Encouraged Prado Pays Barbaro a Visit

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(from Belmont Park report)
Jockey Edgar Prado drove to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa. Friday morning to visit ailing Classic winner Barbaro at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Dr. Dean Richardson, the colt's primary veterinarian, described Barbaro's chances of recovering from laminitis in his left-hind leg as "poor." But Prado, who rode the colt to victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), said he has not lost faith.

"He looked much better than I thought he would," said Prado, who left New York at 4:30 a.m. and spent about 2 1/2 hours with Barbaro before heading back to Belmont Park for its Sunset Friday card. "He is very smart, and he knew me right away. I fed him, walked with him and he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep.

"It is a very bad situation," said Prado, who returned to Belmont to win the second and third races on Friday. "But he has the will to overcome this."

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