(Originally published in the May 2, 2009 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine . Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column. ) This time of year people invariably talk about, and write about, the “racing gods” and “Derby gods.” Of course, we all know what really wins Kentucky...

At 10 p.m., an exhausted Larry Jones finally fell asleep. Just two and a half hours later, he was back up, making training charts for that day’s sets before loading his trailer to drive from his barn at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland to Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Jones was tired...

The morning of the Kentucky Derby, in a corner of Barn 43, all was right with the world. Larry and Cindy Jones were still beaming over the impressive victory of Proud Spell in the previous day’s Kentucky Oaks. Their African Gray parrot, Buddy, was whistling up a storm outside his cage in the office....

The Breeders’ Cup took important steps last week to help ensure the integrity of its races, while at the same time prodding those states not already on board to hurry and establish steroid policies for tracks its racing authority regulates. Should a horse test positive for anabolic steroids at the Oct...

Sorry about the delay, but it has been busy since the crew and I returned from Derby Day. To read part 1 and catch up with my Derby experiences from the rail, during the Derby race, and to read about my experiences surrounding Eight Belles, click here . Photo: Robert Bolson Einstein Solves the Problem...

There were 417 races run on the flat in North America May 3, but only one captured the attention of the public. Normally that attention would be in celebration of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner, but this year the attention came in the form of criticism due to the tragic catastrophic...

By Alex Waldrop, NTRA.com Like many of you, I watched Saturday’s Kentucky Derby and was in awe of the amazing performance of Big Brown and his talented jockey, Kent Desormeaux. Big Brown ran a race from the 20th post position that was remarkable. And Desormeaux rode a race that even I could appreciate...

After winning the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 2, Airdrie Stud owner Brereton Jones talked of the relationship his family has developed with trainer Larry Jones and his wife, Cindy. “The Jones stable is a small family operation, just like Airdrie,” he said. In the twilight of the following day, Larry Jones...

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...

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 Bolson The Race: Hands down, the 134th Kentucky Derby was amazing. The race was incredible and resulted in stories and excitement during the...