From the recording Omnia Improvisus Ad Infinitum
Feat. David Smith-Bass, Cris Bissell-Washboard
"Barbaro (April 29, 2003 – January 29, 2007) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2006 Kentucky Derby but shattered his leg two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes which ended his racing career and eventually led to his death.
On May 20, 2006, Barbaro ran in the Preakness Stakes as a heavy favorite, but, after a false start, he fractured three bones in and around the fetlock of his right hind leg. The injury ruined any chance of a Triple Crown in 2006 and ended his racing career. The next day, he underwent surgery at the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania for his injuries. In July he developed laminitis in his left rear foot. He was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent five further operations, and his prognosis varied during an exceptionally long stay in the Equine Intensive Care Unit at the New Bolton Center. While his right hind leg eventually healed, a final risky procedure on it proved futile because the colt soon developed further laminitis in both front hooves. His veterinarians and owners concluded that he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007" - Wikipedia
Lyrics
Step up to the gates now.
You’re favored two to one.
Once you cross the start line,
your pendulum’s been swung.
Just another sure thing
washed down the drain.
Walk head high, promenade,
southern grace on display.
You thought that you
could outrun a curse.
Fate has a plan for you first.
Trained all your life now.
You were your father’s son.
Brought up by the hand of
a great Olympian.
Wash away the roses with the
champagne. You caught up to a
dream, but bad luck looked your
way. You thought that you
could outrun a curse.
Fate has a plan for you first.
Lay down your head now.
Sedation has begun.
You’ve broken your leg now.
Your last race has been run.
Don’t think that I’ve ever seen
such focused apathy
for one soul.
Lullaby, sing you to sleep,
carry you peacefully
to the next world.
If you want some help from me,
I’d be happy to see you on.
The race you ran couldn’t be
any less than destiny.
How you’ve won.
So lay down your head now.
Sedation has begun.
You’ve broken your leg now.
Your last race has been run.
Lay down your head now.
Sedation has begun.
Heaven holds a place for
such a champion.