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Ky. Derby Trail: Catching up on the Sleepers

Our report on this weekend’s stakes action will appear on Tuesday, but for now there are several allowance and maiden races from the past several weeks that should be touched on, based solely on observation....

Ky. Derby Trail: Leave the Training to Trainers

Over the past decade or so, racing has seen a new breed of owner enter the sport, many with a corporate philosophy. And like most corporations, there is the need for a manager, whether he or she goes by the title of GM or in this instance racing manager....

Ky. Derby Trail: A Challenge to the Derby Dozen

The following is the Derby preview article that will appear in the Feb. 12 issue of the Blood-Horse. But before we get to that, let's try something different this year. Debuting this week is the Derby Dozen. But what are the chances even half of those horses listed will even make it to Churchill Downs? And what are the chances the Derby winner is among them? ...

Ky. Derby Trail: A Ghost of a Chance

Next week, Blood-Horse magazine officially kicks off its Kentucky Derby coverage with a Derby preview cover story, the Derby contenders' racing and pedigree profiles, and, of course, the Derby Dozen....

Visiting Zenyatta

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Our vehicle, driven by David Ingordo, passed through the security gate and headed down a long tree-lined road. You could feel the anticipation. The image that came to mind was Dorothy and company heading down that long corridor to see the Wizard of Oz. Only this time there would be no shooting flames and deceptive illusions. There would be only Zenyatta, in the flesh, a million miles from the world she inhabited for the past three years....

Kentucky Derby Trail: Derby ProMo

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It is now 2011 and that means we have officially embarked on the Kentucky Derby trail. Here in the East it's been difficult to see even the slightest hint of rose blossoms buried beneath 20-30 inches of snow drifts. But, heck, they've already run the first Derby prep (the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct)....

A Fast, But Oddly Paved Road

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With all the talk surrounding the Zenyatta -- Blame Horse of the Year battle, the brilliant, but sometimes strange career of Quality Road has quickly faded from public consciousness, due in good part to the colt's uncharacteristic last-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Quality Road will be remembered for his brilliance and personality....

A Response to "I Lied"

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The following essay by retired Quebec English teacher Abigail Anderson was written in response to my last blog on Zenyatta. Although it is quite long, it is so brilliantly written and researched I felt it should be shared it with everyone....

I lied

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I stated in my last blog that it would be the last one on Zenyatta. Well, now that her farewell appearances at Hollywood and Keeneland have come and gone, I have discovered the Zenyatta reservoir is a lot deeper than I thought. ...

The Journey Ends

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Yes, there is room for one final Zenyatta column. Farewells have a way of inspiring them....

Hangin' With Haskin: Farewell to a Queen

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It is finally time to say goodbye. Mighty Mare Zenyatta has been retired; and this time it is official, as she departs for Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky. in early December....

Zenyatta Stirred the Emotions

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Zenyatta has inspired people like none before her....

Breeders' Cup Classic Recap: One for the Ages

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With darkening skies creating an almost surreal atmosphere, Blame and Zenyatta put on a show for the ages in the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Classic. ...

Countdown to the Cup: Fields Taking Shape

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Now that the preps for the Nov. 5 and 6 Breeders’ Cup have been completed, it is time to go over all the races and see who will be and might be showing up....

Rachel and the Woodward

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Looking back at Rachel Alexandra's Woodward triumph, as she leaves Saratoga for a new life....

Rachel Explanation Needed

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I guess it was too much to hope for to have Rachel Alexandra retire in a normal manner....

Hangin' With Haskin: Secretariat 2010

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A link to my story on Secretariat.com discussing what if Secretariat raced in today's high-tech age, and another perspective on the Disney film. ...

The Life and Death of Seattle Slew

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A look at one of the great racing stories of all time....

Big Red on the Big Screen

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Part 3 of my Secretariat trilogy is a review of the long-awaited film that opens nationwide on Oct. 8. For those who wish to see the movie with an open mind and not be made aware of its flaws, you can just read the opening and closing graphs....

When Big Red Was Little Red

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Secretariat's grooms at The Meadow remember Big Red....

The Real Secretariat

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Steve Haskin offers a different look at Big Red...

Countdown to the Cup: Golly Gio, the Classic?

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With a number of question marks regarding this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) hopefuls, why shouldn't the connections of Gio Ponti give the Classic serious consideration?...

Countdown to the Cup: The Road Keeps Going

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So, Quality Road is back on track and headed to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)....

Retire Rachel? Why?

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It didn't take long for the "Retire Rachel" cries to be heard. I can't really criticize those who believe Rachel's reputation has suffered, and feel each race compromises her legacy. ...

Countdown to the Cup: Second Life

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For Life At Ten, it's been a long, eventful journey to the Personal Ensign....