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This poll has ended.  The question was:  Does the female family influence your purchase decisions?

Eight Belles.  We all send condolences to her connections, whose dreams were shattered only moments after such an exhilarating performance. The event will be examined from every angle over the next many days:  industry insiders will whisper about the breakdown of ''another'' high-profile runner from the Unbridled line... ...

  He talked the talk and he walked the walk. Well, actually, Big Brown walked the walk for him, but you get the point. The week prior to the Derby, I wrote on this blog that trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. had gone too far in proclaiming that he didn't see ''how his horse could get beat.'' While I still believe Dutrow was being a bit too cocky and ...

Note:This is the first part of two recap posts that will talk about the Run for the Roses and encompass all of my other experiences on Derby day.  Photo: Robert BolsonThe Race:Hands down, the 134th Kentucky Derby was amazing. The race was incredible and resulted in stories and excitement during the stretch run. ''It dosn't get much better ...

 A fun day full of excitement and a whole lot of turf races. I love a good turf race and like to see ''turf'' sires run well on dirt. Specifically Giant Gizmo. I called that horse with a gut feeling, and yep, he sure showed his skills. Of course he is a Giant's Causeway, as faithful readers know Giant's Causeway is a favorite of mine. So hats ...

By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY LOUISVILLE — ''We're live, babe!'' That's horse trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.'s stable-speak, his way of telling friends he expects his colt Big Brown to win the 134th Kentucky Derby on Saturday. For Big Brown, undefeated but having raced only three times, the Derby (4 p.m. ET, NBC; post time 6:04) is a chance to validate ...

By Patrick Patten, NYTimes.comThere were 38,191 North American foals born in 2005 (hat tip to the Jockey Club), and only 20 will be allowed in the gate in a little over a week. That is, one-twentieth of one percent get into the gate, and yet I am about to tell you that Recapturetheglory, winner of the grade II Illinois Derby is a complete toss. ...

By Leslie Huddleston The 2008 edition of C-J Derby DataTrack has now been updated for the last time and contains the Derby Rating, a total based upon a mathematical formula that assigns a value to each of the nearly 60 factors included in the data base. Derby Ratings can only be generated back to Sea Hero’s win in 1993 because BRIS and Beyer ...

  Well, we are finally here. Time to make Derby selections. Considering the inconsistency of many of the top 3-year-olds, inexperience of some of the contenders (mainly Big Brown), and trying to decipher how these synthetic track horses will run on the Churchill dirt, this year's handicapping challenge has been daunting. But after being ...

By Patrick Patten First, a blog is always about helping people and a “n00b” is slang for newbie, or rookie. You’re welcome. So, you’re also new to the Kentucky Derby, and you’re looking to make your first pick and not look too foolish. Have no fear; I’m here to help you. Don’t pick the favorite; it’s a total rookie mistake. The favorite has ...