What's Going On Here

Blood-Horse editorial commentary on Thoroughbred racing issues, people, horses and more

Customer Service - By Dan Liebman

The blog software being used by Daily Racing Form on its Web site never experienced a problem with only allowing 100 comments on a post until Steve Crist asked readers how they perceived medication issues in Thoroughbred racing. ... Read More

Night Fever - By Dan Liebman

In the midst of a stinging defeat for expanded gaming in Kentucky, it was discovered that people will still attend a racetrack - without slots - and have fun doing so. But not for the same old stale product.... Read More

Ward of the World - By Dan Liebman

It's a shame Vincent O'Brien didn't hang on a couple more weeks. The legendary Irish trainer, who died June 1 at age 91, would have loved the just-concluded Royal Ascot meeting, in particular the success enjoyed by American conditioner Wesley Ward.... Read More

Forever Young - by Dan Liebman

Veterinarian Robert Copelan had this to say about W.T. Young: "I often wonder what would have happened had the phone been busy (the first time Young called). Meeting W.T. Young was that bolt of lightning; the most important thing to happen to me in my life." ... Read More

Nick of Time - by Dan Liebman

Nicking services have been available to Thoroughbred breeders for years, but, unfortunately, they did not take the entire pool of foals into consideration. Until, that is, Blood-Horse Publications, in conjunction with Pedigree Consultants owners Alan Porter and Byron Rogers, brought TrueNicks to the market.... Read More

Better Betting - by Dan Liebman

In light of two recent episodes of wagering integrity - or lack of same - it appears the industry has done little since being warned a decade ago that its infrastructure was woefully inadequate.... Read More

Shrinking Starters - by Dan Liebman

Speaking to shareholders May 7 via conference call, Churchill Downs Inc. president and chief executive officer Bob Evans said, "The solution for tracks without slots is to cut purses, to cut races, and race days, or to cut all three."... Read More

Wild and Wooley

Trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. had a rough start to the year. He crashed his motorcycle in some gravel and broke his leg, and his stable was having a tough time winning races, with one lone maiden winner from 32 starts.... Read More

Hall Call - by Dan Liebman

While spending a spring morning watching horses gallop at Keeneland in 1990, I met a relative newcomer to training Thoroughbreds. He was searching for the clockers, and as it was his first trip to the Kentucky track, the West Coast-based conditioner was unaware they timed horses from the press box.... Read More

A Cruel Week - by Dan Liebman

Two stories from New York made headlines last week, but the fact they were linked together by some as being indicative of the current problems existing in the Thoroughbred industry was off base. ... Read More

Field Size Matters - by Dan Liebman

On a beautiful spring day in Central Kentucky April 4, it was easy to see why Keeneland was considering a major expansion to its facility (now on hold due to the current state of the economy). With the fifth-highest attendance in its history--30,550--the place was bursting at the seams.... Read More

Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

The recent passing of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winners Lil E. Tee and Alysheba and Well Armed's major victory have caused memories to come flooding back, from the world's richest race in Dubai to the world's most famous race in Louisville, Ky.... Read More

Bravo - by Dan Liebman

Why are fewer horse races nationally televised today? Viewers are telling ESPN that horse racing ranks low on their "must see" list of sports.... Read More

Building Blocks - by Dan Liebman

It was a casual introduction, nearly 25 years ago now, at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November breeding stock sale. Remember his name, the man said, because you are going to hear a lot from him. We’ve all heard that before; only this time it was true—we have heard a lot from Frank Stronach in the ensuing years.... Read More

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