For most of us that live east of the Pecos, the Breeders’ Cup weekend of Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar was like stumbling onto the lost city of the Incas. Who knew it was the best-kept secret in racing? As stunning...
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Humans and animals overcoming physical handicaps and going on to achieve great things has always been a sure way to bring out the sentimental side of people, who admire grit and resolve in the face of...
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By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman One week after a spectacular day of racing at Belmont Park, the attention of racing fans and handicappers across the country will turn to Churchill...
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Todd Pletcher and old-school training have never exactly been synonymous. Pletcher is known for being a conservative trainer, preferring long periods of time between races. Pletcher has been known to run...
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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...
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By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman The stage is set. The horses are ready. The question is, are the handicappers ready? The 143 rd running of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) is the culmination...
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By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman One of the most important factors to consider when handicapping the Kentucky Derby is the pace of the race. Correctly determining how fast or slow...
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The major preps are over. Now the anticipation begins. Time to call the car rental office and reserve a car, hoping it drives well enough to make the 11 1/2-hour trek to Louisville somewhere between tolerable...
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By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman As one of the last grade I races for older horses left to be run in 2016, the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs has drawn a remarkably...
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By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman Handicapping races with odds-on favorites is never an easy task, especially when you're doing it a couple of days in advance. It's a careful balancing...
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