Category: Educational

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When the Stakes are High

Keeneland gained two Grade s stakes for 2018
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La Coronel won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in October, but her April win in the Applachian, both at Keeneland, is now a Grade 2 stakes for 2018
La Coronel won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in October, but her April win in the Applachian, both at Keeneland, is now a Grade 2 stakes for 2018

As November wrapped there was a special meeting in the Horse Capital of the World.  A select group, belonging to the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association met in Lexington, KY.  These members are on the American Graded Stakes Committee.  They were tasked with the annual selection process of grading stakes races in the United States.  After a delicate 2 day process that looked at over 800 stakes races the committee determined 455 worthy stakes for 2018.  Did your favorite track and races meet their standards?

 

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WinStar Wonderment

Pioneerof the Nile at WinStar
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WinStar super stud, Pioneerof the Nile
WinStar super stud, Pioneerof the Nile

On the Monday preceding the Thanksgiving holiday, I seized the day (a little Carpe Diem pun) and took a tour at WinStar Farm.  This modern but magnificent horse farm has been on my to do list since I began my website nearly three years ago.  Good things do come to those who wait because WinStar just keeps adding champions to their sire roster.  At over 20 stallions there was so much to see so I’ve selected some to share.

 

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November by the Numbers at the Keeneland Sale

Stellar Wind, sales topper at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale
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Stellar Wind strikes a $6 million dollar pose
Stellar Wind strikes a $6 million dollar pose

The 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale concluded yesterday, 11/18/17.  It was a spectacular sale with high demand for the best quality weanlings, mares and horses of racing age.  With so much to say in the recap, I think it might be best to let the numbers speak for themselves.

 

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Scat Daddy Divas

Titled, hours before her race at Churchill Downs
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Two, Scat Daddy sisters, race at Churchill Downs
Two, Scat Daddy sisters, race at Churchill Downs

What a week it has been.  Since my last post I have attended Thoroughbred sales at both Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland and live racing at Churchill Downs.  I have witnessed the sale of champions like Tepin, Stellar Wind, Catch A Glimpse and Songbird, seen the weanling foals of sires like American Pharoah and Medaglia d’ Oro and enjoyed racing at the home of the Kentucky Derby.  A common thread at the auctions and the track are the impressive and primarily female offspring of the late Scat Daddy.

 

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Breeders’ Cup Breakdown

2015 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, American Pharoah's garland
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American Pharoah at stud following his 2015 Grand Slam in the Breeders' Cup
American Pharoah at stud following his 2015 Grand Slam in the Breeders’ Cup

Good morning racing fans!  Today is the day we have been waiting for.  The finale of our 2017 champion racing season is upon us.  For 2 days only, we will witness a lucky 13 signature races that will define many of the world’s best champion Thoroughbreds.  Welcome to the Breeders’ Cup!

 

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Breeders’ Cup Countdown: From Kentucky to California

Racing at Keeneland October, 2017
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And They're Off! At Keeneland 10/17
And They’re Off! At Keeneland 10/17

The best 17 days of Fall are over in the Bluegrass.  Keeneland Racetrack, in Lexington, KY ended their Fall Meet yesterday on a high note filled with many records and new memories.  It was a special meet filled with quality Thoroughbreds, trainers, jockeys and owners.  An outstanding 31 horses that raced and trained at Keeneland this October are pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup.  The BC World Championships will be held at Del Mar in California on November 3rd and 4th.  Final entries for each of the lucky 13 races will post tomorrow.  Return to this same post for updates.  For now, here is a bit more on the BC bound Thoroughbreds that came through Keeneland this month.

 

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Keeneland Continues

Cause to Action, trained by Steve Asmussen, races in a maiden at Keeneland.
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Zing Zang, competes in a maiden for Steve Asmussen at Keeneland.
Zing Zang, competes in a maiden for Steve Asmussen at Keeneland.

Although it seems we have only just begun,  Keeneland initiates its final week of the Fall meet today.  The meet is brief but jam packed with quality racing.  Thoroughbreds took to the track for live racing on October 7th and will continue to race there until the 28th.  I will be present for the final two days of action.  There have been several stand out horses, trainers, jockeys and owners involved in this October racing season.  I met and had my picture made with one of  my long time favorite jockeys, Big Money Mike Smith.  A stand out trainer I have been following this Fall, at Keeneland, is Steve Asmussen.

 

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Praise for Penny

A Celebration of Life for Penny Chenery
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Penny Chenery, A Celebration of Life
Penny Chenery, A Celebration of Life

Today, I attended A Celebration of Life for the late, great, Penny Chenery.  Helen Bates “Penny” Chenery Tweady entered the world on 1/27/1922.  Though she lived a full 95 years, she left too soon when she passed last month on 9/16/2017.  Gone but never to be forgotten, the legends Penny and her horses like Secretariat and Riva Ridge blazed will last eternally.

 

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