Barbaro doing well day after Florida Derby

Last updated: 4/2/06 8:43 PM

Barbaro (outside) had just enough to overtake Sharp Humor just a few jumps before the wire
(Eleanor Gustafson/Horsephotos.com)

The Michael Matz-trained BARBARO (Dynaformer) remained undefeated on Saturday
when annexing Gulfstream Park’s major Kentucky Derby (G1) prep, fighting to a half-length
win over SHARP HUMOR (Distorted Humor) in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1), and
was reportedly doing fine the day after.

“Everything is great today,” said stable foreman Ed Madden. “This horse is
just one great individual. We’re all looking forward (to the Kentucky Derby)
now.”

A successful two-year-old over the turf, Barbaro made his first start on the
main track when capturing the Holy Bull S. (G3) two back over sloppy going and squashed
any rumors that he couldn’t handle a fast track Saturday in his fifth
consecutive victory.

Second-place Sharp Humor, who was making his first start around two turns,
also came out of the race in good order, according to trainer Dale Romans. Romans
indicated that the Kentucky Derby on May 6 would be the next stop for the bay
colt.

Although conditioner Todd Pletcher was pleased with SUNRIVER’s (Saint Ballado)
third-place performance, he was less impressed with his stablemate, SAINT
AUGUSTUS (Saint Ballado), who ran ninth.

“Saint Augustus didn’t have much excuse,” Pletcher said. “He was stuck inside
and about a half-length behind Barbaro and Sharp Humor, but they kicked on and
he didn’t. We’ll regroup with him and maybe take a look at some softer spots.”

The second-favorite, FLASHY BULL (Holy Bull), came home a well-beaten seventh,
but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin blames his poor outing on an electrolyte imbalance
known as “the thumps.”

“They call it the ‘thumps’ because the horse’s body actually thumps a little
bit when they are suffering from it,” McLaughlin said. “It was hot yesterday,
and usually the ‘thumps’ are caused by heat and/or dehydration in the horse’s
body. There are various things you can do, such as an addition of calcium in the
horse’s diet to prevent a recurrence of the condition, so as of right now, we’re
still pointed toward the Kentucky Derby.

“The horse came out of the race sound as he always was, but he ran a sub-par race
and we may have found a legitimate excuse for that performance.”