by Nathan Southern
synopsis
The documentary Barbaro: A Nation's Horse explores the legacy of the great stallion Barbaro, regarded by many Americans in early 2006 as a sure bet for the prestigious Triple Crown, thanks to his 6 1/2 length win at the Kentucky Derby -- until he suffered a severe injury at the outset of the Preakness Stakes. At that point, the hopes of many fans suddenly hinged not on victory but on the horse's survival per se, as they waited on pins and needles for the steed to recover. This program interweaves lengthy footage of Barbaro at the Derby and Preakness with a series of exclusive interviews; subjects include jockey Edgar Prado, veterinarian Dean Richardson, Barbaro's owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson and horse trainer Michael Matz.
