LOUISVILLE, Ky.—
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will be honored at the site of his greatest triumph a week before this year's Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.The track said Thursday a bronze statue honoring the colt's spectacular 6 1/2-length victory in the 2006 Derby will be unveiled April 26.
The announcement comes on the second anniversary of Barbaro's death and two days before full brother Nicanor is to make his racing debut at Gulfstream Park.
Sculptor Alexa King is designing the statue, which showcases Barbaro in mid-stride with jockey Edgar Prado aboard as the two pulled away from the rest of the 20-horse field. Some of Barbaro's ashes are expected to be placed inside the base of the statue.
"Roy and I want to portray Barbaro as we remember him best a beautiful racehorse and an athlete," said co-owner Gretchen Jackson."
Barbaro injured his right hind leg a couple hundred yards into the Preakness Stakes two weeks after his win at the Derby. His eight-month battle for survival drew an outpouring of support from across the country and brought renewed attention to track safety and horse breeding practices.
The Jacksons will be at Gulfstream to watch Nicanor run in a 1-mile maiden event on Saturday.
"I have nothing but just great feelings toward Barbaro and I'll celebrate the fact that we had him for a short period of time," Gretchen Jackson told The Associated Press. "The eventual outcome was sad, but we hold the greatest, fondest memories of him and look forward to seeing another one out of that family run."
Prado will be aboard Nicanor. He asked to get the mount, calling it the next chapter in Barbaro's story.
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