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Innovation and commitment to excellence were honored Sept. 28 at the Thoroughbred Club of America’s 83rd Annual Testimonial Dinner. Three veterinarian pioneers—Dr. Edward Fallon, Dr. Gary Lavin, and Dr. Larry Bramlage—were each recognized by their peers and the racing community for their groundbreaking contributions to reproductive, diagnostic, ...

How much will recent experience at Santa Anita Park help undefeated Shared Belief in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I)?It can’t hurt. That would be my quick assessment.Sure the sample size is too small but what fun would a look back be if we didn’t think it meant a little something? In the past seven Breeders’ Cup Classics contested at ...

Although Super Saturday in New York and California had several twists that no one was expecting, it did help clarify the Breeders’ Cup picture to some extent, but also raised questions as well.How ironic and strange is it that Victor Espinoza in the span of two weeks gets criticized for being on both ends of jockey gang-up tactics? First he gets ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Although I’m sure many race fans are still trying to absorb the epic racing action of yesterday afternoon, those that overlook Sunday’s racing action will be missing out on a pair of key preps for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I). These prep races are ...

Raise your hands if you think I’m out of my mind saying that Micromanage has a shot in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at a monster price? OK, hands down. I can’t help it, those old-fashioned-type stayers get to me in this modern world dominated by speed. There are a number of good horses entered in the Gold Cup, but no world beaters. The ...

The Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold CupBelmont Park / September 27 / Race 10 / 5:50 EDT by TimeformUS Analyst Mike Beer Get started with FREE TimeformUS PPs for the Jockey Club Gold CupConsidering the recent high-profile retirements of Will Take Charge and Palace Malice (we know, he may come back to race again in 2015), this year's running of ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') There’s little doubt in my mind that of all the days of racing throughout the year, ''Super Saturday'' is one of the greatest. As usual, an incredible ten grade I races—five at Belmont, five at Santa Anita—are scheduled to be run on Saturday, along with the grade II Kelso Handicap at Belmont. It’s going to ...

A California Chrome victory in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) would follow one of the more unique preparation schedules of a winner in the race’s history. While there were no Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In,” races over the weekend of Sept. 20-21, the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) certainly deserves close scrutiny with ...

Theresa Fitzgerald was in Kentucky just when the Thoroughbred racing industry and The Blood-Horse needed her most.The former librarian, who passed away Sept. 13 at age 87, took a chaotic mix of books, newspaper and magazine clippings, and staff-maintained card files and turned them into what was arguably the most comprehensive archive devoted to ...

Not to put any pressure on Shared Belief in Saturday’s Awesome Again Stakes, but racing desperately needs a victory by the son of Candy Ride. Actually, it needs an impressive victory, not so much in the margin, but the manner in which he achieves it.Why does racing and the Breeders’ Cup need Shared Belief to win? Because there ain’t nuthin’ ...