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There are a number of interesting new faces competing in the three Derby preps this weekend, as well as several familiar, but forgotten names. From a star appeal standpoint, one would love to see Creative Cause and I’ll Have Another finish 1-2 in the Santa Anita Derby and Gemologist and Alpha 1-2 in the Wood Memorial (not necessarily in that ...

Before handicapping each of the three Derby preps this weekend, let’s ask ourselves a hypothetical question: If Creative Cause wins the Santa Anita Derby, and/or Gemologist wins the Wood and carries an undefeated record to Louisville, will either or both of these be favored over Union Rags in the Kentucky Derby? It will be interesting ...

The most recent weekend saw two Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preps with $1 million purses, and both resulted in upsets. The Florida Derby (gr. I, video) seeing longtime Derby favorite Union Rags and the well-regarded El Padrino finish third and fourth, respectively, behind gate-to-wire scorer Take Charge Indy. The Louisiana Derby (gr. II, video) fell to ...

.commentForm, .postComments, #comments{display:none;} Join Jason Shandler and Tom LaMarra for a series of Live Blogs to discuss the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown.  Live Blogs will be held on April 6, 13, and 20. As well as on Friday, May 4 (Oaks Day), and Saturday May 5 (Derby Day). All blogs begin at NOON Eastern Daylight Time, ...

Last week was a very tough one for the mighty Coolmore/Ashford stallion operation. On March 29 came the news that Montjeu had died in Ireland at the age of 16 after a short illness caused by septicemia, an infection in the bloodstream. Just two days later at Ashford, 17-year-old Grand Slam, who had been enjoying an excellent start to 2012, died as ...

Before last weekend the 2012 Kentucky Derby trail was pretty easy to figure out: Union Rags was at the top of the mountain, and then there was everyone else. A win by Union Rags in the Florida Derby would have sent him to Louisville as the undisputed favorite, no matter what happened in the other final preps. It was shaping up to be a ...

One of the great storylines of this year’s Derby trail is the ongoing love affair between horsewoman Tami Bobo and her “pet” Take Charge Indy, upset winner of the Florida Derby.The affection Bobo has for the son of A.P. Indy can be heard in her voice, which one minute is alive with a youthful exuberance when reminiscing about her days with the ...

(Originally published in the April 7, 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   Racing hasn’t exactly been portrayed in the most favorable light lately. But while there are plenty of national issues that need to be addressed—and ...