Joe Clancy

Modern, sleek, straight-out-of-a-new-college-building plaques commemorating the true greats of Thoroughbred racing hang on either side of the interview room in the Belmont Park basement. Sir Barton, Gallant Fox, Omaha, War Admiral, Whirlaway and Count Fleet line up on the east wall. The west side completes the dozen with Assault, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and – near the door – American Pharoah.

Going to the Belmont Stakes Saturday? Watching from home? You’re going to want to see this.

Tom Law says he once asked Joe Hirsch for an autograph. The legendary racing writer obliged, of course, in his typical style.

To Tom Law: With every good wish. Joe Hirsch.

Two Pimlico punters cheered home their runners in Thursday’s second race, a $5,000 claimer, and raised enough of a ruckus to make several people flinch inside the track’s paddock. Alongside them, a bay colt some 30 hours from the biggest race of his life barely moved.

“Well, that’s a pretty good sign,” said the horse’s trainer with a scratch on the muzzle and a laugh.

Hey, rain happens. A little of this and that from a wet Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore Thursday and Friday as the Preakness approached.

Hello history, Ebanour is calling.

Saturday, the Irish-bred timber horse seeks to become just the third horse to win the Virginia Gold Cup three consecutive times. Owned by Irv Naylor and trained by Cyril Murphy, the 11-year-old is one of six in the $100,000 timber stakes and – if he runs to his best – he will be difficult to handle. The Gold Cup is the fifth of eight races at Great Meadow Saturday. First post is 12:30 p.m. and, as in past years, the card offers full pari-mutuel wagering (on site only).