The Derby Brothers

The Ortiz brothers race before the first turn at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes!
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Good Magic wins this ride for Jose Ortiz in the Blue Grass Stakes to earn the second spot on the leaderboard for the 2018 Kentucky Derby!
Good Magic (#11) won this ride for Jose Ortiz in the Blue Grass Stakes to earn the second spot on the leaderboard for the 2018 Kentucky Derby!

Oh, lucky day!  With just 13 days left on the countdown to the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby there is still so much to consider when choosing a favorite.  With a field of 20 contenders it is still best to wait for the post position draw on Tuesday to make any hasty decisions.  It is a good time to think about all 40 athletes that will face off on 5/5/18.  The Thoroughbreds always capture my attention and imagination but what thought do I give the jockeys?  Having spent time in and around Keeneland’s jockey quarters this spring meet I have paid more attention to their influence.  In this story, I want to focus on two jockeys that will compete in the upcoming KY Derby, the brothers Ortiz.

 

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Foaling In Love

A newborn foal at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale
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A newborn foal at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale
A newborn foal at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale

The new year is here and it’s about time for a foaling frenzy!  Due to the January 1st birthday, that all Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds must share, it is of upmost importance that no newborn be born prior to that day but we see a rapid upswing in foals thereafter.  A few foals have already made their arrival.  Literally, several hundred per sire are on the way, fathered by the most popular of studs.  Most horse farm tours are open to stallion visits but naturally the very pregnant mares and new foals are sheltered and protected.  My best chances, for now, of seeing the babies, is at the sales.  With the majority of the broodmares currently pregnant there are usually a few who give birth while they are in the sales barns.  I am hoping to see some of the newest foals to the Thoroughbreds, we love so much, tomorrow.  Read on to see which foals I am in most anticipation of as I am foaling in love.

 

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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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Miss Temple City Takes It To Keeneland’s Turf

Miss Temple City, winning the Maker's 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland
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    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!

 

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Greentree Graves at Gainesway

Tapit-Colonial Flag filly at Gainesway Farm
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While preparing for the yearling sales this season I had the nice fortune of visiting five Kentucky Thoroughbred farms in just one day.  A few farms were new to me and others were more familiar.  One farm I had visited before was Gainesway Farm in Lexington, KY.  I have been on their stallion tour and stood in awe of the beautiful and great Tapit.  Stallion tours are quite popular and I truly enjoy them but there is so much else going on at the horse farms.  This time I saw another part of the expansive Gainesway Farm including one of several Thoroughbred graveyards.

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