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Barbaro gets encouraging update 5/27/2006 2:53:17 PM KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) - Barbaro received another encouraging update Saturday, one week after the Kentucky Derby winner sustained a life-threatening injury at the Preakness. "All is well," said Corinne Sweeney, executive director at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. Barbaro broke down May 20 shortly after leaving the starting gate at Pimlico Race Course, shattering bones in his right hind leg. The three-year-old bay colt was rushed from Baltimore to the New Bolton Center and underwent six hours of surgery last Sunday. He remains in the intensive care unit, and doctors have said it could be months before they know if the colt can survive what have been termed catastrophic injuries that leave him vulnerable to infection and other life-threatening complications. But all the reports since the surgery have been positive, from Barbaro nearly trotting back to his stall following the procedure, to the former Triple Crown contender displaying his usual feistiness. Barbaro has been fitted with a special shoe on his left hoof. The three-part, glue-on shoe was designed and patented by Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine and helps prevent laminitis, a life-threatening infection that can occur when a horse puts too much weight on its uninjured legs. The shoe extends the length of the left hind foot to match the length of the cast on his right foot. Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby by 6½ lengths and was expected to make a Triple Crown bid before a sudden misstep early in the Preakness ended his racing career. Depending on his recovery, he might still have a career as a stud. Barbaro can expect to receive get-well wishes from fans at Pimlico next week. The track is shipping to the New Bolton Center a one-metre-by-three-metre banner signed by fans. The banner is expected to be hung in the intensive care unit.