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Well, it’s one day away from the dreaded draw, that simple tradition that can have even the most hardened racetracker shuddering in fear and apprehension. This is the last hurdle to clear, and if you don’t, it could mean four months of training, racing, worrying, and dreaming right down the proverbial drain.One owner of a Derby horse said just ...

Every year I try and write a blog with name meanings of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) fillies, and this year is no different. I’ve said in past years how I often base my handicapping off of horses’ names, and there are some particularly interesting ones in this year’s field. The Oaks has drawn a full field of 14, with one filly, Oaks Lily, waiting in ...

(Originally published in the May 5, 2012 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column.) By Evan Hammonds   Stallion managers pop a few buttons with pride if one of their sires comes up with the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or Kentucky ...

(Originally published in the May 5, 2012 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column.)  Alex G. Campbell Jr. rarely misses a day at the races. During Keeneland’s spring and fall meets the veteran owner/breeder can almost always be found relishing the ambiance of ...

By definition, a longshot is considered ''a betting interest that is unlikely to win.'' But when you're playing exacta, trifectas, and superfectas in horse racing, a longshot doesn't have to win, he just needs to finish two through four to help you to cash your ticket. For the Kentucky Derby especially, because the pools are so immense, all ...

The works are done, and all that remains are the final gallops and observing how the horses are thriving during the final week. We’ll also look back and comment on the works and gallops we’ve seen over the past three days. As tough as this field is to separate talent-wise, it’s equally tough watching them train. So, in many ways we’re even more ...

(By Avalyn Hunter)  When I saw Dynaformer at Three Chimneys in 2006, my first reaction was ''wow.'' It was not because he was pretty; there have always been plenty of handsomer horses. It was his presence, as massive andpowerful as his body. His was a personality that brooked no rivals. And he had none. At Three Chimneys, better racehorses ...

[brightcove videoid=''1613087548001''] 1 Creative Cause Mike Harrington Giant's Causeway—Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer Makes no sense to displace him from the top spot now. He was full of energy coming off the van and on the track April 29. The bottom line is that he’s as consistent as they come and has never been beaten more ...

The Kentucky Derby trail and short memories go hand in hand. Remember not too long ago when Mark Valeski was the next up-and-coming star, grabbing everyone’s attention with his gutsy nose defeat to El Padrino in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II)? Well, following one throw-out loss in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), it’s now Mark who?Even owner Brereton ...

OK, so you don't know anything about Mike Harrington, trainer of Creative Cause, right? Sure you do. You've seen him a million times in one Western movie or another. You know the scene in almost every movie where the stranger rides into town and approaches an old timer leaning back on his chair, whittlin' a piece of hickory, and asks if there's a ...