Novak at the Track

#FullStoryPETA Gives Racing a Voice

Claire Novak — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 18:27:00 GMT

When you cover racing 24-7 and this sport is all you see, the good and bad plays out before your eyes....(read more)

Longform Behind the Scenes: Foals & Famous Jocks

Claire Novak — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 18:56:00 GMT

I've been a proponent of longform since day one, and I'm happy to play a role in our efforts to tell some of the great stories in racing using cutting-edge presentation methods. ...(read more)

Road to Derby Retrospect

Claire Novak — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 14:49:00 GMT

Catching up with the winners of last year's Kentucky Derby prep races -- including returns for Vyjack, Itsmyluckyday, Super Ninety Nine, and more....(read more)

What Makes Us Thankful

Claire Novak — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:24:00 GMT

Yes, I'm from one of those families where we have to go around the table and say at least one thing we're thankful for before we're allowed to eat (shout-out to Mom Novak)....(read more)

BC Friday: Why We Do What We Do

Claire Novak — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 15:56:00 GMT

I was looking for something beyond the b.s., something more than "he couldn't be training any better" and "it was exactly what we wanted." Because when you look back to where you came from and remember how much you wanted to be here, it helps you appreciate where you are. ...(read more)

Point of Entry Comes Back Strong

Claire Novak — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 14:45:00 GMT

Five-time grade I winner Point of Entry sailed along his road to recovery from a condylar fracture suffered in early June, and is on track for a comeback in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT)....(read more)

Solitary Ranger: a Breeders' Cup Connection

Claire Novak — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 13:41:00 GMT

When Wayne Catalano saddles Solitary Ranger in the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) on Oct. 5 at Keeneland, the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event will be the next part of a plan that included the World Championships long before the talented juvenile runner broke his maiden....(read more)

Private Zone Gears Up for Cup

Claire Novak — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 22:00:00 GMT

They called him the "Panamaniac," an erratic runner who propped, wheeled, and zig-zagged his way across the strip down at Hipodromo Presidente Remon....(read more)

No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Claire Novak — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 12:37:00 GMT

The best 3-year-old filly in the country might run the race of her life next time out, but even if she does, her connections don't plan on sending her to the Breeders' Cup World Championships....(read more)

Arlington Adventure

Claire Novak — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 19:50:00 GMT

Arlington Park, a pristine mothership of a racetrack planted firmly in the middle of Northwest Chicagoland, is host once each year to the grand and glorious sort of event the place was made for. ...(read more)

Running for Good: Foal Project Subjects Make First Starts

Claire Novak — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 04:42:00 GMT

Luv Dakota Skye will run for the first time this week at Saratoga Race Course, but he's already a winner....(read more)

Mr. Besilu Nears Debut

Claire Novak — Fri, 31 May 2013 16:48:00 GMT

They say patience is a virtue, and in the case of the sales topper now named Mr. Besilu, time will soon tell if the adage rings true....(read more)

Team O'Neill Back for Another

Claire Novak — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:58:00 GMT

Last year's Kentucky Derby winners arrived at Churchill Downs with 2013 contender Goldencents on April 27. The duties of unloading are documented herein....(read more)

Florida Derby Flashback: Ycaza's Wins

Claire Novak — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:09:00 GMT

Flash back with me. Spring of 1962. The target everyone wants to hit, of course, is the Kentucky Derby--but in the meantime, as a stepping stone, the Florida Derby looms....(read more)

A Heart The Size of Texas: Texas Bling

Claire Novak — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:38:00 GMT

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and if that's the case it is easy to imagine that the heart of a Thoroughbred named Texas Bling is biggest of all 3-year-olds competing on the early trail to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). ...(read more)

Saving Potesta, an Unlikely Story

Claire Novak — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:58:00 GMT

But here's the thing about racehorses and horse racing in general: not much goes according to plan. ...(read more)

Shackleford Calls it a Career

Claire Novak — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:45:00 GMT

I remember Shackleford... poking his handsome head out of a stall at Churchill, Pimlico, Santa Anita...rolling in the sand pit outside a Saratoga barn...bouncing along like a helium balloon on the end of a lead shank in photos snapped by racing paparazzi....(read more)

Breeders' Cup Morning with The Fugue

Claire Novak — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 05:13:00 GMT

John Gosden, who has bypassed several tempting race opportunities in his native country to target the Breeders' Cup with The Fugue, strolled along with the cheery but watchful disposition of a man in charge of a very good horse......(read more)

Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Claire Novak — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 12:13:00 GMT

If his trainer were another - less conservative, less reserved - you'd be inclined to doubt the legitimacy of Animal Kingdom's upcoming bid at the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park....(read more)

The New Kid, Pataky Kid

Claire Novak — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:57:00 GMT

When a horseplayer by the name of Andrew Pataky reads of a horse named Pataky Kid, it is of interest to him to discover if this horse will represent the name with dignity and good standing. The Dixiana Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 6 seems like a good start....(read more)

A Horse For Any Course: Wise Dan

Claire Novak — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:26:00 GMT

Early morning at Keeneland Race Course, a hint of rapidly-approaching autumn in the mid-September air. One chestnut gelding saunters through a low-key gate-schooling session. One kind trainer, fingers crossed, counts down the hours until raceday. One thing we know about the horse they call Wise Dan: "He can run on anything," Charles Lopresti remarks....(read more)

Macho's The Man

Claire Novak — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:02:00 GMT

Winner of four of his five starts for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing in recent times, Mucho Macho Man is finding his best stride this year....(read more)

Point of Entry, Photo Tease

Claire Novak — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:32:00 GMT

Sword Dancer Invitational (gr. IT) contender Point of Entry knew how to turn on the racehorse pose - eventually. But first he had to be bribed to come to the front of the stall, and then... ...(read more)

Behind the Scenes with: Grace Hall

Claire Novak — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:38:00 GMT

Alabama Stakes contender poses for pictures, and Claire Novak asks a few questions of owner Michael Dubb and trainer Tony Dutrow....(read more)

New Boys in Town: Visiting Caleb's Posse and Co

Claire Novak — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:27:00 GMT

Novak at the Track is "Novak at the Farm" with a special visit to new Three Chimneys stallions Caleb's Posse & Ice Box, plus the Jim Rome trio of Surfer Girl, her Pulpit filly, and retired claimer Gallatin's Run....(read more)