Saturday Special: May 31
Wild cards all over the world. We’ll take you to Greyville, Newmarket, Belmont, Arapahoe…everywhere. Enjoy a world-wide tour of Thoroughbred racing.
Sean Clancy
High Hopes for High Hope
We used to write editorials about the issues/problems/snafus of steeplechasing. Every two weeks, spring and fall, in Steeplechase Times. Some were easy, some were difficult, some incited riots, some cost us advertising, some cost us jobs. Wow, I miss those editorials. For old time’s sake… The High Hope Steeplechase returned to the NSA schedule this … Read more
Here & There: May 27
The annual Memorial Day stop at Fair Hill Steeplechase marked the end of spring. The end of spring? Really? Saratoga looms. Here is your Here & There from Fair Hill, Saratoga and a little from Belmont Park and beyond. Enjoy.
Saturday Special: May 24
A respite from the Triple Crown but a wild day of racing around the world. We’ll take you to South Africa to Britain to Minnesota.
Writing from home today…
Writing from home today… Made Miles breakfast. Writing from home today… Made Miles lunch. Writing from home today… Checked the Doncaster sales results. Writing from home today… Checked the Fasig-Tipton’s sales results. Writing from home today… Planted sunflowers in the side garden. Writing from home today… Took Miles to school. Writing from home today… Went … Read more
Steeplechase Picks: Radnor & High Hope
While the Preakness attracts the attention – and presence – of the ST Handicappers, Radnor and High Hope offer decent purses and open opportunities for horses and horsemen looking for another spring paycheck and/or a ticket to Saratoga. Heavy rain will certainly turn Radnor’s six-race card into a game of stamina while High Hope should play fair and square.
Maryland, My Maryland
Off to Pimlico. Finally. Later than I wanted, but that’s life with a child. I’ve spent the week cutting off the crust on strawberry jam-lathered toast, drying pickles on paper towels so they don’t make the lunch bread soggy and picking out shirts and shorts that match – OK, that didn’t clash. Fun week with … Read more
Here & There: May 14
We feel a little like Garrison Keillor around here – “It’s been a quiet week in Lake…” It’s been a hectic week in Thoroughbred racing… There is nothing like spring in the world of Thoroughbred racing as Joe, Tom and Sean have been crisscrossing the country from Churchill Downs for the Derby to Percy Warner Park for the Iroquois.
The Virginia Gold Cup: Cold Winter, Hot Rize
Long hours. Steep hills. Cold days.
Like all Mid-Atlantic based horse trainers this winter, Russell Haynes endured. Temperatures dropped. Snow fell. Ground froze. Then it warmed up. And rained. Ground sunk. At every sign of reprieve, oppression would come again. It was an arduous winter. Especially when you’re 26, training the first horse under your name, when you’re missing your dad who’s been gone six years, when you’ve talked your mother and friends into believing, when the Virginia Gold Cup is miles and months away and you’re 100-1 to make it, 10-1 even if you do.
Saturday Special: May 10
Another Saturday. Another Special. Not quite Derby Saturday, but good racing around the country. Here’s your cheat sheet for the day.
