Bernardini won last year?s Preakness Stakes, but that?s not the memoryanyone who witnessed the race recalls. The image of Barbaro breaking down after the start of the race is the enduring image of that Preakness.
Barbaro, who had been touted as a possible Triple Crown contender last year, will be honored this weekend at Pimlico during the 132nd Preakness for his moving eight-month struggle to survive, which ended with euthanasia in January after complications with his broken rear right leg. The Maryland Jockey Club has renamed the Sir Barton Stakes as the Barbaro Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds is the ninth race on the Preakness undercard.
Stay informed.Stay ahead.
Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.
Already a member? Log in
“Barbaro became the most popular racehorse in the country because of his courageous battle,” MJC chief operating officer Lou Raffetto said. “We thought it was the right thing to do.”
“People across the country were moved by his enduring legacy,” said MJC chief executive officer Joe De Francis. “Barbaro touched our hearts and reminded us of what an incredible athlete and tremendous inspiration he was, and still is, to legions of fans worldwide.”
Closing the Alibi Breakfast Thursday morning, Barbaro jockey Edgar Prado and Dr. Dean Richardson of the University of Pennsylvania were each awarded a Special Award of Merit. Prado was not on hand for the event at Pimlico, but he sent a message expressing his appreciation for the honor and expressing how much Barbaro’s fight meant.
“Dr. Dean Richardson represents everything that is good and pure about our sport,” Prado’s note read.
Barbaro was under the direct care of Richardson, the chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine?s New Bolton Center.
“I would not be here if Edgar [Prado] or somebody of his skill were not riding the horse,” Richardson said.
Along with Prado and Richardson’s honors, model horse maker Breyer presented a $125,600 check to the Laminitus Fund, making Breyer?s total amount given to the fund $241,000.
