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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Trainer's broken heart on the mend
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The life-sized statue sits at the front gate of Churchill Downs, a magnificent bronzed Barbaro in full stride, all four hooves off the ground and heading toward his greatest victory.
Muscular and athletic, its presence provokes quiet reflection of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner at the peak of his power and of his death, eight months later, following a horrific injury.
Some leave red roses, others snap photos.
Trainer Michael Matz is hoping another three-year-old colt, Union Rags, can fill the hole in his barn and in his soul.
He sees the same promising signs from Union Rags, who is using the same stall as Barbaro and is the early second choice for Saturday's 138th Derby.
"They're both big, good-looking, fast and athletic. Union Rags still has to live up to what Barbaro did," Matz said.
Matz and owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson all rode a roller coaster of emotion during Barbaro's eight-month fight that had the public rooting for his survival from the hoof infection that developed after he broke his leg in the opening strides of the Preakness two weeks after the Derby. He was euthanized in early 2007.
"He captured a lot of people's hearts," Matz said. "He didn't do much wrong. He was an undefeated horse. Every time we ran him, he won, except the time he got hurt. In the racing community, I think he brought a lot of people together. I even think when he did get hurt, he brought even more people together."
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 4, 2012 C5
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