Category: Racing

Posted on

Start 2018 With Your Kentucky Derby Dream

Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Tale of Ekati, winner of the 2008 Jerome
Tale of Ekati, winner of the 2008 Jerome

Happy New Year!  Be careful with your celebrations tonight because there is a whole lot to look forward to in the fresh new year.  Racing fans, get ready to be thrilled by the brand new 3 year-olds!  When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, all of the Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds celebrate the same birthday, each aging 1 year.  These upcoming 3 year-olds are full of budding talent and well on their way down “The Road to the Kentucky Derby.”

 

Continue reading “Start 2018 With Your Kentucky Derby Dream”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Here Comes Santa…

Collected right before his Lexington Stakes win at Keeneland
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Collected won the 2016 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland
Collected won the 2016 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland

On this fine Christmas Eve many children are eagerly awaiting a visit from their favorite mythical gift giver.  I am looking forward to attending church and spending the day with friends and family.  It is a very special time of the year that requires a great deal of preparation and anticipation.  Then, Christmas Day comes and goes like a flash.  Fortunately, the big guy in red isn’t the only Santa I’m waiting on.  Here comes Santa Claus Anita!

 

Continue reading “Here Comes Santa…”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

When the Stakes are High

Keeneland gained two Grade s stakes for 2018
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
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?

 

Continue reading “When the Stakes are High”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Scat Daddy Divas

Titled, hours before her race at Churchill Downs
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
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.

 

Continue reading “Scat Daddy Divas”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Breeders’ Cup Breakdown

2015 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, American Pharoah's garland
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
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!

 

Continue reading “Breeders’ Cup Breakdown”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Keeneland Continues

Cause to Action, trained by Steve Asmussen, races in a maiden at Keeneland.
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
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.

 

Continue reading “Keeneland Continues”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Miss Temple City Takes It To Keeneland’s Turf

Miss Temple City, winning the Maker's 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
    Miss Temple City, winner of the 2016 Shadwell Turf Mile at KeenelandMiss Temple City, winner of the 2016 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland

Alas, Keeneland is open for live racing again.  I have long awaited, since the end of April, for live Thoroughbred racing to return to my hometown.  Friday, October 6, 2017 at 1:05 PM EDT marks the start of Keeneland’s October meet.  Racing continues through the 28th.  There are so many fantastic things taking place this meet, including two Win And You’re In Breeders’ Cup races the very first day and so many more to follow.  It is hard to know where to begin.  I’m pretty interested in the return of Miss Temple City to my hometrack, where she always finishes in the money!

 

Continue reading “Miss Temple City Takes It To Keeneland’s Turf”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Posted on

Bassett the Benefactress

Titled, in the paddock at Belterra Park
Share This:
Facebooktwitter
Titled, racing at Belterra Park
Titled, racing at Belterra Park

This week started with some sad news.  Social media was on fire with reports that Helen “Penny” Chenery, owner of the great Secretariat had died Saturday, 9/16/17, following a stroke.  There have been countless stories and posts on her passing.  It is wonderful to have this opportunity to reminisce about all the great things Penny did for Thoroughbred racing.  It is equally fascinating that the passing of Penny has created an increased focus on women in racing.  I am really enjoying all of the focus pieces on unique “Queens” that are important to “The Sport of Kings”.  I want to share a bit on the legacy of Lucy Gay Bassett.

 

Continue reading “Bassett the Benefactress”

Share This:
Facebooktwitter