Here & There – Feb. 25
Big stakes weekend and lots of movement at the top of the game. Who’s your Derby horse? Who’s your Oaks horse? Who’s your pick in the Big Cap? More food for thought comes in the Here and There contributions for this week.
Joe Clancy
Top Billing aims for another step forward
This time last year, future Kentucky Derby winner Orb was showing speed and flash and liveliness in the mornings, rocketing from maiden winner in November to allowance winner in January to graded stakes winner and Derby favorite in February.
New Bolton ‘founder’ Raker dies at 93
Dr. Charles W. Raker, one of the founding fathers of Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center, died peacefully Feb. 16. Dr. Raker was a giant of equine veterinary medicine, renowned as a great surgeon, an adroit, gracious teacher, and a compassionate, caring clinician. His professional career spanned 43 years, and even in retirement he remained actively involved at Penn Vet, sharing with students and colleagues the benefit of his matchless wisdom, experience, and understanding for more than 20 years.
Rydilluc returns to action in strong Canadian
Away from the races since August, Rydilluc needed a strong final work if he was going to make the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park.
Back to school for Icabad Crane in Aiken
Describing Icabad Crane’s daily training regimen, Phillip Dutton put things in simple layman’s terms: “It’s a bit like yoga for the horse.”
Veterinarian Midge Leitch dies at 67
The veterinary profession lost one of its luminaries Feb. 15 when Dr. Midge Leitch lost her battle with cancer. The Cochranville, Pa. resident was 67.
Here and There February 18
Skiing, sledding, sliding, training, racing . . . horses and humans have been doing all those and more this winter and maybe – just maybe – there’s relief in sight as temperatures will get into the 40s and perhaps even the 50s by the end of the week.
Fair Hill learns, moves forward from EHV-1 case
Add disease control and media relations to the job description for Fair Hill Training Center board president Dr. Kathy Anderson, who helped the facility navigate an equine herpesvirus case last month.
Nancy Kelly and Lonnie
Although I did not know you, I heard Lonnie speak of your family.
I just wanted to thank you for sending Lonnie the Steeplechase Times, he did
enjoy reading it during his illness. I thought you would like a copy of his obituary.
God Bless,
Tina Fuller
Crowley jumps into new job at Northview
You used to watch Brian Crowley ride winners over jumps. Now, you can watch him lead the fathers of future winners around a barn.
