Paul Halloran 
Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttleman, dressed in his race-day uniform – red jacket, white pants, shiny black boots – stood on the grass at Haven Hill cemetery in Columbia, Ky., Friday, a crisp, fall day on which morning rain had given way to afternoon sunshine and blue skies. Buttleman raised the bugle to his mouth … Read more
The Delta Airlines plane had just pushed away from the gate at LAX Sunday, when the phone buzzed with an incoming call from Kelly Dorman. I figured he and his family had made it to Atlanta, where they would catch a connecting flight back to Lexington, and maybe he was calling to continue to revel … Read more
Cody Dorman woke up at 2:32 a.m. Saturday and asked for the tablet he uses to communicate. He had something to say to his parents, Kelly and Leslie. “He said ‘Thank you for taking me out here,’ ” Kelly Dorman said, standing outside the paddock at Santa Anita Park about an hour before the horse … Read more
To everyone at Saratoga on Whitney weekend: We would like to name each individual we met, but it would be an impossible task. And we apologize for that because all of you mean the world to us. We couldn’t put Saratoga behind us without thanking you all. This place made such an impression on us … Read more
After a tumultuous week that was all about Air Quality Index, Saturday at Belmont Park was a day to celebrate the GOAT. Throw in history being made, another chapter in racing’s best story being written and idyllic weather, and it was a virtually perfect day on Hempstead Turnpike. The main event was the 155th running … Read more
The multitude of interviews were over, and Kelly Dorman was still soaking it all in standing in the Belmont Park winner’s circle. Junior Alvarado had just delivered another masterful ride aboard Cody’s Wish, arguably the best horse in training, in winning the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, more commonly known as the Met Mile and an … Read more
The skies were clear at Belmont Park Friday, a day after racing was cancelled due to poor air quality and 48 hours after it looked as if the apocalypse had arrived in New York City. The surroundings, however, don’t seem to matter to Pretty Mischievous, who shows up anywhere, anytime in any conditions, at any … Read more
After all the pre-race hoopla, the national TV interviews, another scintillating performance by a horse who is tough to beat under any circumstances and thus far impossible when his namesake is on track, and a champagne toast in the Director’s Room, Kelly Dorman pushed his son, Cody, back to their table in the First Turn … Read more
The meal may not have tasted that good for Team Godolphin in New Orleans after Pretty Mischievous was caught in the stretch of the Fair Grounds Oaks, but the conversation resulted in a Michelin-caliber decision that paid big dividends at Churchill Downs Friday. Trainer Brendan Walsh left that dinner table “75 percent” sure he would … Read more
The email came in from Tom Law at 9:34 a.m. on Travers Day with the day’s writing assignments. I drew the Forego and, for the second year in a row, the Sword Dancer. It seemed simple enough. Jackie’s Warrior was a heavy favorite and very likely winner in the Forego and I had plenty of … Read more
