BloodHorse.com

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) had it all: a close finish, a thrilling run through the stretch, and a lingering controversy. Having all of those elements, along with the usual ramifications on championships carried by North America's richest race, made Bayern's victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park my top choice for ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') On the surface, the first Saturday in December looks like a slow day of racing, with only a single graded stakes race—the $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes (gr. II)—on the agenda. But if you dig a little deeper, you discover that Saturday is also opening day of the Gulfstream Park winter meet, which brings with it the ...

Thirty-five years ago the Arabs started coming to America to buy Thoroughbred racehorses, and everyone in the game was in a frenzy to latch on to a ''Mohammed'' or a ''Khalid'' or some son of the desert. Dogwood Farm—then in Georgia—thought we had rung the bell when we were introduced to Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abudlaziz Al Saud. ...

California Chrome didn’t face the deepest of fields in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT), but his facile victory should be enough to give him an edge in the voting for 3-year-old male championship honors.What voters will have to weigh, however, is whether head-to-head competition or overall record will be the deciding factor in choosing who is the most ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') On Saturday, the very talented and very popular Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner California Chrome will give turf a try for the first time in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (gr. I) at Del Mar, a race that could secure him honors as Horse of the Year and Champion 3yo Male if he wins. But while this race promises ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') In recent years, the nine-furlong, $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) has been won by such well-known horses as Blame (2009), Wise Dan (2011), and Will Take Charge (2013.) This year’s field might turn out to lack the star power of years past (only one grade I winner has been entered), but then again—who knows? ...

The fledgling Retired Racehorse Project is moving its signature event—the Thoroughbred Makeover—to Lexington in 2015. The timing of the move could significantly transform the scope of the organization and its mission.Founded by Steuart Pittman, the Retired Racehorse Project has a simple goal: for the Thoroughbred to recapture its once-sterling ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Get ready, folks! American racing is scheduled to emerge from its post-Breeders’ Cup lull this weekend with a terrific series of races scheduled for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! All told, there are nineteen graded stakes races to be run across those four days, so there’s going to be lots to ...

There is little doubt that Ahmed Zayat is determined to own Thoroughbreds. And there is no greater qualification when it comes to horse ownership than determination and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity.Owning Thoroughbreds is extremely rewarding when you win, which is not often. But it can test one’s resolve like few other ...

If there is one rewarding aspect of Thoroughbred racing today it is the number of horses whose lives were changed for the better because of people who cared and their determination to make a difference and prevent a horse from meeting an unfortunate fate. Anna Simms, a small animal veterinarian from Floyd, Va., and her husband were at ...