Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - April 24, 2018
Now that the prep races are over, find out who is impressing Steve in the morning as the Derby grows nearer.
Steve Haskin
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Is He a "Men" Among Boys?
Is it possible that it is the Irish-trained Mendelssohn who actually is the freak?
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A Giant Among Horses
Giant's Causeway became a world-class sire on both grass and dirt. To Europeans, he will always be "The Iron Horse," indestructible and indefatigable.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - April 17, 2018
Vino Rosso remains at number one, but Solomini drops out of the top 12. Find out who takes his place on the Derby Dozen.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - April 10, 2018
There is a new number one on the Derby Dozen, but it might be a surprise.
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It's Jim French Time Again
The story of Jim French, one of the most indestructible, indefatigable horses of the modern era, has faded into history, taking with it the colt’s remarkable feats of durability on the racetrack and the notorious final chapter of his career.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - April 3, 2018
Find out where Steve ranks UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn.
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Canonero vs. Riva Ridge: Battle of Ky. Derby Winners
Once upon a time in a far off land, there lived a Thoroughbred racehorse named Canonero, whose remarkable story whipped through two continents with hurricane-like force, tearing the pages right out of the history books.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - March 27, 2018
Two stakes horses from last weekend made this week's Derby Dozen.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - March 20, 2018
The Rebel winner makes an appearance on the Derby Dozen. Find out where Steve ranks Magnum Moon
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - March 13, 2018
Although the top spots remained the same, the busy racing weekend resulted in some new faces in the Derby Dozen.
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Dr. Fager 1968 Part 5: Farewell, Doc
Dr. Fager emerged from his street brawl in the United Nations Handicap in good shape, despite having to withstand the fight of his life against the tenacious Advocator, the 134 pounds on his back, and the 22-pound weight concession to his adversary.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - March 6, 2018
There's a new number one on the Derby Dozen, and the Fountain of Youth winner makes an appearance.
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Dr. Fager 1968 Part 4: Courage on the Grass
The only world Dr. Fager had not conquered was the grass.
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Porter Forms Organization to Save Horses
Group aims to halt Thoroughbreds being shipped to slaughter.
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Porter Forms Horse Welfare Organization
Porter has formed the National Thoroughbred Welfare Organization, which will "pull from all available resources to be a comprehensive welfare organization that protects racing's greatest asset--the horse--for the overall benefit of the sport."
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - February 27, 2018
No big changes in the Derby Dozen, but there is always something interesting in the details.
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Dr. Fager 1968 Part 3: The Unbreakable Record
Everyone knew the world record was in jeopardy as soon as Nerud announced his plans to ship to Arlington, despite Dr. Fager being assigned 134 pounds.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - February 20, 2018
Find out which winner from Presidents' Day weekend made the Derby Dozen.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - February 13, 2018
How did results of last weekend's Derby preps affect the Dozen?
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Dr. Fager 1968 Part 2: Epic Battles With Damascus
Racing fans had been clamoring for a rematch between racing's two titans since the previous September when Damascus crushed Dr. Fager in the Woodward Stakes to clinch 3-year-old and Horse of the Year honors.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - February 6, 2018
Did last weekend's stakes cause a shakeup in the Derby Dozen? Find out who the biggest movers were.
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Dr. Fager and the Greatest Year Ever Part 1
It is 2018, which means the 50th anniversary of what many believe to be the single greatest year by a Thoroughbred in modern times. No horse has ever excelled at as many facets of the sport in one year as did the legendary Dr. Fager.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - January 30, 2018
A couple of new faces on the Derby Dozen, as we get ready for a big weekend.
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Second Chance at a Dream
The Kentucky Derby winner is back, just as the sport's main star, Gun Runner, arrives as Three Chimneys Farm to embark on his new career.
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The Philadelphia Story: Eagles and Smarty Jones
There is one thing, however, Philadelphia can boast that no other major sports city can. They can boast celebrating a horse as a bona fide hero.
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Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - January 23, 2018
The first Derby Dozen of 2018 is here! Find out who is number one, and who else made the list.
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To Save a Life: The Greatest Feeling in Racing
But in the end, it is the efforts of individuals like Dina Alborano, whose sweat and toil and many sleepless nights, that have resulted in the saving of so many horses' lives.
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Some Random Derby Thoughts as the Dozen Draws Near
It is an arduous journey, and we have seen many, including a number of potential superstars, fall by the wayside, never getting a chance to prove their greatness.
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2018 Brings a Volatile and Special 50th Anniversary
We have some amazing 50th anniversaries in Thoroughbred racing to look forward to; anniversaries of some of the greatest horses in history, some of the most amazing performances, and certainly one of the most controversial stories of the century.
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Juveniles Close Out Year With a Bang
Many people believe that once the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Remsen Stakes, and Los Alamitos Futurity are run, that is the end of the 2-year-old season as far as seeing potential Kentucky Derby hopefuls in action. However, that is not the case.
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Casandra Branick One of Many Heroes
Casandra Branick, barn manager and exercise rider for trainer Edward Freeman, would rather talk about the heroic deeds of so many others who risked their lives to save horses during the San Luis Rey Downs nightmare.
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A Time For Heroes
Never in memory have so many horse lovers sacrificed so much and worked so diligently in assisting the horses at San Luis Rey Downs through their horrible and frightening ordeal.
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Vox Populi Award Gaining its Niche in History
If there was a Vox Populi Award in 1938, Seabiscuit most likely would have won a larger percentage of votes for that award than for Horse of Year, considering he won only six of his 11 starts that year.
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Bolt d'Oro Taking the Right Path
I have stated on several occasions that I am a firm believer in starting a horse's 3-year-old campaign in a sprint to sharpen him up for the rigors of the Triple Crown trail.
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Giving Thanks: Thoroughbred Times Days
It was the winter of 1986, and I was in a major lull in my potential writing career. I was just becoming enthusiastic about racing again after a brief hiatus in 1982, '83 and '84, during which my wife Joan and I had become fanatic birdwatchers
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The Unsolved Mystery of Arrogate
We should remember the Arrogate who raised goose bumps on our arms and left us numb from the experience of watching him run. And we should ignore the phantom who floundered at Del Mar, as we would any mirage.
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The Return of Swaps
This was the extent of my racing foundation, and it all started with Swaps and Nashua and two guys talking about them on a bus. After all, how could you not love the name Swaps?
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Mornings With Gun Runner
Steve Haskin reflects on his time spent with Gun Runner at Saratoga.
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Selection Saturday: Bombs Away
Once again, this is about longshots and value. I don’t have enough money to bet favorites and pick 6’s and superfectas, so I’ve got to take a few stabs.
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An Unexpected Loaded Gun for the Classic?
But let's start by being more logical. The Classic is simple: Arrogate or Gun Runner? That is where everyone will be focusing their attention. In the two previous showdowns between these two antagonists, Arrogate proved to be the fastest gun alive.
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Friday Races Have a Little Bit of Everything
Steve Haskin shares his thoughts on the Breeders' Cup Friday fields including the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf, and Distaff.
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Angles Galore on European Longshots
This has to be one of the deepest contingents of European invaders, with a number of proven contenders, and a number of live longshots who could very well be sitting on a huge upset.
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Why Gunnevera Should Run Well at Del Mar
In the case of Gunnevera, he has one main weapon, and that is a wicked turn of foot and an explosive move on the far turn. As powerful a weapon as that can be, it is not meant to be sustained over a distance of ground.
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O'Brien Resolute in Pursuit of the Classic
Few, if any, owners and trainers have been more on a mission to win a single race than Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien when it comes to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which has eluded them for 17 years.
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Pace the Key to an Oscar Performance
Now that Brian Lynch has decided to forge ahead to the Breeders' Cup Turf with Oscar Performance, he has to figure out how to beat the Euros and the American older horses going a mile and a half.
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Still Dreaming After All
Ulcers, good news? Most definitely when it not only provided an explanation for Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming's abrupt form reversal, it virtually plucked him out of retirement and put him on the path for a 4-year-old campaign.
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The Empire That Almost Was
There is no doubt the greatness was there with Classic Empire. And there is no doubt it was confronted by enough obstacles to prevent it from fully surfacing. But it did on occasion manage to trickle out, to show the world what might have been.
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Zenyatta Video the Perfect Holiday Gift
Steve shares his take on the new "Zenyatta: Queen of Racing" video.
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Keen Ice Right Where He Wants to Be
Keen Ice may have lost the battle, as in the $750,000 purse of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but don't be surprised when the war is over on the evening of November 4 he is the last one standing.
