We are getting closer to Friday's and Saturday's Breeder Cup events, held this year at Churchill Downs. While everyone is talking about the Classic which will be Zenyatta's last race, Alex Brown has written a nice piece about the added attraction of the Barbaro Memorial statue, which many visitors to Churchill Downs will get to see for the first time.
As Brown points out, Barbaro is the only horse to be buried on the actual property of the track. Brokers Tip, Swaps, Carry Back, Sunny's Halo and Eight Belles are all buried in the little cemetery right outside the Kentucky Derby museum. Barbaro is buried right outside the main entrance to the track itself.
Because of it's location, visitors to the track have access to the statue without paying an admission fee which was one of the Jackson's intentions. This statue, even unlike the one that honors Secretariat in the paddock at Belmont, is accessible without entering the track, making it a popular spot for the legions of Barbaro's fans. It has also become a meeting place for all visitors to the track. "I'll meet you at Barbaro," can often be overheard.
Let us all hope that the Breeder's Cup races will be run without incidents that necessitate the creation of memorials to any more champion horses.
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