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Nomenclature

With the arrival of the new year comes the knowledge that it’s never too early to start thinking about the Derby trail (although the last time I backed a horse in January – a certain Smarty Jones – indeed, the victory did come to pass). I can’t say I’m bowled over by anyone yet, but […]

Broken Dreams and Tax Breaks

Thanks in no small part to our excellent seats in the shade, I had quite a nice Belmont day, which is presumably more than can be said for Big Brown. (I should note that thanks also go to Ventura, Zaftig, J Be K, Silver Edition and Dancing Forever for making our day fairly profitable).

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Belmont Post Positions

I don’t believe that post position is usually much of a factor in the Belmont; while in theory Big Brown could get boxed in behind traffic from the 1, he should have enough natural ability to overcome such adversity.

However, the strategy in the Belmont often seems to be to get the favorite to run […]

More Work To Do

Even if he is victorious at Belmont in a little less than three weeks, Big Brown still has a way to go to prove he belongs in the pantheon with Secretariat et al. — and facing Curlin would go a long way toward addressing that (yes, sometimes I agree with Andrew Beyer — it happens!). […]

Genetics, Stud Fees and Luck

The major news outlets seem to be filling space while waiting for tonight’s Preakness draw (and that’s no bad thing, given that it highlights the sport beyond the Triple Crown to some extent). The New York Times profiles Nicanor (pictured), the full brother to Barbaro, who has recently arrived (video here) at Fair Hill to […]

Derby Favorites

The first Derby horse I have a clear picture of rooting for was Genuine Risk; when she won, I figured this whole picking winners thing was pretty easy. The next horse I recall backing was Slew O’Gold, who finished 4th in 1983. I was back in form with Swale in 1984 (and was devastated when […]

Those Other Derby Preps

The Blue Grass may have the glamorous names, but the Holy Bull and the Arkansas Derby have some wannabes as well. This year’s Arkansas Derby doesn’t have the star power of a Curlin or a Smarty Jones, but it does have some entrants going after graded earnings. Gayego (who has never run over conventional dirt) […]

Whither Randy Moss?

Pity poor John Servis – he had a brush with possible greatness (or at least Very Goodness) with Smarty Jones, had a rough ride with Rockport Harbor and lost Hard Spun to Larry Jones after picking him out for Rick Porter. Now he has a truly thankless task ahead of him – he must attempt […]

Who Will Buy?

The epidemiologists are still on the job in Australia, and they need to be — equine influenza has spread to two breeding farms in the Hunter Valley. Given that the virus is most dangerous to newborn foals and elderly horses, this is especially problematic and could easily scupper the plans under discussion to send some […]

Stud Notes

It’s been a busy week or so in the breeding world; tiny Megahertz had a Giants Causeway colt while Intercontinental’s contribution to her illustrious family is an Empire Maker filly.

Real Quiet is off stallion duty while being treated at NBC for problems with his back feet; I have always felt that he is a […]

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