Barbaro

SI Staff | Jul 14, 2006

Barbaro

Bill Frakes/SI

Barbaro, going off at 6:1 odds, won the Kentucky Derby by six-and-a-half lengths, the biggest margin of victory since Assault won by eight lengths in 1946. Assault would go on to win the Triple Crown.

Bill Frakes/SI

At the Preakness, Barbaro had a good start before his right hind leg suddenly gave out after 130 meters. He was untouched when the injury occurred.

AP

Barbaro's jockey, Edgar Prado, uses his body as a crutch as the horse limps off the Preakness track. Barbaro had broken the ankle of his right hind leg.

Bill Frakes/SI

Jockey Edgar Prado looks on, forlorn, as Barbaro is helped into a van at the Preakness. Not only were Prado's hopes for a Triple Crown shot, but leg injuries among horses are known to be frequently fatal.

AP

After undergoing surgery for his career-ending injury, Barbaro was held temporarily in a pool at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania. The school's New Bolton Center is considered the top hospital for horses in the mid-Atlantic region.

AP

Dr. Dean Richardson, who led Barbaro's medical treatment, feeds him a carrot in the intensive care unit at the New Bolton Center. Despite the horse's various ailments, Barbaro had been able to remain relatively active and keep his appetite.

AP

These X-rays, released by the University of Pennsylvania, show how Barbaro's right hind leg bone was held together using screws and plates. Unfortunately, while his right leg healed, Barbaro's left hind hoof would develop a severe case of laminitis.

AP

As well-wishers sent flowers and cards, Barbaro was eventually able to put weight on his right hind leg again. But the damage was already being done: Barbaro had begun to place weight on his left hind leg as a consequence of his injury, and a resultant infection rendered it laminitic.

AP

At the New Bolton Center, jockey Edgar Prado reunited with Barbaro for the first time since the Preakness.

AP

Barbaro, seen here with casts over both hind legs, was said to be fighting for his life due to laminitis on Thursday. Dr. Dean Richardson deemed his chances of survival "poor."