Barbaro's Brothers

Yesterday was a BIG News day for Fans of Barbaro. First came the wonderful news that there is a new full brother to Barbaro, a colt who was born May 19. Word is that the baby is a big boy and mother, La Ville Rouge and colt are presumed to be doing fine.

Then came the news, via Greg Jone's blog, Family of Barbaro, that Brother #3 Margano, will not be trained by Michael Matz. Instead, Margano has been shipped to Belmont where he is under the tutelage of Barclay Tagg, who also trains for the Jacksons. Barclay Tagg and Gretchen Jackson are childhood friends; they went to school together and the Jacksons have traditionally split their horses between the two trainers.

What is different is that the Jacksons have also traditionally kept horses of the same family with the same trainer. That is how Michael Matz ended up with Nicanor and Lentenor. It is unusual for them to change their pattern but certainly not unheard of.

Mrs. Jackson has always had a special feeling about this "baby." If you remember he was the one who needed surgery right after he was born and I think since then, she has had a special spot in her heart for him. It is certainly an owner's right to choose what ever trainer they wish and maybe they felt it was time to share the "wealth" so to speak.

Tagg has been an on again off again presence at Fair Hill so I think the fact that, for the moment, he is based at Belmont, may have actually made the decision a little easier. It would indeed be difficult to change trainers if the two were in close proximity to each other.

The photo above, from Greg's blog, shows Margano on the track at Belmont. He is all the way on the right and certainly looks like a big, strapping fellow. Keep your eyes open for him to make his maiden debut in the Fall if he shows promise.

Four boys...I know lightening rarely strikes twice, but I know the Jacksons are hoping that one of them has the "right stuff." And I know they keep wishing for that elusive filly. . .