No Doubt
John Kimmel was showing a visitor around the barn at Saratoga and stepped into the stall for a meet and greet. If the big chestnut gelding cared that two humans entered his domain, he didn’t really let on.
Joe Clancy
Saving a Season 2.0: NSA adjusts spring schedule
National Steeplechase Association spring season – take two. Or three. Four? Eight? Nobody knows right now as jump racing, the Thoroughbred industry and the world are in uncharted territory with the effects of Covid-19.
NSA, meets try to save some spring jump racing
*Updated March 25 with cancelation of Willowdale and My Lady’s Manor.*
The National Steeplechase Association’s spring schedule won’t be the only thing hit by COVID-19, and it certainly won’t be the most important, but the coronavirus disease decimated the early racing lineup with cancelations and postponements and probably isn’t finished.
Talking horses, not crimes, at Fair Hill
The conversations with trainers around Fair Hill Training Center this week weren’t all about FBI investigations, indictments and cheating scandals.
Federal indictments shock, but don’t surprise
Mike Trombetta entered a horse at Gulfstream Park, saw the entries, talked things over with his owner and scratched. Chuck Lawrence hasn’t won a race from 19 starts in 2020, but a second in New York March 6 might feel like a win for a while. Tim Keefe was proud of the best horse in his barn after a third in the General George Stakes at Laurel Park last month, but might be prouder now. Lizzie Merryman trains for an owner who asked, “What’s the point?” the last time they came up against a horse from the barn of a specific trainer.
Top Euro chaser Footpad joins Fisher team
Move over Winston C, Scorpiancer, Zanjabeel, Surprising Soul, Optimus Prime . . . you’ve got company coming. Footpad, a top-rated steeplechaser in England/Ireland, arrives in trainer Jack Fisher’s barn next week after a sale to owner Sonny Via.
Bricks And Mortar leads Eclipse sweep
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters presented the 2019 Horse of the Year crown to Bricks and Mortar, undefeated in six starts last year, at the 49th Annual Runhappy Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Years after Fair Hill visit, Reid gets 2nd Super Bowl chance
After the Kansas City Chiefs dispatched the Tennessee Titans Sunday to grab a spot in Super Bowl LIV, Thoroughbred trainer Graham Motion sent a text to congratulate Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
And, like he always does, Reid responded with a thank you.
Absent Friends
To four men, a newspaper company, lives well lived and people reached by all.
