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We're now two months away from Derby Day.  Here are a few of the runners I've been watching this year, hoping they'll make it to the Run for the Roses: Square Eddie (pedigree) is a spectacularly consistent colt. The Canadian-bred chestnut son of Smart Strike (SRO) has been in the money six times from seven starts, from 5 to 8.5 ...

A few years ago we wrote an article about pedigree trends to come. One we suggested would be the combination of stallions bred on the Mr. Prospector/Buckpasser cross, notably Seeking the Gold, Woodman, Miswaki, and Mining. Exchange Rate (TrueNicks,SRO) began his career in Florida but earned a move to Three Chimneys with a relatively ...

Phil Marino with John Henry Photo courtesy of Tammy Siters Word came the other day of the passing of Phil Marino on Feb. 26. He was 59. Many people don’t know who Phil Marino is, and that is a shame. The native of New Orleans was the legendary John Henry’s first trainer, and saddled the gelding to his first career victory and first stakes ...

Personality-wise, Jimmy Jerkens and Julio Canani have little in common. But this week the two trainers have one important thing in common: Each has a Derby horse in his barn.Thousands of races will be run at racetracks throughout the land over the next two months, but most of our attention will be focused on the preps that lead to Louisville, Ky., ...

By Gene Kershner, EquiSpace I'm thinking the timing is right. A-Rod (I refuse to call him A-Fraud) is campaigning for forgiveness for taking performance-enhancing drugs. Michael Phelps has potentially lost millions for his recent appearance with that piece of equipment that rhymes with ''wrong''. The NFL is a daily police blotter, this ...

The Pamplemousse How could you not enjoy this year's Sham Stakes (gr.III)! The Pamplemousse stole the show. He has definitely caught my attention with his talent, but he also did so with his face. The cameras during the race were far away so I never noticed his face or figure. Then today, passing my co-workers computer, there was a lovely desktop ...

The last Saturday in November is NYRA's farewell to grade I and grade II racing, with the running of the Cigar Mile (gr. I) and the grade II Remsen and Demoiselle Stakes for 2-year-olds. But last year, there was a buzz in the air that had nothing to do with any of those three races. Read the entire column here.

Another week, another new Kentucky Derby contender from Florida. Actually, make that two. With Quality Road's resounding win in the Fountain of Youth and Theregoesjojo's impressive runner-up, the Florida picture has certainly become much clearer. Notontheamepage and This Ones for Phil, who both bounced like racquetballs, and Capt. Candyman Can ...

NEWS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFriday, February 27, 2009Contact: Robert Bolson, Director of Corporate MarketingBlood-Horse Publications(859) 276-6809; rbolson@BloodHorse.com Equine Ulcers: Your Horse At RiskFree Webinar Coming on TheHorse.comLexington, Ky. - Sign up now for the free Webinar on Equine Ulcers: Your Horse At Risk, scheduled for ...

The Fountain of Youth is always one of the most highly-anticipated Derby prep races of the year, but with the race now at one-mile for the first time in its history, the dynamics of it have changed dramatically from a handicapping perspective. It means speed is a much bigger factor. That is especially true this year, with Gulfstream's track ...