Plenty to be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving!
With all of the craziness in racing, from ADW controversies to breakdowns to auction slumps, it’s good to think about the good things on a day like today.  Also, a list is an easy way to blog on a holiday… now before I get angry e-mails from family & friends, this is just a [...]

Now THAT’S A TRUE FAN!

A juror in Sen. Ted Stevens’s corruption trial lied about her dying father and skipped town so she could attend the Breeders’ Cup!!
Marian Hinnant, YOU’RE a TRUE FAN!  I honestly don’t blame her for ditching deliberations to see Zenyatta live.  She was replaced by an alternate juror after not returning court phone calls, but by the [...]

The Aftermath–What About Raven’s Pass?!

The Synthetic Track proved to be a great equalizer for the European contingent, but the American runners were not shamed by any means at Breeders’ Cup 25. 
Raven’s Pass ran a brilliant final furlong under Frankie Dettori, passing defending champ Curlin, rallying Henrythenavigator, and synthetic specialist Go Between.  The 3yo miler by Elusive Quality had spent the [...]

FAVORITE BC RACE #3: JINX-BREAKER

My favorite BC Juvenile is the one I actually got to see in person.  Or close to it.  I attended the 2006 BC at Churchill Downs, where it was cold but sunny, and Bernardini got his ass handed to him by INVASOR.  In true Infield fashion (or close to it, since the actual Infield was [...]

Saturday Breeders’ Cup Selections

I haven’t had a selections post since SAUHBR ended.  It sucks sometimes to have a normal job and not be a professional handicapper 24/7.  Totally missed Ladies’ Day picks, but I think my only exacta picks would have been Stardom Bound and Zenyatta.  But I’ll discuss the racing action further in another post.  This one’s for [...]

Favorite BC Race #4: A SILVERBULLETDAY

I cannot stress how much I love Silverbulletday.  She won practically every time she raced with style and speed.  Bob Baffert trained her, and in those days Bob could do no wrong in my eyes.  I had a SBD hat, decorated my binders with her photos (cropped from the covers of my new Bloodhorse subscription).  [...]

Favorite Breeders’ Cup Race #5: GREATEST COMBACK SINCE LAZARUS

The first time I watched the Breeders’ Cup was the 1996 edition, when the championships were held at Woodbine in Canada.  I was excited to see the legendary Cigar try and repeat in the Classic.  Cigar would fail in his quest, to a grey horse named Alphabet Soup and the Preakness winner Louis Quatorze, but [...]

CURLIN is IN!

THANK YOU Jess and Steve!!!

The Golden Warrior is pre-entered to defend his title in the Classic!  But seriously, who is surprised?  Curlin is already in Cali, why not just go ahead and race him? 
Unless he totally flops on the pro-ride surface, Curlin will be the second 2-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.  [...]

NO DUEL in CLASSIC: BIG BROWN INJURED/RETIRED

Breaking news that I am not surprised about but still hoped I wouldn’t hear :
BIG BROWN was injured during a turf workout at Belmont and will not race in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. 
Now the big showdown for Horse of the Year is shot and I won’t be surprised if Curlin opts out, too.  Of course, [...]

COWBOY CAL SURVIVES INQUIRY

Cowboy Cal
, making his first start since running up the track in the Kentucky Derby, won the steward’s inquiry in the Bryan Station stakes today at Keeneland.  The son of Giant’s Causeway looked unbeatable coming off the final turn, but longshot Seaspeak hooked up with him in deep stretch.  The two dark bay colts slugged [...]