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As racing fans and participants from around the world gathered at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Thursday for "Breakfast with the Stars," there was one name that seemed to be on everyone's lips: Curlin. People from Australia to Europe to South America to Asia all wanted to see the American Horse of the Year with their own eyes, to gauge how good he might really be before he races for the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) on Saturday.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
American Horse of the Year Curlin was standing in the wash rack in his barn in the quarantine area of Nad Al Sheba Racecourse when the unmistakable sound of an explosion split the air. "We were lucky he was in the wash rack because we could have had a problem if I was walking him," assistant trainer Scott Blasi said of the startling noise.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A day after his last workout for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), Curlin was ready to do more, said Scott Blasi, who has spent the last month tending only to Curlin, satisfying the colt's every need and keeping him focused on the task that lies ahead.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The connections of Horse of the Year Curlin are determined to give the prepossessing chestnut a chance to create his own legend in racing. His quest for such glory begins this year in Dubai, where he will try to win the world's richest race, the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), as a leap toward shattering Cigar's career earnings record of $9,999,815. Michele MacDonald -- who is covering her 10th consecutive Dubai World Cup -- shares the most intimate moments of this Middle Eastern sojourn, focusing on the people closest to Curlin and the exceptional colt himself, as well as offering a magic carpet ride through the land of Dubai.
Monday, March 24, 2008Gerald Errichetti, Laura Von Glahn, and Connie O'Connell stop by the clubhouse dining room to inquire of the guest list. Volunteers with the Breeders' Cup VIP Escort Team, they're getting their assignments straight.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
On the chute, trainer Graham Motion is on his pony, circling his John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) runner Better Talk Now. They're waiting to go onto the soggy turf course for a last-minute tune-up.
Friday, October 26, 2007Manning the Otis Elevator that serves as the stewards elevator at Monmouth Park is Ed Thayer. He knows the equipment....he's been operating the elevator for the past 11 years.
Thursday, October 25, 2007It's 10 a.m. Time for the first group meeting of the "Big Event Team" put together by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau. In all 22 agents are prowling the backstretch of Monmouth Park 24/7 looking for evil doers.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007After the post position draw, which clocked in right at one hour to introduce all the dignitaries and draw 11 races, trainer Todd Pletcher takes a seat at table. He's quickly surrounded by a circle of cameras, tape recorders, and notebooks.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007Walking in through the main gates at Monmouth Park, it's amazing the transformation that has taken place here. We take in a deep breath. What's that familiar aroma? No, it's not New Jersey...its fresh paint.
Monday, October 22, 2007Starting Monday, Oct. 22 and running through Saturday, Oct. 27, The Morning Line returns to bloodhorse.com. The feature, now in its second year, offers a colorful, behind-the-scenes look at the participants and players of the Thoroughbred industry during racing's major events.
Saturday, October 20, 2007Standing outside his barn on the Oklahoma side of Saratoga, Bob Baffert holds court with the media and smiles. He talks about Midnight Lute's victory in the Forego (gr. I). About how rewarding it is to win a race like that at a track like this. About how good it feels to be back.
Sunday, September 02, 2007The gates at Saratoga open promptly at 7:00 a.m., and five seconds later the picnic areas are flooded by a rush of running fans. WIth limited space, the sections fill up quickly, and the mad dash to claim a table or a section of lawn looks like the beginning of a wild frat party.
Saturday, August 25, 2007Carl Nafzger walks across Clare Court with Street Sense striding beside him. The colt is alert, but relaxed; he walks confidently, as if he owns the track. Once over the Clare Court training track, he stops and pricks his ears. Lifts his head. Looks for cameras. Definite pose.
Friday, August 24, 2007D. Wayne Lukas pauses from his morning duties to give his view on the Travers. The well-spoken Hall of Fame trainer has, as always, an insightful opinion on the race.
Thursday, August 23, 2007Fans are trickling into Belmont Park through the grandstand entrance. Out back by the picnic area, there are a few spots still available, but there won't be for long.
Saturday, June 09, 2007On the third row of Section G on the third floor of the clubhouse sit two yellow plastic bags. Labeled Adelman's Deli, the bags are stuffed with pastrami sandwiches, knishes, latkes, and pickles.
Friday, June 08, 2007The paddock opens at 11:30 for schooling. One of the first to arrive is Belmont (gr. I) entrant Tiago. Trainer John Shirreffs, his stepson David Ingordo, and Frankie Herrarte, a member of his crew, follows the Pleasant Tap colt, who is led by Frank Leal.
Thursday, June 07, 2007Preakness starters walking the shedrow Saturday morning as the big moment is on the horizon, a bright and sunny one at that.
Saturday, May 19, 2007Baltimore and Pimlico ready to turn into the Calvin Borel show.
Friday, May 18, 2007The autograph hounds were on the prowl Thursday morning at Pimlico, with Kentucky Derby winning trainer Carl Nafzger signing an oversized print of Street Sense to benefit a Pennsylvania charity.
Thursday, May 17, 2007Standing outside the Gold Room on the sixth floor of the clubhouse of Churchill Downs is Lisa Underwood. Underwood is the executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
Saturday, May 05, 2007Trainer Forrest Kaelin is moving quickly through the second floor clubhouse section. The local legend has seen a lot in his years training under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs.
Friday, May 04, 2007The scene at the racing office is pretty quiet. Only jockey agents Steve Bass, Joe Ferrer, and Jerry Hissam are present, chewing the fat with retired rider Bobby Ussery.
Thursday, May 03, 2007The pill pull at the racing office for the Derby is one of the most dramatic moments of the week.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas holds court for an assembling of media in front of his spotless barn. He's the only trainer without a Derby horse who can still provoke a good half-hour worth of questioning.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007When I hear about the Yumfecta and Yum! Brands, I suddenly have an urge for a Root Beer Float...
Monday, April 30, 2007The weather today in Louisville couldn't be better. A good-sized crowd has amassed under the Twin Spires.
Sunday, April 29, 2007If I had to watch Bernardini get beat, this was the way to go.
Saturday, November 04, 2006All of the credentialed photographers are gathered around the winner's circle, receiving their locations to shoot tomorrow's races. It's their views to the thrill.
Friday, November 03, 2006The great Laffit Pincay Jr., now retired but still the world's all-time leading jockey (and winner of eight Breeders' Cup races), is at Churchill Downs to introduce the nominees for the Race Track Chaplaincy's White Horse Award.
Thursday, November 02, 2006Right before the draw of the Breeders' Cup races takes place on the fourth floor of the clubhouse at Churchill Downs, Lisa Underwood surveys the scene. She's not eating breakfast from the buffet, but that's not to say she doesn't have a lot on her plate.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006Rev. Ed Donally is standing outside Barn 36 with an armful of new halters, watching as Lava Man cools out from his morning gallop. Donally, with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, is in from California to coordinate the White Horse Award Luncheon.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006Academy Award-winning actor Joe Pesci is the guest of honor at the Breeders' Cup Luncheon, but he's not here to talk about his movies.
Monday, October 30, 2006A bronze statue of Pat Day is unveiled in the garden near the paddock at Churchill Downs. John Asher cracks a joke that it will allow Day to live out his dream of being five feet tall since the statue is just slightly larger than life.
Sunday, October 29, 2006By Evan I. Hammonds - I don't recall the meeting when it was first discussed, but I remember volunteering. Looking for new avenues of coverage for racing's big events--the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup--on bloodhorse.com, the idea of a "blog" came up. "Blog," short for "Web log," is a relatively new concept and is still subject to debate for its actual purpose and application.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006By the grandstand entrance off the paddock, a crowd gathers. They're flocking around Penny Chenery, the owner of Secretariat, the most famous Belmont winner of them all.
Saturday, June 10, 2006Back at Barn 10, home of trainer Tom Albertrani, is Irene and Joseph LaCombe. The LaCombes bred and own Belmont Stakes (gr. I) starter Deputy Glitters.
Friday, June 09, 2006I've been waiting since the Derby to write "The Morning Line" from the Morning Line, the backstretch kitchen at Belmont Park.
Thursday, June 08, 2006Morning Line returns this week as Evan Hammonds pokes around and peaks under the covers at the site of the third leg of the Triple Crown classics.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006At the hospitality tent at the stakes barn, they're getting ready for the Preakness celebration party. Gold streamers are going up at one end as they set up the bar. At the other end, there is a huge, three-tiered cake.
Saturday, May 20, 2006The blue and white Brook Ledge van pulled up to a receiving area near the stakes barn at Pimlico at 2:35 p.m. Elvis has entered the building.
Friday, May 19, 2006In the day's fifth race, Armed Brat, a 3-year-old running under an $8,000 tag, breaks his maiden in gritty fashion while between horses. The winning jockey is 18-year-old Kyle Kaenel.
Thursday, May 18, 2006The Morning Line continues this week, with an insider's view of all things Preakness.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006On Kentucky Oaks day, if you're lucky enough, try to get down near the winner's circle before the big race.
Saturday, May 06, 2006Leaning up against pillar on the second floor concourse is horseman Keith Asmussen. He's flanked by a pair of crutches.
Saturday, May 06, 2006It's 12:25 p.m. A pair of Derby contenders enter the paddock for some schooling.
Thursday, May 04, 2006At the racing office for the draw for the order of post position draw later today at Fourth Street Live! The atmosphere is almost party like. There are a few nervous faces, but overall most people are in a jovial mood.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006Jockey John McKee shares a chat with Bonnie Holthus back at their barn after Lawyer Ron took a tour of the track Tuesday morning. Bonnie is the wife of trainer Bob Holthus, or "Mr. Bob" as he's called at his base at Oaklawn Park.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006Late on a rainy, dreary Sunday afternoon, thoughts drift through the years, remembering Derbys of the not-so-distant past.
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