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There was nothing flashy about Ghostzapper's appearance, and nothing flamboyant about his personality. You certainly wouldn't pick him out in a crowd. In the barn, you wouldn't even know he was around, especially considering his favorite pastime is sleeping.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005It took a while for it to sink in, but the magnitude of Smarty Jones' accomplishments in 2004 finally hit trainer John Servis like a ton of bricks. "Gosh, I won the Kentucky Derby!" he said to himself while driving recently with jockey Stewart Elliott.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005Even though folks are aware the future book is normally a bad bet, with good horses priced way too low, some still can't help taking the plunge. So, here's a look at what's out there.
Monday, January 24, 2005If you can't relate to eating bugs on some island you can't pronounce or selling chocolate bars on the street in order to win a high-powered job with Donald Trump, there finally is a reality TV series you can relate to, and that is "American Dream Derby," which premieres Monday Jan. 10 on the Game Show Network.
Friday, January 07, 2005By Steve Haskin -- When it came to sheer toughness, Broad Brush was in a class by himself.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004Bobby Frankel had it all figured out as he spoke with owner Ken Ramsey outside barn B2 two days before the Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park. He knew he had the best horse in the day's biggest race, the $4-million Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I). More importantly, he was convinced he had the horse of a lifetime--the one all trainers dream about.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004If there is one sure thing when it comes to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships it's that you can count on several longshots coming in, with one or two monster-priced horses lighting up the tote board. So, once again, here are several bombs to keep an eye on.
Friday, October 29, 2004They say Lone Star Park's dirt and grass surfaces are identical to those at Santa Anita Park, which may account for this year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships drawing the identical number of pre-entered horses as last year, when the event was held at the Arcadia, Calif., racetrack.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004No matter how much time one spends studying the past performances and various speed figures for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), they still won't be able to feel secure picking a winner.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004Three repeat winners, including The Blood-Horse senior correspondent Steve Haskin, and one newcomer collected divisional honors in Churchill Downs' 22nd annual 2004 Red Smith Kentucky Derby Writing Contest, a competition that honors the finest print media coverage of this year's famed "Run for the Roses."
Friday, October 15, 2004The $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sep. 6 may draw as many as 12 to 13 starters, in what promises to be a competitive race. Although the absence of Smarty Jones will be felt by the expected large holiday crowd, the 1 1/8-mile race is expected to draw some of the top 3-year-olds in the country.
Friday, September 03, 2004Retired jockey Patricia Cooksey, trainer Noble Threewitt, and Blood-Horse senior correspondent Steve Haskin have been selected to receive awards from the National Turf Writers Association during the organization's dinner Oct. 27 in Dallas in conjunction with Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships week.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004Blood-Horse senior correspondent Steve Haskin was at Philadelphia Park on Saturday, Aug. 14 for Smarty Jones' farewell appearance. He reports on the ceremony and reflects on the colt's meteoric rise to stardom and untimely retirement.
Thursday, August 26, 2004By Steve Haskin -- Cries of "Smarty! Smarty!" and "We love you, Smarty," poured out from the large crowd gathered along the rail from one end of the stretch to the other. It was one final burst of emotion from an adoring public who opened their hearts to this dynamo of a horse.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004Steve Haskin, senior correspondent for The Blood-Horse, reports the latest developments from Saratoga.
Thursday, August 19, 2004Steve Haskin, senior correspondent for The Blood-Horse, reports the latest developments from Saratoga.
Sunday, August 15, 2004Winchell Thoroughbreds' Tapit, winner of the Wood Memorial (gr. I), may make his next start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Monmouth on Aug. 8, racing manager David Fiske said Tuesday.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004It's been 20 days since the Belmont Stakes (gr. I); 20 quiet days for Smarty Jones, who has only been walking the shed since his valiant, but unsuccessful quest to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner. On Friday, Smarty paid his first visit back to the track, stretching his legs in a one-mile jog.
Friday, June 25, 2004This year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I) in the end was not about two jockeys ganging up on Smarty Jones. It wasn't about the ride by Stewart Elliott. It was all about class, as was the entire Triple Crown.
Thursday, June 10, 2004By Steve Haskin -- Birdstone wins the Belmont, denies Smarty Jones the Triple Crown.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004Yes, it is blasphemous to even think that Smarty Jones will be beaten in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). But it is still a horse race, and a mile and a half one to boot. And there will be some people who will try to win money and beat the favorite. Although I hate to even suggest that will happen, this column is for them. To all Smarty Jones fans who think this is a lock, read on at your own risk.
Saturday, June 05, 2004Looking at the handsome Smarty Jones today, it's hard to believe he once was so disfigured he was known as Quasimodo around the New Jersey Equine Clinic, where he had been brought after smashing up his head and face in a starting gate incident last spring.
Sunday, May 16, 2004It's not easy to bet against Smarty Jones in Saturday's Preakness Stakes. You're trying to beat perfection, as well as forces that may very well be guiding the colt into a special place in history. Can anyone hope to derail one of the greatest feel-good stories ever? As sacrilegious as it may seem, let's at least give it a try.
Friday, May 14, 2004By Steve Haskin -- Get out the cheese steaks and pretzels. It's party time in Philly. Smarty Jones remains unbeaten with Kentucky Derby victory.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004So, we're suddenly down to 18, and Eddington's and Rock Hard Ten's connections can only wonder what if. Now, finally comes the question: how do you make sense of one of the wildest and most perplexing Kentucky Derby's (gr I) ever.
Friday, April 30, 2004After beginning his gallop aggressively, but controllable, Smarty Jones put it into high gear, and up from the saddle shot 170-pound exercise rider Pete Van Trump, whose broad shoulders make him look like Dick Butkus compared to other exercise riders. But to Smarty Jones, he was a mere rag doll.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004After beginning his gallop aggressively, but controllable, Smarty Jones put it into high gear, and up from the saddle shot 170-pound exercise rider Pete Van Trump, whose broad shoulders make him look like Dick Butkus compared to other exercise riders. But to Smarty Jones, he was a mere rag doll.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004After beginning his gallop aggressively, but controllable, Smarty Jones put it into high gear, and up from the saddle shot 170-pound exercise rider Pete Van Trump, whose broad shoulders make him look like Dick Butkus compared to other exercise riders. But to Smarty Jones, he was a mere rag doll.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004The works have all but wound down, there's one more day of anxiety left for Bob Baffert before he and Jerry Bailey are officially united, and only Tapit remains of those missing in action. Starting tomorrow, the focus will be on gallops, as well as a pair of blowouts, to see just who's looking super out there.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004They came one right after the other; first Lion Heart, then The Cliff's Edge, then Rock Hard Ten, then Read the Footnotes. Three of the faces were familiar, but the chestnut wearing the figure-8 and martingale was a stranger in town. Just when everyone had gotten used to seeing Lion Heart, poof, he was gone.
Monday, April 26, 2004This year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) can be broken up into three categories -– Favorites, live longshots, and potential overlays. The favorites are obvious and the longshots will be dealt with at a later date. But if there is one horse who can have bettors pulling their hair out for not having him, it's Wimbledon.
Sunday, April 25, 2004Although the blistering five-furlong works by Smarty Jones and Birdstone dominated the morning activities Saturday, it was the well-conceived plan by Song of the Sword's owner Ernie Paragallo that set several major events in motion.
Sunday, April 25, 2004The moment of truth is at hand, as several Kentucky Derby (gr. I) scenarios are played out over the next couple of days. At Churchill Downs, the biggest activity Friday morning was trying to dodge the rain. But the miserable weather was brightened momentarily by the presence of the unbeaten Smarty Jones.
Friday, April 23, 2004Trainer Dick Mandella was looking for a big work from Action This Day Thursday morning to convince him last year's champion 2-year-old could rebound from two poor efforts. After the colt's six-furlong work in company with 2-year-old filly champ Halfbridled, Mandella had his answer.
Thursday, April 22, 2004With scattered showers and predictions of heavy rains in the afternoon, what little activity there was on the track this morning came early. In addition to the arrival of Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Friends Lake at 9:40, there was a mini buzz about the possible addition of the top-class filly Ashado to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) field.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004All eyes were on Wood Memorial (gr. I) runner-up Master David, who was the only Kentucky Derby (gr. I) worker at Churchill Downs this morning, and the pocket-sized chestnut brought a smile to trainer Bobby Frankel's face when he worked five furlongs in 1:01 2/5, which was exactly what Frankel was looking for.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004Live from Churchill Downs, it's the countdown to the 130th Run for the Roses, which can best be described as Derby Daze. If you thought it was an adventure finding Nemo, good luck trying to find this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner. After three months of confusion, the final leg of the journey starts today.
Monday, April 19, 2004Arkansas Derby (gr. II) winner Smarty Jones took up residence on the Keeneland backstretch Wednesday following a van ride from Oaklawn Park. Trainer John Servis said Smarty Jones will van over to Churchill Downs on April 23, and will remain there until the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Wednesday, April 14, 2004OK, so who's in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and who's out? Who will be the favorite? Who really are the fast horses and who are the slow horses? Who's going to ride whom? Oh, yes, who's going to win? The answer to all these questions: Who knows?
Tuesday, April 13, 2004You can go over Value Plus, Eddington, Master David, Tapit, Lion Heart, Preachinatthebar, The Cliff's Edge, Action This Day, Smarty Jones, Borrego, and Purge all you want and you'll still likely come away confused. So, why not follow the trend this year and start looking at some bombs this weekend.
Friday, April 09, 2004Never before has there been a long gray line of 3-year-olds like the one that is heading for Churchill Downs this year. The question is, is there some mysterious force being emitted from the Twin Spires that is drawing all these grays to Louisville? There just might be.
Friday, April 09, 2004Never before has there been a long gray line of 3-year-olds like the one that is heading for Churchill Downs this year. The question is, is there some mysterious force being emitted from the Twin Spires that is drawing all these grays to Louisville? There just might be.
Thursday, April 08, 2004Before the entries are drawn for this weekend's big Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preps, and the races can be fully analyzed, this is a good time to briefly take one more look back at last weekend's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and offer a few odds and ends about the upcoming races.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004From out of the fog that has shrouded the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail all year comes two colts with regal-sounding names. But for Castledale and Imperialism, it's been quite an odd journey getting to the footsteps of hallowed Churchill Downs.
Sunday, April 04, 2004From out of the fog that has shrouded the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail all year comes two colts with regal-sounding names. But for Castledale and Imperialism, it's been quite an odd journey getting to the footsteps of hallowed Churchill Downs.
Sunday, April 04, 2004With the Pool 3 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) Future Wager bets locked in before the big April 10 preps, this is when you can actually get good value for your money. Just find a Funny Cide-type of horse and get past one more hurdle next weekend..
Thursday, April 01, 2004Although many have already written off this year's 3-year-old crop and are expecting a muddled mess in the 130th Kentucky Derby (gr. I), there are several feasible scenarios, beginning with this weekend's preps, that could actually make this an unforgettable Run for the Roses.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004With plenty of down time left before the flood of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preps begin on April 3, this is a good opportunity to continue looking for new angles, new faces, and a new perspective on the Derby picture.
Friday, March 26, 2004The first course is over. It is time to take a deep breath and digest the odd smorgasbord of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preps that has been laid out so far. Racing fans are starving for something more substantial, and they should get it beginning with the April 3 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and Illinois Derby (gr. II).
Wednesday, March 24, 2004It seems as if each Monday brings with it a new set of excuses for beaten favorites in Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preps. Some will prove to be legitimate and some won't. But the bottom line is no one has a clue who is going to win this year's Derby, which is as muddled as any in memory at such a late date.
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