Our thoughts turn to the second wave of 3-year-olds, who were late developing and appear to be coming into their own, and should be peaking in August. This is where we find the Arrogates and the West Coasts and the V.E. Days.
Steve Haskin reflects on his life experiences in this special tribute to his father.
Now that Justify has completed the most unconventional and unprecedented Triple Crown sweep of all time, we can only look ahead to more special moments.
But first and foremost, I am sticking with my No. 1 ranked Kentucky Derby horse Vino Rosso, who had virtually no chance at Churchill Downs.
In a corner of the barn, Risen Star’s troublesome ankle was being tubbed in ice, and it was still to be determined whether the handsome, strapping son of Secretariat would be able to run in the Test of the Champion.
And then there was 2004 and Smarty Jones, whose defeat at the hands of 36-1 Birdstone still haunts many of those who witnessed it.
Four days after the Derby, a race was run at Aqueduct that seemed to have no bearing whatsoever on the Triple Crown, as a striking golden chestnut colt with a white blaze named Stage Door Johnny broke his maiden in his fourth attempt.
In some ways it seemed appropriate that all we saw of Justify in the stretch of the Preakness Stakes was a ghostly shroud, with his white silks and white face, emerging from the murk that had settled on Pimlico Race Course.
Slop or no slop, the Preakness Stakes looks pretty cut-and-dried on paper, or perhaps it should be cut-and-wet. The likely sloppy track will be nothing new to Justify and Good Magic, the two standout horses who dominate the morning line odds.
There is one horse likely waiting for the Belmont Stakes who is tucked away far from the action, enjoying the tranquility of Saratoga Race Course and unwinding after an eventful trip in the soggy Run for the Roses.
There is a sire we tend to overlook as a dominant influence, but who produced two daughters that are responsible for the majority of today’s top stars.
Three years earlier, Justify was romping about the fields of John D. Gunther’s Glennwood Farm outside Versailles, Kentucky alongside another colt, later to be named Vino Rosso.
In order to tackle this year’s fascinating, but perplexing, Kentucky Derby, we have to start by envisioning how the race is going to be run.
The last Derby Dozen for 2018 is here. Do you agree with Steve's rankings? Who's your pick?
The son of Medaglia d'Oro will wear Spendthrift Farm silks in the Kentucky Derby as a gift to B. Wayne Hughes on behalf of the colt's owner and racing partner, Mick Ruis.
Now that the prep races are over, find out who is impressing Steve in the morning as the Derby grows nearer.
Is it possible that it is the Irish-trained Mendelssohn who actually is the freak?
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.
Vino Rosso remains at number one, but Solomini drops out of the top 12. Find out who takes his place on the Derby Dozen.
There is a new number one on the Derby Dozen, but it might be a surprise.
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.
Find out where Steve ranks UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn.
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.
Two stakes horses from last weekend made this week's Derby Dozen.
The Rebel winner makes an appearance on the Derby Dozen. Find out where Steve ranks Magnum Moon
Although the top spots remained the same, the busy racing weekend resulted in some new faces in the Derby Dozen.
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.
There's a new number one on the Derby Dozen, and the Fountain of Youth winner makes an appearance.
The only world Dr. Fager had not conquered was the grass.
Group aims to halt Thoroughbreds being shipped to slaughter.
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."
No big changes in the Derby Dozen, but there is always something interesting in the details.
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.
Find out which winner from Presidents' Day weekend made the Derby Dozen.
How did results of last weekend's Derby preps affect the Dozen?
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.
Did last weekend's stakes cause a shakeup in the Derby Dozen? Find out who the biggest movers were.
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.
A couple of new faces on the Derby Dozen, as we get ready for a big weekend.
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.
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.
The first Derby Dozen of 2018 is here! Find out who is number one, and who else made the list.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
