as they hit the stretch. He easily overpowered the 15-1 longshot. He went on to win by 3 ¾ lengths for new jockey Edgar Prado. He earned a beyer figure of 97 for the race. It would be on to the dirt for the son of Dynaformer.
It was February 4, 2006 and Barbaro was at Gulfstream Park for the Holy Bull (Grade 3). The track had come up sloppy, but with a Tomlinson number of 366 Michael Matz had no reason to worry about his colt’s chances. Future Grade 1 winner Flashy Bull and future Grade 2 winner Sunriver were amongst his challengers. They would be no match for Barbaro.
Once they reached the quarter pole Doctor Decherd had the lead, with Barbaro in second, Flashy Bull in third, and Sunriver following in fourth. Barbaro slowly picked away at the lead. He captured it as they left the back stretch. Flashy Bull loomed large to his outside. As the hit the top of the stretch Dr. Decherd hadn’t thrown in the towel. He recaptured the lead momentarily before Barbaro burst past him. Flashy Bull faded as Great Point made a brilliant stretch run. Lucky for Barbaro, there wasn’t enough track left for Great Point. His beyer figure was a respectable 95. Barbaro was now 4 for 4.
Just under 2 months later Barbaro returned for the Florida Derby. He would be racing from post position 10 and went off at odds of 8-5. This race, like his last would take place at Gulfstream Park.
Sharp Humor led to the quarter pole, while Barbaro raced along in second as he usually did. Sharp Humor continued to lead to the half mile marker, and Barbaro inched closer with every stride. He looked Sharp Humor in the eye as they dueled in the stretch. The track announcer called out “It is Barbaro to the final furlong, he is a neck in front of Sharp Humor who WILL NOT go away!”. But as he always had before Barbaro took control and won the race by a neck. He earned a career best beyer figure of 103. All the prep work had been finished. It was onward to the Kentucky Derby. It was onward to greatness.
The first Saturday in May had arrived. Michael Matz had been criticized for leaving 5 weeks between Barbaro’s last race and this one by the so called “experts”. This Derby was not unlike the others. The day’s festivities had been wonderful, along with the Singing of “My Old Kentucky Home”. Tom Durkin would call the race as usual.
California horse, and Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek was the horse to beat in the minds of most. He had been brilliant in all of his races and was seemingly invincible. Had he not drawn post position 18 he would’ve been the post time favorite. That title belonged to Illinois Derby winner Sweetnorthernsaint. Matz colt Barbaro was the second choice at post time.
Bluegrass Stakes winner Sinister Minister went to the lead, along with Keyed Entry. Stable mate’s Showing Up and Barbaro were third and fourth, respectively. As they approached the ¾ pole Sweetnorthernsaint advanced along the rail, while Barbaro moved into the clear, and as they hit the stretch he seized control of the lead. Edgar Prado looked back to find that Barbaro was in a race of his own. He continued to widen his liden. First it was 4 lengths, then 5, and eventually 6 1/2 as Barbaro crossed the wire all by himself. Tom Durkin called out “And it is all Barbaro in a sublime performance, he runs away from them all”.
Barbaro had just won the Kentucky Derby, but he had done more than that. He made the best 3 year olds in the world look like fools. He absolutely positively destroyed them. Barbaro was the best horse that year, or another other year. It is tragic the way his life ended. Although this was terrible event good also came from it. Veterinary advances were made in the attempt to save his life. He brought many new fans to a sport that desperately needs them. A memorial fund has been established in his honor to award scholarships to students going into the veterinary field. This, combined with his legendary triumph in the Kentucky Derby allowed Barbaro to live on. He lives on as an immortal champion in our hearts and minds. Rest in peace Barbaro.