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Although he retired to stud with earnings of nearly $7,780,000, Pleasantly Perfect (TrueNicks,SRO) had some strikes against him as a stallion prospect. The Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), and Dubai World Cup (gr. I) winner didn't start until he was three, when he made one outing, didn't win until he was four, and was at his best and five and six. ...

As soon as Jess Jackson announced his plans to run Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward Stakes, the historical significance of such an attempt was made known in various publications, as were comments that Jackson is taking the easy way out, running against inferior older horses instead of much more accomplished 3-year-olds in the Travers. We have ...

A reader's comment to a post last week (Thoroughbred Pedigree Review of KEESEP Hip #4233 -- A Rasmussen Factor Case Study) pointed out the significant mare inbreeding in a 1952 mare named Ellen's Best (pedigree). Ellen's Best's fourth dam was Friar's Carse, who was also the dam of her sire War Relic. In turn, War Relic was inbred to Fairy ...

Combining genetic relatives in pedigrees has been for some time a pathway to upgrading pedigrees for stakes success. Many moons ago noted pedigree authority Ken McLean suggested in his book Quest for a Classic Winner that the like bred Nijinsky II, his three quarter brother The Minstrel and Storm Bird, a son of Northern Dancer whose dam is ...

This is pretty encouraging for a racino state: a marketing scheme for horse racing with a heavy online component. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which oversees horse racing in the state, has launched the campaign, which is geared toward a younger demographic. It's called TrackPackPA. The campaign mentions hanging out at the ...

 Jockeys Season 2I finally watched the first episode of the new season of Jockeys on Animal Planet, and here is my review of the episode and assessment of this season.I am hopeful about this season, because I was left feeling very excited at the end of this first episode. It seems the producers finally get who their audience is, how to ...

This year's Perfect Trip Award will recognize a Breeders' Cup Challenge race winner from this season's North American races that best exemplifies a ''Perfect Trip''. The winner will be selected from a panel of racing experts and will have the opportunity to experience his or her own ''Perfect Trip'' through Sentient Jet, with ...

Rachel Alexandra is blazing a path that no other 3-year-old filly has in modern history. She has already beaten her male peers in the Preakness and Haskell, and will now try to defeat older males in the Woodward. She is an amazing racehorse and a blessing for Thoroughbred racing during a tough time. So why is there part of me that feels ...

Adena Springs South's Milwaukee Brew (SRO) is fast becoming the star of the Sunshine State's stallion line-up. And what's not to like?  He showed some longevity with a career that spanned ages 3 to 6 and back-to-back Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) scores. He's got a five-cross pedigree that is distinctly American but void of Northern ...

(Originally published in the August 29, 2009 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column.)   Though what he was speaking about had nothing to do with the sale of Thoroughbreds, listening to Daily Racing Form publisher Steve Crist Aug. 24 at The Jockey Club Round Table ...