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In Defense of the Dirt Marathon

This post also appears on The Blood-Horse.

There are certainly some reasons to criticize the Dirt Marathon. You can argue that it is a misnomer; it isn’t even really on dirt, and much of the rest of the racing world finds its mile and a half distance rather less than daunting. You might point […]

Breeders’ Cup Super-Generic Overview

It’s the Tuesday before the Breeders’ Cup, and that means that any dithering over cross entries will be resolved at today’s post position draw. With fourteen races spread over two days, it’s not a terribly long time to study the fields. With that in mind, here is your most basic of basic overviews of each […]

Just Because Everyone Else Is Doing It…

This week’s Star 3-Year-Old Retiree is New Approach. He’s had a tremendous year — becoming only the third horse to win the Dewhurst, the Derby and the Champion Stakes. With eight wins from eleven starts, the son of Galileo heads off into the sunset to become a Darley stallion. So why the rush? In this […]

Horses Americans Should Know VI: Raven’s Pass

Welcome to readers of The Blood-Horse; today’s post is one in a semi-regular series called Horses Americans Should Know.

With the uproar over Big Brown’s retirement, the confirmation that Curlin will be defending his title and the news that both Henrythenavigator and Duke of Marmalade will be contesting the Breeders’ Cup Classic, one strong […]

Breeders Cup Pre-Entries: Some Oddities

Breeders’ Cup pre-entries (full list here – PDF warning) are in, and it’s a record crop of Europeans – 35 this year. I’m interested to see King of Rome down for the Dirt Marathon (along with Casino Drive, although the Classic is still his first choice) rather than the Turf; given what looks like a […]

NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Report

Along with my fellow distaff racing bloggers Jess and Dana, I attended the NTRA’s Safety & Integrity Alliance press conference this morning. While acknowledging that the NTRA lacks centralized control over the industry in the US, Robert Elliston, the executive chairman of the NTRA (and president of Turfway Park) framed it as a ‘convening authority’ […]

Breeders’ Cup Musings

With Big Brown’s retirement, the Breeders’ Cup Classic seems wide open (or at least it will until we know who is pre-entered on Thursday). Curlin is still the desired headliner, of course, and while his workout yesterday seemed to please both trainer Steven Asmussen and owner Jess Jackson, his appearance in the race is still […]

But How Will His Stud Fee Be Affected?

Finally, someone is asking the important questions about Big Brown’s retirement!

Case Clay, president of Three Chimneys, said he’s saddened by the news and isn’t sure when Big Brown would arrive at the farm.

“We’re just going to let the horse kind of dictate that, let him heal from his foot injury and […]

Speaking of Retirements…

Here’s one you really knew was coming: Big Brown. From the Blood-Horse:

“Big Brown has been retired,” said Michael Iavarone, co-owner of IEAH Stables. “He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half the foot was torn off. We did everything we could to get to the Breeders’ Cup. It’s devastating. And […]

As Per Usual…

Sigh.

Yes, we suspected it was coming, but the news is official now; Zarkava has been retired. There are plenty of less-than-pleased fans on the BBC’s 606 site and I freely admit I’m on the ‘annoyed’ side.

There’s no question Zarkava has little left to prove in terms of demonstrating her class (unbeaten in seven […]