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. ...
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Steve Haskin says to let California racing fans have their day....
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Blame helped celebrate Claiborne Farm's 100th anniversary with a dramatic win in the Whitney....
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Many racing fans are prepared to state emphatically that Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are two of the best, if not THE best, fillies of the past half-century. The list from which to chose, however, is longer than most think....
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Behind-the-scenes look at 2004 BC Classic...
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The story of Awesome Gem continues......
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Although Awesome Gem has won only six of 35 starts in his career and was winless in 2008 and is winless this year, he has compiled a record that should make him one of the most endearing horses in the country....
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Although one can only speculate what the thinking of Team Rachel is, here are some possibilities, going so far as to look ahead and coming up with a possible schedule leading up to the Breeders' Cup....
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It's Zenyatta vs. Rachel at Saratoga and you are there....
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The following was written by my daughter Mandy for the May 3 issue of Stride magazine, accompanied by photos. ...
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Pardon the self indulgence that follows, but it is being used in good part to point out how someone can easily go astray on the Kentucky Derby Trail - namely me. ...
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Steve takes one final look at Zenyatta....
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Thoroughbred racing in 2010 consists of three universes, all moving in parallel lines. One is the Triple Crown trail, which possesses an aura all to itself and is oblivious to any other existing worlds....
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The truth of the matter is that the Apple Blossom showdown turned into one big mess....
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Steve Haskin's Apple Blossom Diary: March 10 - March 12....
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Steve Haskin's Apple Blossom Diary: March 1 - March 9....
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Steve Haskin's Apple Blossom Diary: Feb. 11 - 27....
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Oaklawn Park made all the right moves with their big Apple Blossom announcement. They put up the money, the changed the distance, and in short they dangled one heckuva carrot in front of Jess Jackson and Jerry and Ann Moss....
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As the field passed the three-eighths pole in the 135th Belmont Stakes, the massive, rain-drenched crowd, snake bitten by years of dashed hopes, braced for the inevitable. They had been here four of the past six years, and eight of the past 25 years, hoping to be part of history. Each time, their cheers fell silent....
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No story in the past decade transcended the Sport of Kings more than Barbaro's eight-month struggle to survive. To everyone, he became a symbol of courage and determination....
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Pleasantly Perfects caps off trainer Dick Mandella's historic feat of winning four Breeders' Cup races in one year, capturing the 2003 Classic over Medaglia d'Oro....
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Call it fate. Call it kismet. Whatever title you prefer, Rags to Riches seemed destined to give trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez their first classic winner....
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Afleet Alex's escape from certain disaster in the 2005 Preakness was one of the most amazing displays of athleticism and courage ever witnessed....
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A look back at Birdstone's Belmont triumph, which ended the Triple Crown dream for Smarty Jones....
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As mentioned, to keep this blog active over the holiday season, I am reprinting a series of race recaps, mainly from the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup, that originally were published on Bloodhorse.com over the past decade. First up...Smarty Jones....
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