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Cigar Street Topples Indy in Skip Away

Favorite Cigar Street edges clear of Take Charge Indy to win Gulfstream Park's Skip Away Stakes (gr. III) by two lengths. He covers the 1 3/16 miles in 1:56.84.

McPeek Hopes Frac Daddy Blasts Off in Florida

Three races into his career, Frac Daddy appears to have trainer Ken McPeek back on the Triple Crown trail for 2013.

Skip Trial, Sire of Skip Away, Dies

The 30-year-old graded stakes-winning son of Bailjumper was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age. He'll be buried at Bridlewood Farm near Ocala.

Old Friends Hall of Fame Day Draws Supporters

On Oct. 17, I was graciously invited to attend a benefit for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility near Georgetown, Ky. honoring Hall of Fame members Skip Away, Noor, and Precisionist.

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Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends Oct. 17

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm near Georgetown, Ky., has partnered with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Nick Ryan's Saloon to present "Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends" Monday, Oct. 17.

Florida Derby to Air on HRTV

HRTV will continue its coverage of key prep races for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) when it travels to Gulfstream Park this weekend for April 3, $1 million Florida Derby.

Slip Away Named Top Steeplechaser

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred Slip Away is named 2010 champion Steeplechaser based on his 25-plus length score in the Colonial Cup Hurdle Stakes (NSA-I).

Slideshow: 2010 Farewells

Remembering the people and horses that left us in 2010.

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Slip Away Gives 'Em the Slip in Colonial Cup

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Slip Away swept to the lead approaching the Springdale Course's final turn and powered away to a remarkable 25 3/4-length victory in the Colonial Cup Steeplechase at Camden, S.C., on Nov. 13.

Skip Away's Skipshot Surprises in Swaps

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The cross that produced Swaps Stakes surprise winner Skipshot appears to be based on an affinity of Skip Away for Halo-line mares.

Skipshot Nabs Sidney's Candy at Swaps Wire

A determined Skipshot collared the tiring Sidney's Candy just before the wire to upset the 1-5 favorite by a frantic head in the $196,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) at Hollywood Park July 17.

Hilmer Schmidt, Leader in Florida, Dies

Hilmer C. Schmidt, a leading figure in the Florida racing and breeding industry for years, died May 26 at his Brenham, Texas, home following a lengthy illness.

Hangin' With Haskin: Farewell to Skip Away

A tribute to one of the toughest, most durable horses I have had the privilege to see run and the two people whose lives he encompassed.

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Preakness Doings: Me and Julio...

If you're a fan of Paul Simon you already know who this column focuses on.

Skip Away Dies of Heart Attack

Skip Away, the 1998 Horse of the Year and currently third on the all-time leading earners list in North America, dies of heart attack at Rick Trontz' Hopewell Farm near Midway, Ky.

Slideshow: Remembering Skip Away

A look back at Skip Away's wonderful career.

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Terrazas to Lease Overbrook Land

Eduardo Terrazas' Terrazas Thoroughbreds will be relocating from Elmer Whitaker's Whitaker Farm on Paris Pike near Lexington to the Young family's Overbrook Farm, which ceased operations this year and is nearly finished dispersing its horses.

Talkin' Horses Podcast with Mike Smith

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith answers questions about Zenyatta, how he started riding, the "Jockeys" show, and more.

Shane Sellers to Return to Riding July 2

Jockey Shane Sellers is set to make his return to racing July 2 after a 4 1/2- year hiatus from the sport when he'll be aboard Ide Ball trained by former rider Mark Guidry in the first race at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino.

Inside Track: Best-selling Story

As he was a full brother to three-time champion Skip Away, whom many consider as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, big things were expected from Skipingo when he was purchased as a yearling for $300,000 in 1998.

Cigar Wins Simulated Racing Game

The Breeders' Cup and Horse Racing Simulation LLC, a leading developer of horse racing and virtual racing simulations, unveiled the "Dream Classic," a simulation featuring some of the greatest Breeders' Cup Classic winners over the last 24 years in a showdown with defending Breeders' Cup Classic Champion and North America's all-time richest horse Curlin to determine his place among the great champions.

Keeneland Gross Down 29.7%

Sunday's session of the Keeneland September yearling sale was similar to Saturday's session in that key indicators were down from last year's comparable figures.

Gottcha Gold Gets Skip Away

Gottcha Gold often likes to set the pace, but the Centaur Farms Florida homebred stalked his way straight to the winner's circle March 15 in the $150,000 Skip Away Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.

Hunting, Gottcha Gold Pursue Skip Away

Stuart Janney's homebred Hunting has not raced since a third-place finish behind Evening Attire in the Dec. 8 Queens County Handicap (gr. III), but the 5-year-old son of Coronado's Quest could return to winning form in the $150,000 Skip Away Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park. He'll tackle Gottcha Gold, Dr. Pleasure, Better Than Bonds, and others in the March 15 event.

Average Dips in Preferred Session of Canadian Yearling Sale

The second and final session of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Woodbine yearling sale -- preferred offerings -- took place Sept. 8, with similar results to the select session: a decrease in average but a steady middle market.

A Day At The Spa: Aug. 11, New York-bred Sale

Last night at Fasig-Tipton's preferred sale of New York-breds, Nancy Purcell and Pat Crampton leaned on the rail outside the walking ring and eyeballed hip number 342.

MassCap Set to Return This Year

The storied Massachusetts Handicap, last run in 2004, will be renewed at Suffolk Downs Sept. 22, five weeks prior to the running of the Oct. 26-27 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

MassCap Back on Track for Fall 2007

Suffolk Downs will reinstitute the historic Massachusetts Handicap this fall as part of a continued effort to return the East Boston racetrack to a secure financial position.

To Pay, or Not to Pay: Breeders' Cup Supplemental Fees Present Shakespearian Moments

Since the inception of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships in 1984, some horse owners have long debated whether to suffer the slings and arrows of high entry fees for non-nominated horses and seek out the competition--their chance at glory on racing's crowning day.

Racing Museum to Feature 'Moneighs' at 50th Anniversary Reception

The National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, New York will feature original paintings created by Hall of Fame racehorses at the 50th Anniversary Hall of Fame cocktail reception Aug. 6.

Eurosilver Shines in Skip Away

Front-running Eurosilver recorded his first graded stakes win in 18 months when he held off 21-1 outsider Twilight Road by a half-length in the $100,000 Skip Away Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Saturday.

Zakocity the 117-pound High Weight in Skip Away

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Zakocity, who finished third in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) behind Eddington and Pies Prospect March 5, will tote high weight of 117 pounds Saturday in the Skip Away Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.

Sister Swank Surges to Valley View Triumph

Sister Swank charged past Jinny's Gold in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $116,300 Valley View Stakes (gr. IIIT) Saturday at Keeneland.

Racing Hall of Fame Ceremony Aug. 9

Three humans and three horses will be honored when The National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inducts its 2004 class Aug. 9 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Public Invited to Racing Hall of Fame Day Celebrations

The public is invited to the National Museum of Racing's annual Hall of Fame Ceremony, Monday, Aug. 9 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. Members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2004 include trainer Claude "Shug" McGaughey, jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Jimmy Winkfield, and Thoroughbred champions Bowl of Flowers, Flawlessly, and Skip Away.

Jimmy Winkfield, Bowl of Flowers New Hall of Fame Members

The historic review committee of the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame has selected Jimmy Winkfield and Bowl of Flowers for induction, it was announced today.

McGaughey, Desormeaux, Skip Away, Flawlessly Elected to Hall of Fame

Trainer Claude "Shug" McGaughey and jockey Kent Desormeaux, along with equine stars Skip Away and Flawlessly were announced Tuesday as inductees for the class of 2004 for the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.

2004 Hall of Fame Inductee: Skip Away

Skip Away, a four-time Eclipse Award winner and the second leading North American earner of all-time, was elected into racing's Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. His trainer, the late Hubert "Sonny" Hine, was inducted into the Hall of Fame last August.

McGaughey, Zito, Skip Away Among Hall of Fame Finalists

Trainers Shug McGaughey and Nick Zito and 1998 Horse of the Year Skip Away are among the candidates for election to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, Museum president John T. von Stade announced Monday, April 4. More than 140 members of the racing media will vote on the Hall of Fame, and the one winner in each category will be announced via teleconference on May 25.

Bowman's Band Favored in Skip Away

The last time Bowman's Band raced 8 1/2 furlongs he lost the Hal's Hope Handicap (gr. III) to Puzzlement by a neck. Perhaps he'll have the advantage this time around as he competes in Saturday's Skip Away Handicap (gr. III).

White Filly Born at Patchen Wilkes

Patchen Beauty, a white mare and granddaughter of White Beauty, foaled a white Skip Away filly Feb. 8 at Warren Rosenthal's Patchen Wilkes Farm near Lexington.

Skip Away Down to $15,000

Skip Away, 1998 Horse of the Year, will stand the 2004 for $15,000, down $5,000 from his past fee, at Rick Trontz' Hopewell Farm near Midway, Ky.

Funny Cide's Half-Brother to Run at Churchill

The 4-year-old half-brother to Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Funny Cide is scheduled to test his talent under the famed Twin Spires of Churchill Downs in an allowance race on Sunday's Mother's Day racing card.

What Can You Do with Kinzie Woo?

A stable that enters a maiden in a Grade I stakes race could not have a better name than Always Believe, Inc.

First Winners for Skip Away, Touch Gold, Tale of the Cat

Skip Away, 1998 Horse of the Year, was represented by his first winner when his daughter Heart Ofa Champion won June 7 at Belmont Park.

Ingot Way, Skip Away's Dam, Dead

Summer Wind Farm's Ingot Way, whose son Skip Away was Horse of the Year in 1998, was euthanized the morning of March 27 after giving birth to an Awesome Again colt.

Hopewell Farm Files Suit to Recover Skip Away Breeding Fees

Hopewell Farm is suing to recover $79,500 in breeding fees and taxes from Irish American Bloodhorse Agency, which bred two mares to 1998 Horse of the Year Skip Away.

On to Donn for Red Bullet; Sir Bear's Next Start Undecided

After finishing second to 9-year-old Sir Bear in Saturday's Skip Away Handicap (gr. III), trainer Joe Orseno said Red Bullet will race next in the 1 1/8-mile Donn Handicap (gr. I). Other Skip Away runners likely to return in the Donn are Traditionally and Skip Away third-place finisher Hal's Hope. The connections of the valiant Sir Bear are undecided on the gelding's next start.

No Decision Yet on Where Point Given Will Stand at Stud

Richard Mulhall, racing manager of Prince Ahmed Salman's Thoroughbred Corp., said there has been "a lot of interest" in standing recently retired Point Given at stud but that "absolutely nothing" has been decided regarding the colt's future as a stallion. Meanwhile, Point Given will be paraded between races on Del Mar's closing program Wednesday and trainer Bob Baffert said the son of Thunder Gulch would be shipped on Thursday to The Thoroughbred Corp. farm in Bradbury Estates near Santa Anita.

Seattle Slew Tops Sire Average on Keeneland Opener

Taylor Made Farm stallion Saint Ballado sired the $4-million session topper on the Monday night opener to the Keeneland July select yearling sale, but Three Chimneys Farm's venerable Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew was leading sire by average on the evening, with two colts selling for an average price of $1,925,000.