Dynamic Holiday Seeks Dynamic VA Oaks Run
Dynamic Holiday has been on a roll in her last four starts, and she is looking to carry over her win streak into her first start at Colonial Downs in the July 16 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT).
Esther Marr
Funds Still Needed for Noor to Old Friends
- By Esther Marr
In my last blog post, I mentioned that sufficient funds had been raised for the body of Hall of Famer Noor to be transferred to Old Friends. It has been brought to my attention that this not the case, however. Read Blog
Catching Up With Some Old Friends
On an extremely sultry Kentucky afternoon last week, I made the 25-minute trip from my office to Old Friends' Dream Chase Farm near Georgetown, Ky. Read Blog
St. John's River Looking to Shine in Oaks
St. John's River may not have a stakes win under her belt like the majority of her rivals in the July 9 Delaware Oaks (gr. II), but considering her recent hard trying efforts, she appears ready for a major triumph.
She Be Classy Has Advantage at Delaware
The Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Delaware Park July 9 could be the perfect opportunity for She Be Classy to step up in class.
Thoroughbred Retirement: Renassaince Rescue
Many may wonder what possessed Barb Hutchison to make Thoroughbred rescue her life mission, having not grown up around the industry. Read Blog
Winner's Circle - Mandy's Way
After nearly 30 year in the business, Mandy Pope understands the value of time and patience. read blog
Turbulent Descent Headlines Acorn Field
Turbulent Descent, the only filly with grade I status entered in the TVG Acorn Stakes, will be tough to beat if the excellent form she has exhibited on the California circuit and Keeneland carries over to Belmont Park.
Ashland Winner Lilacs and Lace Sold to Japan
Ashland Stakes (gr. I) winner Lilacs and Lace was sold to a Japanese breeder for an undisclosed amount and was sent to that country shortly after the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), according to former majority owner Jim Covello
Cordero Has Confidence, Pride in Velazquez
Jockey's agent Angel Cordero, who is looking forward to watching Velazquez ride Animal Kingdom in the Belmont, discussed the temperment and riding style similarities and differences between himself and the jockey.
My Preakness Experience Via Video
Beyond the Blinkers presents video from the 2011 Preakness. read blog
Scat Daddy Sires First Winner
Dual grade I winner and 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender Scat Daddy sired his first winner when his daughter Little Miss Muffet won her career debut.
Indian Charlie Offspring a Big Hit at FT Sale
Not long after a $600,000 Indian Charlie colt became the new sale topper during the auction's second session, another colt by that sire was hammered down for half that amount.
A Year Apart - By Esther Marr
Apart may still be overshadowed by a prominent former stablemate-champion Blame-but similarities between the two horses exist. Read Blog
'Kegasus' Does Part to Boost Preakness
Two days following the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico, MJC president Tom Chuckas admitted a large part of this year's InfieldFest success rested on the shoulders of its centaur mascot Kegasus.
No Explaining Scores Victory in Gallorette
Irish-bred No Explaining finally held on for the first black-type score of her career when she prevailed impressively by a length over a strong late challenge from two rivals in the May 21 Gallorette Handicap (gr. III).
Wilson Wins Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge
When Canadian Emma-Jayne Wilson won the inaugural $30,000 Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland May 20, it was a no-brainer for her to turn around and donate the winner's share to a worthy cause.
Ventana Seeks First Non-CA Win in MD Sprint
Ventana, the only previous graded stakes winner entered in the Maryland Sprint (gr. III), is seeking his first score outside California. The race, which attracted a field of nine, will be contested at six furlongs May 21.
Baze Autopsy Reports Inconclusive
Preliminary autopsy results on jockey Michael Baze, who was found dead in his vehicle May 10 in the Churchill Downs stable area, point to no anatomical cause of death pending a toxicology report.
Flooding Delays Training at Ellis Park
Ellis Park director of operations Bob Jackson said in spite of the Kentucky River flooding around the facility a week prior to the Kentucky Derby, simulcast numbers were not significantly affected.
My Oaks/Derby Week in Photos
- By Esther Marr
From the heartbreaking phone call I made to John Greathouse about his ill-fated filly Devil May Care, to the quiet beauty of the descending twilight on Oaks night, to the thrilling Derby finish of Animal Kingdom Read Blog
Battle of Hastings Doing Well After Surgery
Multiple graded stakes winner Battle of Hastings, who suffered a condylar fracture to his right front leg during the May 7 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs, came out of surgery well May 8.
Diva Ash Boosts Resume With Edgewood Score
Diva Ash didn't let a lack of experience stand in the way of victory in the May 6 Edgewood Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.
Beyond the Blinkers: Last Minute Oaks Picks
- By Esther Marr
Strictly from a handicapping standpoint, I will give you my three top picks for the Kentucky Oaks and tell you why. Read Blog
Chicago Resident Wins $100,000 Bet in Derby
Chicago resident Dave Flores has won a chance to place a life-changing $100,000 bet in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Backstretch Snapshot: Her Smile
Her Smile is a filly that came into the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) game a little late and lacks the buzz factor that has surrounded some of the other contenders in the Run for the Lilies. Read Blog
Devil May Care Loses Battle With Cancer
Multiple grade I winner Devil May Care, a starter in the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), was euthanized May 4 after a confirmed diagnosis of lymphosarcoma, a form of cancer.
Backstretch Snapshot: Joyful Victory
Beyond the Blinkers captured Kentucky Oaks favorite Joyful Victory as she entered the track May 4. Read Blog
Joyful Victory Favored in Deep Oaks Field
Fox Hills Farms' Joyful Victory, runaway winner of Oaklawn Park's Honeybee (gr. III) and Fantasy (gr. II) in her past two starts, tops a stellar cast of 13 3-year-old fillies entered in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Baker's Dozen Set for Kentucky Oaks
Fox Hill Farm's Joyful Victory drew the rail when 13 fillies were entered May 3 for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Backstretch Snapshot: St. John's River
Beyond the Blinkers talks with Andy Leggio, trainer of 20-1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) shot St. John's River. Read Blog
Daisy Devine, Plum Pretty Have Final Works
Daisy Devine and Plum Pretty complete final drills for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Joyful Victory Posts Bullet Work at Churchill
Joyful Victory, who is pointed toward the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), worked five furlongs in :59 1/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of May 1.
More Oaks Possibles Work at Churchill
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) possible starters Street Storm and St. John's River had tune-ups at Churchill Downs April 28.
Daisy Devine: Cinderella Story of the Oaks
From a $5,500 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase to grade II winner, Daisy Devine has proven to be a brilliant investment for owner James Miller's two-horse stable. Read Blog
Oaks-Bound Fillies Work at Churchill
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful fillies R Heat Lightning, Plum Pretty, Holy Heavens, and Daisy Devine all posted workouts during a busy morning at Churchill Downs April 26.
Midnight Interlude Posts Bullet Work
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude posted his third consecutive bullet workout when he covered six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 on the Churchill Downs main track the morning of April 26.
Dancinginherdreams No Longer Oaks-Bound
Dancinginherdreams, who had been working toward the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), will skip the Run for the Lilies due to her poor performance in the April 9 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.
Lilacs and Lace: Ready for Lilies
There are several special aspects of the story of Lilacs and Lace, a homebred daughter of Flower Alley who burst onto the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) scene with a victory in the April 9 Ashland Stakes (gr. I).
KY Oaks Name Game: Who's Your Pick?
Read about the name meanings of some of this year's Kentucky Oaks-bound fillies. Read Blog
Kathmanblu: An Unlikely Superstar
Even with her third-place effort in the April 9 Ashland Stakes (gr. I), grade III winner Kathmanblu has high hopes resting on her shoulders leading up to the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Old Friends Experiencing Financial Woes
Old Friends, one of the most well-known and supported Thoroughbred retirement facilities in the country, has fallen on financial woes due to a clerical error by its bank.
Wise Dan Seeks Second Stakes at Keeneland
A short field of five, three of which are graded stakes winners, will go postward in the April 16 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. II).
Kathmanblu Heads Deep Ashland Field
Five D Thoroughbreds and Wind River Stables' homebred filly Kathmanblu, a stakes winner on grass and dirt, will attempt to transfer that form to Keeneland's Polytrack surface April 9 in the Central Bank Ashland (gr. I).
Dancinginherdreams Still Dreaming of the Oaks
Trainer John Ward has a master plan in mind for the daughter of Tapit. Read Blog
Women Riders Stepping Up
- By Esther Marr
Esther Marr talks with Karma Kitaj, author of the book 'Women Riders Who Could...and Did: Life Stories of Top Level Equestriennes.' Read Blog
Actress Taylor Had Ties to Horse Racing
- By Esther Marr
Iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor, who had a lifelong interest in horses and starred in the film "National Velvet," died March 23 at age 79.
Ball Four Retired, Sent to Old Friends
Ball Four, a son of Grand Slam, has been retired and sent to Old Friends near Midway, Ky. Michael Blowen, owner of Old Friends related the story of how he got the gelding.
Retired Racehorse Spotlight: Icy Edge
- By Esther Marr
Sometimes it seems that certain horse-rider combinations were just meant to be. Read Blog
JRA Reports Farms OK But Tracks Damaged
Reports from different areas of Japan have so far indicated no major farm damage on Hokkaido as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Tracks and OTBs in the Northeast district have been damaged.
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