Beyond the Blinkers

Kentucky Oaks/Derby iPhoto Essay

Esther Marr — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:34:00 GMT

With this year's Kentucky Oaks and Derby come and gone, I'm left with a lot of memories in the form of photos that I'd like to share. In the past, I've provided lists of my top 10 favorite moments during Derby week, but this year, with so many to choose from, I thought I would give you a photo essay of my experiences. Read my past Derby lists here here and here . Did you attend this year's Derby or...(read more)

KY Oaks Name Game: 2013 Edition

Esther Marr — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:49:00 GMT

The Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) name game is something fun that I've done on this blog for the last few years leading up to the Run for the Lilies. I research as many Oaks contenders as I can to find out their name meanings, and I usually get some pretty interesting stories! Following are some of the explanations I received on this year's stellar field of contenders. Which one is your favorite? Beholder...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Declan's Moon

Esther Marr — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:53:00 GMT

The Retired Racehorse Training Project's "100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge" was comprised of four horses representing four Mid-Altantic Thoroughbred farms, including Samantha Siegel's retired grade I-winning gelding Declan's Moon. ...(read more)

OTTB Program Spotlight: Great Geldings

Esther Marr — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:59:00 GMT

Read the story of Dale Simanton and Dorothy Snowden, who put retired racehorses under western tack and re-train them to be ranch horses, barrel racers, and eventers....(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Metro Meteor

Esther Marr — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:31:00 GMT

Read the story of Metro Meteor, the OTTB that is raising thousands of dollars for a racehorse adoption charity through his paintings. Also, the giveaway winner is announced!...(read more)

OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Esther Marr — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:39:00 GMT

I would like to welcome back Shannon Hahn of Double L Stable Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Argyle, N.Y., who I have featured several other times on Beyond the Blinkers. Over the years since I started this blog, Shannon has come to me with different stories of horses she has helped nurse back to health, rehabilitate, and re-home. This year, in light of Double L's upcoming Valentine's Day fundraiser...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Miss Fifty

Esther Marr — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:20:00 GMT

Read the story of Miss Fifty, a Thoroughbred filly that captivated the heart of racing fan Mary Cage. After following the filly through a career of ups and downs, Mary received the best gift she could have imagined. ...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Danny the Miracle Unicorn Horse

Esther Marr — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:46:00 GMT

Read the story of "Danny the Miracle Unicorn Horse," a brave OTTB that has survived two major health scares and still lives to tell the tale at age 30. ...(read more)

OTTB Update: Windy Jim; Plus a Giveaway!

Esther Marr — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:01:00 GMT

I love it when a past Beyond the Blinkers subject takes the time to email and give me an update on his or her off track Thoroughbred! Do you guys remember the story of Windy Jim as told by owner Jackie Cross in March 2011? (Click here to refresh your memory). Well, Jackie emailed me a few weeks ago to give me an update on the 16-year-old Feel the Power gelding and it sounds like he couldn't be better...(read more)

New Vocations Breeders' Cup Pledge a Success

Esther Marr — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:30:00 GMT

New Vocations, which I have highlighted several times in the past on this blog, has received some exciting results from its 2012 Breeders' Cup Pledge, with more than 17 owners or partnership groups and five trainers committing a portion of their horses' Breeders' Cup earnings to the non-profit organization's mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and re-home retired racehorses. "We definitely had more pledges...(read more)

BC-Bound Flashy Ways Has Teenage Breeder

Esther Marr — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:08:00 GMT

When Chad Reed's parents gave him a $5,000 budget to pick out a mare at the 2009 Keeneland November mixed sale at age 11, he never dreamed it would eventually result in a Breeders' Cup starter. But that's exactly what happened when the adolescent Thoroughbred enthusiast signed the ticket for the Carson City mare Golden Kitty with his father, Rick, at the 2009 Keeneland November mixed sale, after which...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Rahy's Attorney

Esther Marr — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:57:00 GMT

Read the story of Canadian grade I winner Rahy's Attorney, who is being re-trained as a stable pony. ...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Diamonds for Remi

Esther Marr — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:14:00 GMT

Remi Gunn has fallen on times in recent years--from the riding accident that left her paralyzed in 2003--to the financial struggles that almost claimed her farm. But in the wake of the amazing rescue and homecoming of Diamonds for Remi, a horse she bred, owned, and rode during her years as a jockey, Gunn can't recall a period in life when she was more grateful. "(Diamonds for Remi) is doing well--she...(read more)

Saratoga State of Mind

Esther Marr — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:55:00 GMT

My first trip to Saratoga Springs was a whirlwind--four days and nights at the Spa seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, I was returning to Lexington, back to reality....(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Zodiac

Esther Marr — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:28:00 GMT

A year and a half ago, Zodiac was the most critically ill horse to ever come through the gates of the Woodbine, Md.-based Days End Horse Rescue. But thanks to the help from many, he has endured through the darkest of days and gained a second chance at life. Maybe you’ve heard of this charming chestnut gelding, who raced successfully under the name Rhythmic Moves, but was later found starving at a supposed...(read more)

OTTB Adoption Program Spotlight: New Vocations

Esther Marr — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:49:00 GMT

One day last month, I had the privilege of visiting New Vocations’ Lexington facility at West Wind Farm. Located in the heart of the rolling, Bluegrass hills, it’s a beautiful operation and is currently home to 15 horses. Some of its residents have already been adopted and are waiting to transition out of the farm, while others receive daily, progressive conditioning under the guidance of facility...(read more)

Catching a Falling Star

Esther Marr — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:34:00 GMT

Today, I bring you the story of the up-and-coming off track Thoroughbred-turned show horse Constant Star, as told to me by Kimberly Clark: In December 2009, Constant Star was a 2-year-old filly who had two unplaced efforts at Charles Town and Laurel Park and meager earnings of $280. As the promise of having a successful career on the racetrack quickly faded, her future became uncertain. In hopes Constant...(read more)

Kendall Hansen Reveals Future Plans

Esther Marr — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:26:00 GMT

Dr. Kendall Hansen has done it again. The owner/breeder, who is known for pulling such wacky acts as dying his champion colt Hansen’s tail blue prior to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), recently revealed some other unusual plans. Kendall Hansen's future hopes include mating Hansen with the Danzig mare Lady Primrose, who he recently adopted from Omega Horse Rescue. Oh, and he also expressed interest...(read more)

2012 Derby Memories/Preakness Picks

Esther Marr — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Read about my worst betting experience ever, see my Derby pictures (finally), and read about my Preakness picks. Who are yours? ...(read more)

Derby Contender Advice Up for Adoption

Esther Marr — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:30:00 GMT

From Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender to low level claimer, Advice has been given a second chance to find a new calling in life through New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. And, once he’s finished his rehabilitation at the organization, Advice will be looking for a forever home. What better way than a blog on Derby Day to highlight this gelding and the generous band of...(read more)

Speedy Broadway's Alibi Ready for Lilies

Esther Marr — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:15:00 GMT

Anna Ford, racing manager for E. Paul Robsham Stables, had some last minute shopping to do May 3. “We just decided on Sunday (April 29) that we’re going to the (Kentucky) Oaks (gr. I) and I still need to find a dress,” said Ford while standing outside trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn 34 at Churchill Downs, where Broadway’s Alibi was being walked around the shedrow. The daughter of Vindication, who is the...(read more)

Summer Applause Laying Low for KY Oaks

Esther Marr — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:07:00 GMT

Tucked away in Bret Calhoun's barn 22, a considerable distance from the Kentucky Derby backside bustle, is Kentucky Oaks-bound filly Summer Applause, who was casually eating a hearty hay breakfast the morning of May 2....(read more)

Oaks Name Game: 2012 Edition

Esther Marr — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:12:00 GMT

Here is a look at some of the interesting meanings behind the names of this year's Kentucky Oaks fillies. ...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: Doctor Decherd

Esther Marr — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:45:00 GMT

Well, it’s that time of year again! Once again, I will be turning the attention of my blog to all things Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) after this week as we count down to the first Friday and Saturday in May. But first I wanted to bring you this touching story about a sweet gelding named Doctor Decherd, who is now enjoying a peaceful retirement in Texas thanks to the help of a generous group of racing fans...(read more)

OTTB Spotlight: El Bomba--Life After Winning 100th Start

Esther Marr — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:12:00 GMT

It’s about time El Bomba is able to kick up his heels and graze to his heart’s content—he’s earned it. The 13-year-old was turned out to pasture at Erin and Dan Hall’s Caerindoll Farm near Versailles, Ky. early this spring after making his 101st start, and life couldn’t be better for the son of Signal Tap. El Bomba’s career hit an especially sweet note when he won his 100th start at Turfway Park Jan...(read more)