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Joe Clancy Terry Hill, the self-anointed “World’s Oldest Intern,” crossed paths with several classes of interns during his time at The Saratoga Special. He started in 2019 and stayed with us, even from afar, until sumer 2025. Terry passed away in December 2025 at age 81 and some of his co-workers and teammates remembered our friend, colleague … Read more
Vincent Bracciale Jr., whose 20-year career as a Thoroughbred jockey took him to 3,545 victories, a mount in the Kentucky Derby and two rides aboard the legendary filly Ruffian, died peacefully at home in Mount Airy, Md., Dec. 15. A husband to Terri for 53 years and father of five daughters, he was 72. One … Read more
The house is library quiet in the morning. No lip-smacking. No ear scratching. No head-shaking. No downward-dog stretches or flops from a bed, hers or someone else’s. No rolling around on the floor to unkink her back, rub the sleep out of her eyes and groan like a small bear. No deep inhales and heavy … Read more
Major hurdle races of the mid-to-late 2000s were Revolutionary, Civil, French and Indian and of 1812. Wars. The combatants brought ability, bravery, confidence, dependability, effort, fortitude and guts. Lots of guts. Hall of Famers McDynamo and Good Night Shirt were there. Champions Hirapour, Mixed Up, Slip Away manned posts. Sur La Tete, a champion in … Read more
With the retirement of American-bred stalwart Snap Decision, it’s probably fitting that a horse bred in France and imported from Ireland won the season-ending Colonial Cup Sunday. Fil Dor, part of the group brought over by Gordon Elliott for Far Hills last month, made off with the $150,000 Grade 1 at Springdale Race Course in … Read more
There are 246 days between March 22 and Nov. 23. If the horses on the National Steeplechase Association circuit were counting all this time, they haven’t let on but they’ll be happy to learn that the season ends in South Carolina this weekend with Aiken Saturday and Colonial Cup Sunday. Somebody tell them this is … Read more
No more Snap Decision days for racing fans. No pursuit of a fifth Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase win in April. No more trips to Nashville to run in the Iroquois in May. No more chasing the NSA career earnings record. Snap Decision, who carried excellence through seven seasons on the National Steeplechase Association circuit, is retired. … Read more
Can you say homestretch? The National Steeplechase Association season turns to its final two weekends with a stop at Callaway Gardens in Georgia Saturday. The southernmost stop on the circuit shifted two weeks later in the calendar and offers a runway into next weekend’s South Carolina finale at Aiken (Saturday) and Camden (Sunday). Callaway’s five-race … Read more
Leaves . . . wind . . . early sunsets . . . frost on the pumpkins . . . Thanksgiving plans . . . the end of the steeplechase season . . . Things you think about in November. And you’re on to the next round of the $20,000 Pyramid or whatever the dollar … Read more
Racing fans will be looking toward the West Coast as the Breeders’ Cup showcases the world’s best at Del Mar Saturday. A few thousand miles to the east (and a little north), the steeplechase schedule rolls on with the Montpelier Hunt Races just outside Orange, Va. Sunday, the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup completes a jump double. … Read more
