Why spend a million dollars on an untried yearling when you can buy a piece of history? We're not talking just any piece of history, but items that represent three superstars of The Turf, Secretariat, Dr. Fager, and Arts and Letters.
Despite the emergence of numerous equine superstars and three more Triple Crown winners, Secretariat is still the gift that keeps giving. More than four decades later, his name still is part of our vernacular and in many ways of our culture.
In terms of handle, United States horse racing enjoyed a steady second quarter, an important metric as it includes the three Triple Crown races.
Lazy Lane Farm's Hansel, winner of the 1991 Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) and subsequently Eclipse Award winner as champion 3-year-old colt that season, was euthanized June 13 due to the infirmities of old age. He was 29.
Claire Novak pays a visit to Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit and checks in on the status of several other Belmont contenders including Irish War Cry, Patch, Gormley, Senior Investment, and Hollywood Handsome.
Claire Novak recaps the Belmont Stakes, where Tapwrit ran down Irish War Cry to become the third Belmont Stakes winner sired by Gainesway's Tapit, and trainer Todd Pletcher's third Belmont Stakes winner as well. Also an update on Hollywood Handsome.
Claire Novak reports on the status of Belmont Stakes contender Epicharis, who was seen Friday morning by the New York Racing Association's chief examining veterinarian. Also includes footage of Tapwrit, Meantime, Senior Investment, and more!
Here we are at the end of the road--the often unpredictable Belmont Stakes, without the Kentucky Derby or Preakness winner, without the favorite Classic Empire, and with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the head of the Japanese invader Epicharis.
Curlin was a champion who dominated the sport ... except for those spring days in 2007 when he faced two fellow members of his 3-year-old crop, Street Sense and Hard Spun.
Carrot Farm's Japanese-bred multiple stakes winner Epicharis arrived at Belmont Park June 1 ahead of his North American debut in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10.
John Oxley's Classic Empire, who finished second in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) by a head, is scheduled to begin preparations for the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1) with a morning jog May 25 at Churchill Downs.
Comments from the connections of 2017 Preakness winner Cloud Computing, including trainer Chad Brown and jockey Javier Castellano.
Claire Novak sets the scene for the 142nd Preakness Stakes. Current track condition is muddy, but no more rain is forecast.
Thanks in part to the lessons instilled by his former boss, trainer Todd Pletcher is nothing if not his own man now, with the enviable problem of constantly trying to kick his own bar of success to ever higher levels.
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming was assigned post 4 and installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite May 17 at the post position draw for the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
Claire Novak recaps Always Dreaming's win in Kentucky Derby 143 and shares post race details.
Following a tracking trip under John Velazquez, Always Dreaming took command in the stretch to score a 2 3/4-length victory in the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) May 6 at Churchill Downs.
America's Best Racing catches up with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at Ashford Stud, to see how the retired superstar is enjoying his second career as a stallion.
Thoroughbreds race and breeze far less frequently than the stars of yesteryear, as evidenced by the record of 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault, trained by Max Hirsch for King Ranch.
Mike Tirico, who was recently named NBC's primetime Olympics host, will be taking the Triple Crown hosting reins from Tom Hammond, an award-winning member of NBC Sports' horse racing team for more than three decades.
A BloodHorse Magazine recap of the Kentucky Derby won by Whirlaway that ran in the May 10, 1941 issue. The story, written by BloodHorse staff, carried the headline of, "No Doubt About It."
A Thoroughbred Horse Association Bulletin recap of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes won by Sir Barton that ran in the May 1919 issue. The story is a staff report recap of Sir Barton's Derby and Preakness wins.
A BloodHorse magazine (issue of May 15, 1937) recap of War Admiral's 1937 Kentucky Derby victory.
A BloodHorse magazine (issue of May 15, 1937) recap of Affirmed's 1978 Kentucky Derby victory. The story carried the headline, "Like He Always Does."
A BloodHorse magazine (issue of May 24, 1930) recap of Gallant Fox's 1930 Kentucky Derby victory.
A BloodHorse magazine (issue of May 9, 2015) recap of American Pharoah's 2015 Kentucky Derby victory. The story carried the headline, "A Part of History, American Pharoah allows Ahmed Zayat to enter the Derby winner’s circle."
A BloodHorse magazine recap of Citation's Kentucky Derby win from the May 8, 1948 issue. The story, written by Alex Bower, carried the headline, "Calumet, Jones, and Arcaro Pitch Another Shutout in the Derby."
A BloodHorse magazine recap of Count Fleet's Kentucky Derby win that ran in the May 8, 1943 issue of BloodHorse. A staff report, the story carried the headline, "War Derby."
A BloodHorse Magazine recap of Assault's victory in the 1946 Kentucky Derby from the May 11, 1946 issue. The story, written by Alex Bower, carried the headline, "A Horse Race and a Picnic, the 72nd Kentucky Derby."
A BloodHorse Magazine recap of the Kentucky Derby won by Omaha that ran in the May 11, 1935 issue. The story is a staff report that carried the to-the-point headline of, "The Kentucky Derby."
The details in the Dozen make the difference as the Derby draws near.
How did the Arkansas Derby impact the Derby Dozen? Was Classic Empire's performance enough to propel him back to the top.
How did the weekend stakes results impact the Derby Dozen? Did Blue Grass winner Irap make the cut?
There's a new number one in the Derby Dozen, and the return of an old face at number 12
The top three finishers in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) exited in good order and connections said that all will be heading to Louisville to prepare for the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Does the new addition to Derby Dozen prove that Steve Haskin is always dreaming?
Was Malagacy's Rebel performance enough to secure a place in the Derby Dozen?
It was a busy morning March 10 at Oaklawn Park for 3-year-olds pointing toward the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2), with top local prospects Petrov, Silver Dust, and Uncontested all posting impressive works.
Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Girvin has put together past performances that hint at the combination of careful planning and needed adjustments required in Thoroughbred training.
Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, the name Darby Dan Farm and the Galbreath family were synonymous with the Triple Crown, especially the Kentucky Derby.
On the heels of his 3 3/4-length triumph in the Feb. 4 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (G2), Irish War Cry can give trainer Graham Motion the distinction of having a divisional favorite should he prevail in the Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth (G2)
BloodHorse celebrates the 40th anniversary of the unbeaten Triple Crown winner’s campaign with the first-in-a-series look at his 3-year-old debut March 9 at Hialeah Park.
Late-breaking news that McCraken will miss the Tampa Bay Derby due to a minor ankle injury has scrambled things up at the last minute. And, there is another new face amongst the 12.
Three Rules worked five furlongs in :58.91 and Beasley worked four furlongs in :48.11, both firing the bullet for their respective distances Feb. 24 at Gulfstream Park.
The Southwest provides a new face for the Derby Dozen, and those knocking on the door include a Japanese hopeful, Epicharis
Trainer Doug O'Neill and Reddam Racing will look to sweep the two winter derbies at Golden Gate Fields and repeat in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3) Feb. 18.
A look at how American Pharoah inspired Jon Parkerson to turn his life around.
Did McCraken's victory in the Sam F. Davis propel him to the number one spot? Are there any new faces among the dozen?
The 3-year-old stakes results caused a shake up in the Derby Dozen. Who is the new number 1?
In honor of American Pharoah's Birthday, I thought I would reprint my column recapping his historic Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown victory. Brings back a lot of special memories.
