I Thought They'd Find Him in Fried Rice

A quick thanks to Jason for sending this my way...

This is a picture of a Cheetos brand cheese puff which (unquestionably) resembles the racehorse Barbaro. Barbaro, who won the hearts of millions when he was whipped into running the fastest time at the 2006 Kentucky Derby, shattered his leg a few weeks later in the Preakness and was destroyed or "euthanized" this past January.

He has now been discovered in Cheeto form, putting to rest once and for all, the rumor that he was sold to the Times Square location of Ruby Foo's Chinese Food (and Tourist) Emporium. It looks like the dead horse industry is hedging its bets on large companies like Frito-Lay instead of the more discrete market of local Asian food proprietors.

The bid for the Barbaro Cheeto is hovering around $50 now. Should the pitch included below intrigue you (or the free shipping), you have roughly 7 more hours to sign on to ebay and make him yours.

Text of the E-Bay Sales Pitch

I couldn't eat him. It wouldn't be right. Everybody loves Cheetos, but we love Barbaro even more. I don't know what made me look at this one before I ate it, know it sounds crazy, but I'm sure I heard Barbaro neighing in my ear. He sounded a little horse, but it was loud enough for me stop eating and look at him. The rest is history and now we can share him with the world!

DATES TO REMEMBER: April 29, 2003-- Barbaro is born. May 6, 2006-- Barbaro wins the Kentucky Derby. May 20, 2006-- Barbaro takes Post Position 6 in the Preakness and breaks his leg (on the day of the birth of the new government in Iraq). January 29, 2007-- Barbaro is euthanized after suffering for 8 months with complications from his broken leg. March 8, 2007-- Barbaro is brought home in a bag of Cheetos. March 13, 2007-- Barbaro is rediscovered. April 24, 2007-- Cheetos Barbaro will expire, BUT YOU CAN SAVE HIM!

Its a miracle that Barbaro has come back to us. Please don't eat him because, unlike a thoroughbred, this one is 15% total fat, 10% saturated fat and 1% cholestorol.

Please do not bid unless you are serious about taking care of Barbaro. Barbaro probably would like to hang around a while longer--NEIGH, HE SAYS HE WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER! So its up to you to make it happen. He needs to be mounted in a place of honor in a good, stable home.

BARBARO LIVES!