Racing: Barbaro's condition stable

PITTSBURGH - Kentucky Derby champion Barbaro remained in a stable condition yesterday after receiving a sixth cast since suffering a life-threatening leg fracture in the Preakness Stakes.

"He's tolerating the new cast well," said Dr Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Centre.

Richardson replaced the cast on Barbaro's shattered right hind leg during a three-hour operation on Tuesday and also treated the colt for an abscess in his left hind foot.

"We have changed his left hind foot bandage and that looks improved," Richardson said. "His vital signs remain stable and his attitude and appetite remain excellent."

Richardson last weekend changed the titanium plate and many of the 27 screws inserted into Barbaro's fractured right hind leg during the life-saving surgery.

- REUTERS