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Horse Racing News and Commentary |
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Barbaro documentary moved to NBC Derby night prime time |
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Written by Gohorsepower.com
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Tuesday, 01 May 2007 |
 Barbaro: A Nation's Horse will air in prime time this Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 5th at 7 PM Central and Mountain - 8 PM Eastern and Pacific time on NBC. The one-hour documentary about the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner was to debut on Barbaro's birthdate of April 29, but was vulnerably scheduled in the 5 PM Eastern time slot, supposedly to air right after an NHL playoff game that would conveniently end without overtimes. Saturday's Kentucky Derby coverage on NBC runs from 5 PM to 6:30 PM Eastern. Post time is 6:04 PM Eastern.
The Barbaro special went completely un-aired when Sunday's NY Rangers Buffalo Sabres game was tied at 1-1 and went into two overtimes before the single winning point was scored. NBC promised the Barbaro documentary would air on CNBC the Friday night before the Kentucky Derby this weekend, but tried to find a prime time slot for the Barbaro special as outspoken racing fans complained about the program's ill-fated debut. Saturday's Kentucky Derby coverage begins at 5:00 PM Eastern... following hockey playoffs. A half-hour of a Kentucky Derby-themed Access Hollywood is the only disposable buffer NBC has between the two sporting events.
The Barbaro documentary relives the undefeated three-year-old colt's rise to 2006 Kentucky Derby champion and Triple Crown hopeful. Winning the grueling 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby by a margin racing fans will be lucky if they ever see again in their lifetime, Barbaro looked invincible. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in pursuit of the Crown, when Barbaro took a bad step and severely fractured his ankle in the opening stretch of the Preakness Stakes a couple of weeks after the Kentucky Derby. His injury could have cost him his life, but extraordinary care was taken to heal the broken bones in his right hind, and Barbaro remained in healthy spirits at New Bolton Medical Center. Although his original injury would heal over the next several months, it would inflict Barbaro with a painful circulatory disease called "Laminitis" in his uninjured left hoof. When first diagnosed with Laminitis, Barbaro began to look his worst and would have to spend time supported in a sling. Great efforts were taken to manage Barbaro's pain and treat the Laminitis, and eventually the spirited colt, who's game will to survive many fans had found inspiration from, was walking outside again without a cast. Around December of 2006, Barbaro was doing well enough that plans were being considered to discharge him from the hospital in 2007. Sadly, in late January of 2007, Barbaro was overcome with Laminitis in his remaining good legs and began to show his most distressed condition. Nothing more could be done to save him from the ravages of Laminitis, and the decision was made to humanely euthanize him. Laminitis strikes hundreds of horses every day, and although it is often brought on by other injuries, it also frequently strikes otherwise healthy horses, like 1973 Triple Crown Winner Secretariat, who suffered a fatal case of Laminitis in his retirement. A memorial fund in Barbaro's name is helping fund research into equine health and safety, with a focus on fighting Laminitis.
Barbaro Memorial Fund
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