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Steeplechase Picks: Iroquois and Willowdale

The Iroquois Steeplechase continues to shine as the spring’s premier meet, hosting a stellar seven-race card, highlighted by a tantalizing renewal of the Iroquois on Saturday. The Willowdale Steeplechase, with its collection of timber, hurdle and flat races, offers opportunity for the next tier of horses on Sunday.

Home, briefly

Home. Derby in the rearview mirror, Preakness ahead, the Belmont in four weeks, Saratoga looming (time to book your ads!). Wow, life goes fast. Fascinating Derby. We interviewed trainer Art Sherman immediately after winning the Derby. The newest oldest trainer to win the Derby stood on the track, staring straight ahead, answering all the questions, … Read more

For the story

Derby time. We’ve analyzed the form, deciphered the breezes, studied the form. We know who is going to win. Here are nine winners who would offer the best stories. California Chrome. His trainer galloped Swaps. His owners have kept their money on the table. Need anything else? Samraat. Love him or hate him, trainer Rick … Read more

Saturday Special: May 3

Yes, there is life – at least, racing – outside Churchill Downs Saturday. Here’s a quick tour around the world, from the Two Thousand Guineas in England to allowance races at Penn National.

Sean. Sean. Sean. Repeat after me…

Derby Time. Twenty runners. So many choices. So many angles. So many opinions. Sean. Sean. Sean. Repeat after me… I won’t listen to professional handicappers. I won’t follow the Beyers. I won’t listen to Mike Penna, Kurt Becker or Chad Summers. I will consider what Jude Feld says, if I can find him. I will … Read more

“It’s going to be a pain in the ass.”

Quotes and quips from the trainer’s dinner, hosted by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Association. All trainers, except for Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen, showed up and took the stage. Art Sherman and Jimmy Jerkens stole the show.

Road Trip Complete

“Well, Ryan this could be a long road trip or a short road trip. All depends on how things go over the next two days.” That’s basically what I said to my soon-to-be 21-year-old nephew as we pulled out of the farm in Middleburg, Va. Friday morning. Keeneland as the destination Friday, the Maryland Hunt … Read more

Here & There: April 29

A lot of miles and a lot of quotes. Keeneland to the Maryland Hunt Cup. Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point to Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. 

Guts For Garters wins Maryland Hunt Cup

“Were there any anxious moments?” It was a ridiculous question.

Jody Petty, standing at the finish line of the Maryland Hunt Cup while stewards tried to decipher the race from the stewards’ stand, repeated one word from the question.

“Anxious?”

Record Ride: Meister relishes 22nd Hunt Cup try

Billy Meister says this is it. His last Hunt Cup. He’s 50, will ride in his 22nd Maryland Hunt Cup (surpassing Paddy Neilson’s record of 21 rides), and says he has a chance to win it again – something he’s done three times as a jockey and twice as a trainer.