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Not everyone likes to be first out of the box. Being first sometimes has its advantages while introducing a new product line or setting pricing, but being in front can also leave a business out in the cold. Back in the formative days of the commercial bloodstock world, “Cousin” Leslie Combs II, master of Spendthrift Farm, wanted to be out front. ...

There are few mountains left for trainer Todd Pletcher to scale. While the veteran horseman is not yet in the Hall of Fame—he’s sure to be a first-ballot entrant when he becomes eligible in 2021—he ranks first among trainers all-time with more than $395 million in earnings. He’s won two Kentucky Derbys (G1): Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Six weeks ago, the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) was expected to be something of a two-horse showdown. Pacific Classic (G1) winner Maximum Security, the champion 3-year-old male of 2019, was supposed to cruise through the fall and enter the Breeders' Cup as a standout among older ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Who's ready for another exciting weekend of racing? Four weeks out from the Breeders' Cup, there are plenty of high-class events to anticipate across North America. No fewer than 11 graded stakes events are on the agenda, including a quartet of Grade 1 races on Saturday at Belmont ...

Racing has continued amid a pandemic, and for that we have a great many thanks. In Maryland, hopeful horsemen declared last week: “Hey, they’re running the Preakness Saturday…it’s like we’re alive in the double.” The Maryland Jockey Club did present the Preakness Stakes (G1) in front of a very select, very socially distanced live audience at ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Some 4 1/2 months after its originally scheduled date, the 145th running of the Preakness (G1) will take place on Saturday at Pimlico without spectators in attendance. The historic 1 3/16-mile race will serve as the final leg of a unique Triple Crown restructured due to COVID-19. ...

Commerce is key to any industry, and thankfully the folks at Fasig-Tipton and the Keeneland Association did a yeoman’s job in just being able to conduct yearling sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Thoroughbred breeders and consignors have to be most grateful for all of the hard work behind bringing in more than $300 million through the auction ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Five weeks out from the Breeders' Cup World Championships, there are so many high-profile races on the agenda that it's difficult to keep track of them all. The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is really heating up with 11 ''Win and You're In'' qualifiers spread throughout the U.S. ...

While indicators at the end of the second session of Book 3 at the Keeneland September yearling sale seemed to indicate a “more stable” environment according to our Ron Mitchell, others suggested that the leading buyer of Book 3 was “RNA.” Nobody has ever said the sale game is easy…especially during a pandemic. Through six sessions some $208 ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman There are plenty of competitive graded stakes races on the agenda this week. Woodbine alone is hosting four such events, including the Woodbine Mile (G1), Natalma (G1), and Summer (G1)—all ''Win and You're In'' qualifiers for the Nov. 6-7 Breeders' Cup World Championships. Belmont ...