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BloodHorse.com Articles by Dan Liebman

Most Mare Haven Stallions Not Paid to Breeders' Cup For 2000 and 2001

The Breeders' Cup has received a dozen phone calls this week from persons asking about the eligibility of stallions that stood in 2000 (foals of 2001) and 2001 (foals of 2002) at Dr. William O. Reed's Mare Haven Farm near Lexington.

 Thursday, August 29, 2002

Columbus Day Forces Change in Breeders' Cup Pre-Entry Date

For the third time, the Breeders' Cup has had to alter its pre-entry and field selection announcement dates because of the Columbus Day holiday.

 Thursday, August 29, 2002

Rethinking July

By Dan Liebman -- The Keeneland summer sale needs to be adjusted. It needs to be tweaked. Revamped. Changed. It absolutely does not need to be abandoned, as some have suggested.

 Wednesday, July 24, 2002

McCarron Bids Farewell in Hollywood Ceremony

With jockeys, owners, and trainers surrounding him, an emotional Chris McCarron bid goodbye to the racing world about an hour before his last ride aboard Came Home in the Affirmed Handicap.

 Sunday, June 23, 2002

Belmont Winner, Last-Place Finisher From Same Sale

Sarava was 70-1, the longest priced winner in 134 runnings of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). That was nothing compared to the odds of buying both the Belmont winner and the race's last-place finisher...at the same sale.

 Wednesday, June 12, 2002

Belmont Stakes Winner's Breeder: Taking the Cake

Sarava, the Belmont Stakes winner, was bred by New Yorker William Entenmann's Timber Bay Farm.

 Tuesday, June 11, 2002

Belmont Racing Report: The Frankel Factory

The Belmont Stakes Day undercard and preceding days' stakes were characterized by dominating victories and strong-willed performances.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Gygistar Takes Riva Ridge

Pat Day broke sharply on Gygistar, but was content to let others take the lead. He then came off the rail and went around the leaders to easily win the Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup (gr. II) Saturday at Belmont Park.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Babae Holds Off Tates Creek in Just a Game

Babae, in her second start of the year, sat second behind early leader Penny Marie, then took the lead and held off a late challenge to win the Just a Game Breeders' Cup (gr. III) Saturday at Belmont.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Prince Salman, War Emblem Owner, Not Attending Belmont Stakes

Though Prince Ahmed Salman's War Emblem is going for the Triple Crown at Belmont Park on Saturday, the Saudi owner is not in attendance. A spokesman for the prince's Thoroughbred Corp. confirmed Saturday afternoon that Salman was in Saudi Arabia and not in New York.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Explicit Wins True North

The complexion of the True North Handicap (gr. II) changed at the start, when Summer Note, who was unbeaten in four starts and had always showed speed, hopped at the start. Yonaguska and Explicit then were the two left on the lead, and Explicit proved best in the six-furlong race.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Another Spill at Belmont; Pleasant County Dies

John Velazquez, who was involved in a spill on Friday, was involved in another on Saturday at Belmont Park. Velazquez took off his first three mounts Saturday, then in his first mount back, fell aboard Imadeed as the horses hit the three-sixteenths pole in the Belmont Stakes Day fourth race, the WNBC.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Schwartz Hopeful for Record Belmont Crowd

New York Racing Association chairman and CEO Barry Schwartz said Saturday morning at Belmont Park that he is hoping for one thing -- a crowd of more than 85,818. All indications are he might just get it.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

War Emblem Even Money in Early Wagering

With only $1 million in the pool, War Emblem is even money with those on hand at Belmont Park to complete the Triple Crown. Of course, there is still an hour until the first race on the Belmont Stakes Day card.

 Saturday, June 08, 2002

Acorn Stakes is All About You

You led every step of the way to easily win the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) Friday at Belmont Park. Under Jerry Bailey, You was under pressure until they turned for home in the one-turn mile race, but she then spurted away and coasted home as much the best.

 Friday, June 07, 2002

Whywhywhy Wins Flash; Spill Claims Renegade Warrior

Whywhywhy won the Flash Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Friday, a race marred by a spill in which Renegade Warrior apparently broke down, and then Windsor Lodge fell over him. Both jockeys, Ramon Dominguez on Renegade Warrior and John Velazquez aboard Windsor Lodge, were conscious and walking after the horrific episode.

 Friday, June 07, 2002

Wiseman's Ferry Not One Dimensional

With a persistent light rain falling Friday morning, trainer Niall O'Callaghan found a dry, warm spot to talk to the press -- inside the track kitchen. But the same question kept coming up: Is his Wiseman's Ferry the key to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I)?

 Friday, June 07, 2002

Belmont Drenched, Expected Nice for Saturday

The entire New York area, including Belmont Park where Saturday War Emblem will make a run for history in the Triple Crown, received a considerable amount of rain Thursday evening.

 Friday, June 07, 2002

Essence of Dubai Reaches Target

Even before he ran ninth in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), Tom Albertrani thought Essence of Dubai would be more suited to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). On Saturday, he will find out.

 Friday, June 07, 2002

Just the Beginning for Perfect Drift

This may be the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), but trainer Murray Johnson sees it as just the start for Perfect Drift, who he sends out Saturday to try and deny War Emblem a Triple Crown.

 Friday, June 07, 2002

Misplaced Bonus

By Dan Liebman -- There is a controversy over the $1-million bonus Sportsman's Park offered to a horse sweeping the track's Illinois Derby (gr. II) and one of the Triple Crown races. But no matter into whose account that million bucks goes, there is one place it should not have already gone--into the purse of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

 Tuesday, May 14, 2002

Kentucky-Bred Foal Loss For 2002 May Not Be as Large as Projected

The loss of Kentucky-bred foals for the 2002 breeding season, mainly due to mare reproductive loss syndrome of 2001, may not end up being as large as first thought, numbers from The Jockey Club show.

 Tuesday, May 14, 2002

War Emblem Comes from 'School of Hard Nucks'

This Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner doesn't come from the school of hard knocks; he comes from the school of hard nucks. War Emblem was bred and raised at Nuckols Farm near Midway, Ky., an operation headed by one of the last true Kentucky hardboots, Charlie Nuckols.

 Friday, May 10, 2002

Foal Reduction Slows, But Percentage Still High

The rate of reduction in foal losses in Kentucky is slowing, but it is still staggering. The latest figures from The Jockey Club show 32.4 percent less foals dropped in Kentucky this year through April 3 compared with a year ago.

 Friday, April 05, 2002

Kentucky-Breds Down 43 Percent So Far

For the first 64 days of the year, The Jockey Club has reported a significant drop in the number of Kentucky-bred foals. The decline was expected as a direct correlation to mare reproductive loss syndrome.

 Wednesday, March 06, 2002

Texas Stewards Rule that Horse Ineligible for Restricted Stakes

Stewards at Sam Houston Race Park ruled Feb. 23 that Chauffe au Rouge was ineligible for two stakes he won last year that were restricted to Texas-accredited horses.

 Monday, February 25, 2002

Squirtle Squirt Sprints to Eclipse Award

The racetrack is the great equalizer. Breeders' Cup Day 2001 hammered home that point. On racing's biggest day, not only did some of the game's heaviest hitters--like Sheikh Mohammed, Juddmonte Farms, and members of the Coolmore group--win races, but so, too, did David Lanzman.

 Monday, February 18, 2002

Godolphin Tops Visa Triple Crown Nominations; Complete List Here

Sheikh Mohammed has made no secret of his desire to win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). His Godolphin Racing has nominated 17 horses to the Visa Triple Crown by the early deadline, nearly twice as many as any other owner.

 Monday, February 11, 2002

Keeneland Cataloguing More 2-Year-Olds

Keeneland expects to catalogue about 50 more horses this year for its April auction of 2-year-olds in training. The sale is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, a dark day during the Keeneland spring race meet.

 Wednesday, February 06, 2002

What Rules?

By Dan Liebman -- The old saying is, "Rules are made to be broken." What about a case where there are no rules? One example is the voting process for Thoroughbred racing's champions.

 Tuesday, January 29, 2002

World Series Racing Officials to Meet; New Sponsor Possible

Representatives will meet in New York next week to discuss a possible new sponsor for the group of 14-races known as the World Series Racing Championship.

 Thursday, January 24, 2002

Leland and Sue Cook Win Top Award in Texas

Leland and Sue Cook, owners of Richland Ranch near Corsicana, Texas, received the top award Saturday night at the Texas Thoroughbred Association's annual banquet in Austin.

 Sunday, January 20, 2002

Texas Board Rescinds Accreditation of Chauffe Au Rouge

The board of directors of the Texas Thoroughbred Association rescinded the accreditation of Texas-bred Chauffe Au Rouge after a lengthy hearing Jan. 18. The vote was 10-4. The move would appear to begin the process of releasing two stakes purses for Texas-accredited horses which have been held in escrow since Chauffe Au Rouge won them last year.

 Saturday, January 19, 2002

Leading Freshman Sire Began in Florida, Now in Texas

For the second time in four years, the Mockingbird Farm team came up with the leading North American freshman sire. They won't make it three in 2002. Well, if they do, it won't be the same team.

 Tuesday, January 08, 2002

Forest Camp to Stand at Airdrie Stud

Forest Camp, a top 2-year-old of 1999, has been retired and will stand in 2002 at Brereton C. Jones' Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky. Forest Camp, by Deputy Minister -- La Paz, by Hold Your Peace, will stand for $10,000.

 Wednesday, January 02, 2002

Batting for Average

By Dan Liebman -- With today's emphasis on the commercial market, large books of mares, and shuttling, it is highly unlikely we shall ever see another stallion sire 20% stakes winners.

 Wednesday, January 02, 2002

Tiznow to Stand for $30,000

Two-time Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Tiznow, who will stand his first season at stud next year, has had his stud fee set at $30,000 live foal, payable Sept. 1.

 Friday, November 30, 2001

Make Them Talk

By Dan Liebman -- On Oct. 27 at Belmont Park, there was a media press conference following each of the eight Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships races. After three of the races, the winning trainer did not show up.

 Tuesday, November 20, 2001

Sprint Story: A Squirt of Success

One day last fall, David Lanzman picked up the phone and rang Bobby Frankel to see if he would discuss taking a horse for him. It was 7 a.m. Frankel told him to swing by the barn between 9:15 and 9:30 and hung up.

 Wednesday, October 31, 2001

Hero in a Bridle

By Dan Liebman -- Who can say why we are more attracted to certain horses. I watched the replay of the 1990 Fountain of Youth Stakes. Over and over. I fell in love with this horse.

 Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Fantastic Finish to Turf; Winner May Race in Japan Cup

The Europeans added to their huge day when Fantastic Light set a course record in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT). The Euros won three straight races, with Banks Hill (Mile), Johannesburg (Juvenile) and Fantastic Light.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Officer Displaced Palate in Juvenile Loss to Johannesburg

Say what's the word? Well at Belmont Park on Saturday, it was Johannesburg, who remained unbeaten when he won the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). Down to defeat went the Bob Baffert-trained Officer, who was on the rail in striking position but could not handle the pressure. Later, Baffert said Officer shut down after displacing his palate.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Val Royal Flies Home in Mile

Val Royal came flying down the lane to win the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) in 1:32.05, the course record at Belmont Park being 1:31.60.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Godolphin One-Two in Juvenile Fillies

Eoin Harty, who was hired by Sheikh Mohammed to train 2-year-olds in this country to try and win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), may eventually accomplish that, but Saturday he showcased fillies, running one-two in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) with Tempera and Imperial Gesture.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Godolphin One-Two in Juvenile Fillies

Eoin Harty, who was hired by Sheikh Mohammed to train 2-year-olds in this country to try and win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), may eventually accomplish that, but Saturday he showcased fillies, running one-two in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) with Tempera and Imperial Gesture.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Unbridled Elaine Wins Distaff; Exogenous Injured

A pall was cast on the 18th Breeders' Cup before it could even start when Exogenous flipped, got her foot caught in the winner's circle rail, and eventually had to be sedated and removed from the tunnel leading to the racetrack.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Yonaguska Wins Sport Page on Breeders' Cup Undercard

Yonaguska completed a chalky Daily Double on the Breeders' Cup undercard Saturday at Belmont Park. He won the second race, the Sport Page (gr. III), under Chris McCarron. He was 7-5 and first race winner Graeme Hall was 4-5.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Breeders' Cup Day Begins; Opening Ceremony Held

Odds are this is the first time in this country that racing fans walked into a track with armed guards on the roof. But this is also the first time racing's biggest day has been held in the same area where a terrorist attack occurred just six weeks earlier.

 Saturday, October 27, 2001

Interest in Guided Tour Sold to Buckram Oak Farm

A major interest in Guided Tour, who runs in Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), has been purchased by Buckram Oak Farm. The 5-year-old horse has been owned by a group led by majority partner Morton Fink of Chicago. He will be listed in the program on Saturday as owned by Buckram Oak and Fink and run in Fink's colors.

 Thursday, October 25, 2001
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