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In our previous column we discussed how the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium determines the regulatory thresholds for therapeutic drugs. We looked at this process because the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association at its recent annual conference called for independent research to provide alternatives to RMTC-identified ...

With Todd Pletcher scoring his 4,000th win today, I thought this would be a good time to reprint my recap of the 2007 Belmont Stakes victory by Rags to Riches, which I feel is still Pletcher’s greatest training job. It was also his and John Velazquez’ first classic victory. Not only was this one of the most thrilling Triple Crown races ever, ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Take a deep breath, folks! With just seven weeks remaining until the Kentucky Derby, the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) is the last Derby prep race that falls before the start of the ''final prep races'' on March 26th. In other words, from here on out, the road to the Derby is ...

You all said the Derby memories column wasn’t too long, so wait until you read this one. After sharing my Kentucky Derby memories I figured I might as well keep going and complete the Triple Crown, starting, of course, with the Preakness Stakes, which most members of the media will tell you is the most fun of the three to cover. But with the fun ...

Several weeks ago we questioned the effectiveness of a National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association call for medication research to be conducted, and possibly adopted, independently of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. The HBPA wants the resulting thresholds to be vetted and considered for adoption into the Association of ...

1 Mohaymen Kiaran McLaughlin Tapit—Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union Breezed a half in :49 2/5 as he awaits his big showdown in the Florida Derby, where he will attempt to deprive Nyquist of a $1 million bonus. This actually was the second fastest of 34 works at the distance. Solid, dependable, and professional; this will be his biggest test. ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Thus far along the road to the Kentucky Derby, we've seen some very special horses win Derby prep races, but many handicappers feel that we still haven't seen a true ''wow'' performance yet-the kind of performance where you can say with confidence that if a horse were to repeat the ...