BloodHorse.com

Perception is reality. Over and over we hear this phrase as it relates to politics, business, and even Thoroughbred racing. These three words are used so often because the concept is real and powerful.Unfortunately, racing is dealing with its own shady perceptions. At the forefront is a belief that North American horses need race-day medication to ...

It was a wise decision by NYRA to cancel Sunday’s racing. The heavy rains and winds didn’t relent until 4:00 pm and, even then, being in Saratoga would have felt like being at Aqueduct in April.  This morning brought clear skies and sun and the forecast that the next several days will seem like summer again.  Those who stick ...

It’s impossible to ascertain the significance of the gr. 1 Travers Stakes on a national basis because here everything about it has been blown out of proportion.  The race is, after all, the showpiece of a meet that knows no comparison. More women wore fancy hats to the track on Travers Day than on “Hat’s Off to Saratoga” Day.  Picnickers ...

Three exceptional displays of philanthropy occurred at the 14th annual Belmont Child Care Association’s fundraiser at the Gideon Putnam Hotel on Wednesday evening.   First, Michael Dubb, the charity’s chairman and one of New York’s leading horse owners, paid $11,500 for a Breeders’ Cup trip that included private jet service.  Then Susan ...

Nancy Dillman can sum up 2011 so far in one word: “Marvelous.”During the recent Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, a Bernardini colt that Dillman bred brought $1.2 million from Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager, John Ferguson. Consigned by the sales division of Mill Ridge Farm, the handsome bay shared the auction’s honor for highest ...

In the not-so-distant past a predication of the following year’s Thoroughbred foal crop size was the most pressing news reported during The Jockey Club’s annual Round Table Conference. Other topics have been discussed. Over the last 20 years, for example, the topics have included drug testing, federal legislation as it affected taxes and wagering, ...

A succession of locally-produced television shows about horse racing occurs every weekend morning on Channel 12.  For the most part, they’re produced by Capital District OTB (Albany, NY).  Horse ownership partnerships such as Karakorum Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Hibiscus Stables and Whitehall Stables vie for time with automobile ...

This morning’s newspapers revealed that Havre de Grace will bypass the gr. 1 Personal Ensign Stakes in lieu of the gr. 1 Woodward Stakes.  While not official, everyone’s certain that Blind Luck will stay west to do just what her rival has planned – that is, to run against males.  Blind Luck’s connections believe that if she can beat ...