Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Adele is big winner, Houston honored at Grammys

Surgeon: Barbaro had 'incredibly good week'

Derby winner progressing well from broken leg, gets visit from Prado

Prado meets with BarbaroAP
Jockey Edgar Prado makes his first visit to Barbaro, who is recovering from a broken leg he suffered during the Preakness Stakes, at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center on Tuesday

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Ten days after his awful breakdown in the Preakness, Barbaro is progressing so well even his surgeon is impressed, though he conceded the colt will have a “hitch in his giddyup.”

After initially saying the Kentucky Derby winner’s chance for survival was a “coin-toss” — 50-50 — Dr. Dean Richardson was happy to amend it.

“I was going to call a news conference to say it’s officially 51 percent,” the surgeon said, smiling. “Seriously, every day that goes by is a big day.”

Though upbeat, Richardson was quick to temper his enthusiasm, adding that there’s still a long way to go before Barbaro can be discharged. And even with a full recovery, still many months away, the horse will be limited in what he can do.

“He will never be able to do a dressage test. He won’t be able to gallop, he won’t be able to jump. He will have, at the very best, a hitch in his giddyup,” Richardson said during a news conference at the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, where he and a team of assistants performed more than five hours of surgery on Barbaro the day after the Preakness.

“He will not be quite right, but there’s lots and lots of horses that can walk, trot, canter, gallop, spin around and somewhat importantly, mount a mare ... all those things that you use your hind legs for,” he added. “That’s their hope, that he can do all those things. We are way, way away from that.”

Still, there were good signs.

The hoof-to-hock fiberglass cast on Barbaro’s right hind leg may stay put a few more weeks because Richardson said there’s no compelling reason to change it.

“If he continues to look as good as he does, he can wear this cast for several more weeks,” he said. “He’s had an incredibly good week — far better than I would have ever hoped so far.”

The risk of infection diminishes after the first 10-to-14 days of recovery, but other problems can occur later, including laminitis, an often fatal foot disease, or, in this case, the shattered bones not healing properly.

“Things are definitely better eight days post op,” he said.

The sunny outlook, so far, is in sharp contrast to the shock and sadness that reverberated throughout the nation on May 20 when Barbaro’s right hind leg flared out awkwardly just after the start of the race at Pimlico.

His run for the Triple Crown was no longer what counted; his very survival was at stake.

Edgar Prado saw Barbaro for the first time since the Preakness break down, stopping by his stall in the intensive care unit for a 10-minute visit. The jockey has been credited with saving the colt’s life by pulling him up quickly to avoid further injury.

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

“I definitely feel a lot better,” said a smiling Prado, who arrived in a black stretch limousine. “I’m feeling heartbroken, but I’m feeling better. His progress is helping a lot, but he isn’t out of the woods yet. We’re just happy that he continues to do good.”

Back for their daily visit were owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson, accompanied by their daughter, Lucy, and her husband, Tom Zungailia.

“It’s unbelievable what’s happened,” Lucy Zungailia said. “Everyone has been so great, and the horse is doing so well.”


advertisement
More news
Image: John Velazquez rides Animal Kingdom to victory during the 137th Kentucky Derby
AP
'All Others' a strong favorite?

The first of three pools of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins its three-day run on Friday and the bet's opening scenario is very similar to each of its opening pools since the wager was created in 1999.

Image: 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships - Day 2
Getty Images
Breeders' Cup returns to NBC

It's first time that Classic will be broadcast in primetime on Nov. 3.

FREE VIDEO
'He looked very bright and strong'
May 30: Jockey Edgar Prado pays a visit to Barbaro, and the injured Kentucky Derby winner gets rave reviews in his recovery from surgeon Dean Richardson.
INTERACTIVE
AFFIRMED ALYDAR CAUTHEN VALASQUEZ
Timeline: The Kentucky Derby
The defining moments in more than a century of the Run for the Roses.
Slideshow
Image: Allison Baver
  Derby celebs
Plenty of stars from the entertainment and sports world attend the 136th Kentucky Derby.

more photos

INTERACTIVE
SECRETARIAT TURCOTTE
Triple Crown winners
The horses that have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in the same year.