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Sean Clancy It’s nearly here. The Breeders’ Cup. Less than a week until the biggest two days in Thoroughbred racing. For Mike Smith, the rides are secure, the search is over, now it’s the research, the preparation, the final breezes before the racing world converges on Smith’s home track, Santa Anita Park. With its downhill turf chute, Santa Anita provides a difference nuance than most American tracks.
For John Velazquez, the rides are booked, the details completed for the Breeders’ Cup. Less than a week until the biggest two days in Thoroughbred racing at Santa Anita Park. The Hall of Fame jockey will travel to California Wednesday, until then, he’ll think about the job at hand – riding races at Belmont, traveling to Woodbine for the Canadian International and handling the day-to-day duties of a jockey.
Hard to pack for this one. England for three days of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale and California for two days of the Breeders’ Cup. They say it’s raining in England. Shocker, I know. They say it’s sunny in California, yes, another shocker. I did this last year, too. Wish somebody would add another … Read more
Bluegrass Summer was always destined to win stakes. Bred by Mike Ryan, the 5-year-old half-brother to graded stakes winners Summer Front and Laragh began his career with gate issues, a chip and an attitude.
“When you’re riding, it takes four minutes. When you’re watching, it takes forever.” That’s how Cyril Murphy summed up the difference between being a jockey and a trainer.
The first came in the Colonial Cup, 2011. Well back, he rallied, chipping away at Tax Ruling but couldn’t run down him down. Good effort. No complaints.
Kisser N Run ranged into contention, ready to swoop down on The Grey Express and Opera Heroine as the leaders left the rail and angled out for the final hurdle in the Peapack. Roll the ball, pins fall, take the picture. Then Kisser N Run slipped, losing her hind end and sprawling like a dog on a wet floor.
Janet Elliot walked off the hill after the Harry E. Harris maiden hurdle at Far Hills Oct. 19 and smiled that perfect smile of trainer satisfaction.
“How was your weekend?” Simple question, a throwaway line from Tom at the Dodge dealership Monday morning. The farm truck needed its 30,000 mile service, I was just dropping it off, handing the keys over the counter and getting out of there. Did Tom really want to know about my weekend? Used to patrons coming … Read more
Trainer Jack Fisher had not given up. “I kept the old silks, don’t worry.”
