Barbaro walks after surgery

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro underwent surgery Sunday to repair three bones he broke in the Preakness, awoke from anesthesia and "practically jogged back to his stall" for something to eat.

Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's school of veterinary medicine at the New Bolton Center, performed the 5-hour, 10-minute surgery on Barbaro's right-hind leg.

Richardson made it clear the colt's chances for survival are not better than 50-50.

"No one's going to want to hear this," Richardson said. "He's still a coin toss, even after everything went well."

Barbaro, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Edgar Prado, suffered the injuries shortly after leaving the gate in Saturday's Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore.

"Most horses who receive this severe an injury are typically put down on the racetrack," Richardson had said before the surgery. "It's about as bad as it could be."

Barbaro's fractures were above and below the ankle. He also dislocated the ankle joint, doctors said. The pastern bone was in "probably 20-plus pieces," Richardson said afterward.

A metal plate was put in, 23 screws were inserted and the ankle joint was fused, meaning it will not be a joint anymore if the fusion is successful.

When he came out of surgery, Barbaro was lifted by sling and placed on a raft in a pool so he could calmly awake from the anesthetic.

Richardson said the horse "practically jogged back to his stall" and was wearing a cast from just below the hock to the hoof.

"Right now he's very happy," Richardson said. "He's eating, he's doing very good. But I've been doing this too long to know that day one is not the end of things."

Barbaro, who will be at the center for at least several weeks and possibly much longer, did pass another hurdle: Richardson found that the blood supply in the colt's injured leg was adequate.

"From the last time I saw him to now was a big relief," said a visibly fatigued Matz. "They did an excellent job. It's just an amazing thing to see him walk in like that.

"I feel much more comfortable now. I feel at least he has a chance."

Industry insiders said Barbaro owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson have a mortality-insurance policy on the 3-year-old colt, who had won all six of his races before the Grade I Preakness.

Bernardini won the Preakness.

Horses are frequently euthanized after serious leg injuries because circulation problems and deadly disease can arise if they can't distribute weight evenly — and lying down for long periods can cause internal problems.

Richardson estimated medical costs would run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The Jacksons, who live near the clinic, have been major donors to New Bolton Center.

Richardson did not rule out Barbaro's having a future as a stallion. The colt has an impressive pedigree and a proven ability to win on dirt and turf surfaces.

Prado, who was credited by doctors for his quick action in pulling up the colt, said after the race that Barbaro "took a bad step and I can't really tell you what happened."

Flowers, cards, toys and drawings from fans were delivered to the center, and some were displayed in the lobby. One sign read, "Be Well Barbaro." Children brought apples and carrots for the colt.