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Joe Clancy 
Got a hangover? Too much Guinness? Don’t tell us you went for the Jameson or the Tullamore D.E.W. Last weekend’s Irish tour de force at Far Hills sent the American-based steeplechase horses home without a win on the year’s biggest day. But that’s how it goes sometimes. Irish-based horses got blanked in 2024, and they … Read more
Far Hills? Already. The American steeplechase calendar turns to its richest stop on the circuit with Saturday’s 104th edition of the Far Hills Races in New Jersey. Worth in excess of $795,000, the six-race card includes hurdle stakes for 4-year-olds, fillies/mares, novices, open horses, maidens and even a 2-miler on the flat. Post time for … Read more
Zero. That’s how many of American steeplechase champion Snap Decision’s seven rivals in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Grand National were alive when he made his racing debut at Belmont Park in October 2016. Nevertheless, he’s the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the $250,000 hurdle stakes which headlines a six-race card at the Far Hills Races in … Read more
Middleburg, Virginia. Say the name to anyone in American jump racing and you’ll get a memory – of Glenwood Park, the Red Fox Inn, the Coach Stop, the elbow in the stretch and the various greats to grace the place over the decades. The Virginia Fall Races take over Glenwood Saturday. Remember when it was two … Read more
The steeplechasers come in from a long summer on the road – in Virginia for Colonial Downs and in New York for action at Saratoga and Aqueduct – as the autumn season jumps to life at Shawan Downs in suburban Baltimore, Md., Saturday. The six-race card showcases four hurdle races and two timber tests to … Read more
The training championship went down to the final race. The Jockey Club Gold Cup turned into demolition derby. A horse with a flip-flopped name won the Hopeful and might be the best 2-year-old in the country. And The Saratoga Special’s Tom Law won the 2025 Saratoga Race Course handicapping challenge. Law, The Special’s managing editor … Read more
The races are back. If you’re in or near Cecil County, Maryland, this weekend, Thoroughbreds race at Fair Hill once again Saturday with The Races at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, a six-race card of races on the rebuilt turf course. Post time is 1 p.m. If you’ve been before – the event hasn’t happened … Read more
Three, four, five deep they stood around the paddock fence. It was much the same on both sides of the backyard path leading there. The people came to see their horse. Dual classic winner Sovereignty? Not yet, hold on. Saratoga Race Course belonged to a different star – first – Saturday as 2024 Horse of … Read more
It’s Our Time reaches the finish all alone in his debut at Saratoga Aug. 16. Hannah Bonczkowski Photo. By Joe Clancy A racing fan, Elza Mitchum watches the America’s Day at the Races show on Fox Sports and appreciates the insights offered by trainer Tom Amoss when he’s part of the show. Which is how … Read more
As Sovereignty stormed down the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby, Brooks Adams took a phone call. “Hey, wasn’t that one of yours?” a friend asked. Adams had to look, but yes indeed Sovereignty was one of his. “Wow, yes,” he replied, “I foaled that horse’s mother.” Retired from a 32-year job at Betty Moran’s … Read more
