Derby winner Barbaro hanging in there

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. – The patient was doing better – and that alone accounted for Dean Richardson’s upbeat demeanor Friday.

A day after describing Barbaro’s prognosis for recovery as “poor” because of an often fatal hoof disease, the colt’s chief surgeon was able to report the Kentucky Derby winner had a “good night and even slept on his side.”

That nugget of good news followed a week of distressful updates: surgeries and cast changes on Barbaro’s injured right hind leg – the one that sustained three broken bones in a horrific misstep shortly after he left the gate at the Preakness Stakes on May 20. And, perhaps most serious of all, a severe case of dreaded laminitis in his “good” left hind leg.

Barbaro was in stable condition after a restful night and a peaceful day, with his heart rate and pulse termed “good,” according to statements issued by the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.

“We are treating his laminitis aggressively, and he continues to respond well and is acceptably comfortable,” Richardson said. “Our goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible, and clearly that comfort level will be a major indicator for our treatment decisions.”

The colt, which has fiberglass casts on both hind legs, also has been fitted with a sling to prevent sudden movements and allow him to shift the weight on his limbs. Laminitis is usually caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs.

“Barbaro was out of his sling for more than 12 hours yesterday, and he had a calm, restful night, sleeping on his side for more than four hours,” Richardson said, adding that while his condition is stable, “it remains extremely serious.”

Sleeping on his side was significant because it allowed the horse to rest without putting pressure on his legs.

Barbaro’s left hind leg has only 20 percent of its hoof left after Richardson performed a hoof wall resection Wednesday.

Richardson estimated it would take about six months for a new hoof wall to grow back.