Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro feasts on fresh handpicked grass everyday while he recovers at Penn's large animal hospital, but whether the recuperation time will lead to a full recovery remains unclear.
Barbaro - a colt who fractured his leg severely during the Preakness in May - has been kept under close watch by animal surgeon Dean Richardson, who performed the surgery immediately after Barbaro's injury.
According to the latest update, Barbaro remains in stable condition after a summer of physical ups and downs at the New Bolton Center, located outside of Philadelphia. He had the cast on his hind leg changed Sunday.
"He has made improvements in certain areas, but there are still other issues with this recovery," said Penn School of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman Gail Luciani.
These "other issues" do indicate the end of his career, however, owner and Penn grad Roy Jackson said.
"He seems to be all right, healing slowly, but he will never race again," he said.
Both Roy and his wife Gretchen visit Barbaro every day to check up on his condition and supply him with only the best in hay and grass.
Since Barbaro was admitted to New Bolton Center, he has garnered much national exposure and publicity. Richardson appeared on The Early Show and Good Morning America to discuss Barbaro's status. In addition, an anonymous donation established the Barbaro Fund, which raises money to support the New Bolton Center's needs.
Barbaro's condition will likely remain unpredictable.
"Nobody knows how he's going to turn out," Jackson said. "We wait day to day."
