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(Be aware this is pretty long, what else is new. But it was the only way to properly tell the story of Allen Jerkens’ greatest year, which ties in to him being honored with a grade 1 stakes named after him) Of all the stakes on NYRA’s calendar to change to the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, none would have made the Hall of Fame trainer happier ...

As I have done the past several years, I thought it would be interesting to go back week by week and re-live the observations, race reports, workout reports, and any news regarding the eventual Kentucky Derby winner, who in this case first appeared in the Knocking at the Door section on February 28. February 28 With McCraken’s injury, ...

The sport of Thoroughbred racing puts on its best show on the first Saturday in May. While the weather might not have cooperated with those in Louisville during the week, the atmosphere was electric, the racing was spectacular, and the pulse of the game showed it is still strong. Could things be better? Sure, but the weekend showed that the two ...

This has been a day I have dreaded for a while. There is a finality about announcing your final selections and wagers that hits you like the proverbial ton of bricks. For months, you’re coming up with different angles, new horses you like, and longshots and overlays who you feel could surprise. But once you put your money down there is no ...

The majority of the stories leading up to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) puts the focus on the trainers and jockeys at Churchill Downs. While the trainers and jockeys are the face of the industry—along with the horses—and are caring for the Thoroughbreds every day on the backstretch, the owner ...

1 Always Dreaming Todd Pletcher Bodemeister—Above Perfection, by In Excess There has been concern about his over-aggressiveness in the morning, especially throwing his wildly in the air. Draw reins were added to keep his head down and a more experienced exercise rider galloped him, and he was much better on Tuesday. I’m not going to do ...

Racing fans who were not around before the 1980s may find it difficult to appreciate just how much the dynamics of the Kentucky Derby have changed since then and how much more difficult the race is to win since they incorporated the graded earnings and now points system. In fact, today’s Derby bears little resemblance to the Derby of the ...

Horses that capture the imagination of the racing world come along only so often. One of those was this week’s cover boy: Silver Charm. While we don’t like to admit it, it’s been 20 years since he took us to the edge of the Triple Crown in June 1997. Silver Charm’s story had it all. A $16,500 yearling at the 1995 Ocala Breeders’ Sales’ August ...

1 Always Dreaming Todd Pletcher Bodemeister—Above Perfection, by In Excess I’m not interested in bouncing, Pletcher’s Derby record, a speed-favoring track in the Florida Derby, and his slow allowance race. All I see is a fast horse when he needs to be with pushbutton acceleration, beautiful action, class, an overall presence, and ...