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Winter Blues

Snowing at Laurel. Looming at Aqueduct. Threatening here. It’s gradually, resolutely becoming a long winter.  The first Play of the Day, Eilean Dubh, just missed by a nose in the sixth at Wolverhampton. A solid 3-1 choice, in front, collared late by the favorite. We’ll keep trying.  Miles just got home from school, ran up … Read more

The Friday Special – Jan. 28

For the second straight week, we give you bonus coverage. The Friday Special. And, like last week, don’t worry, we’re coming right back with a proper Saturday Special, complete with Pegasus Day handicapping from the featured five.

On the Run

Early morning running does free up the day, staves off that impending dread of an afternoon run, the foe that won’t let go.

A shred of Normalcy

Miles went back to school today. He desperately needed to go back to school, aiming/hoping for some normalcy in a time that is anything but normal. The Omicron variant seems to be waning, that’s the good news. It doesn’t seem to be as harsh as the Delta or the original, that’s good news. Will another … Read more

Work Space

Working from home. Again. Still.  Annie rests her coffee cup on top of my laptop which rests on the ottoman. Miles searches for the banana bread (long gone) from School House Garden. Jeff and his crew measure, saw, hammer, measure, saw, hammer. Classic rock ‘n’ roll in the background, or foreground, depending on if they’re … Read more

Monday Morning Quarantine

Another day. Another positive Covid test. Miles’ school, like all schools, has ducked and weaved, audibled and adlibbed through nearly two years of the pandemic. Zoom school. Parent Square forms. Pool noodles. Outdoor classrooms. Social distancing. Masks. Quarantines. Vaccines.  The protocols and rules seem to change daily. I don’t envy the administration. I have empathy … Read more

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Sunday Sermon

A red-streaked sky greets me on the short walk from the renovating house to the venerable barn. It’s the winter canvass, mountains in the distance, the full sky above. Quiet. Serene. Tranquil.  Sunday chores. The horses following routines, enjoying routines, that’s key. Brisk, but no wind, that’s key. Sun shining, another key. A needed respite … Read more

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Saturday Stars

Jonbon, head cocked, the first time he’s picked up his lunch pale, ticking the boxes on his way to stardom… Tommy’s Oscar for the sheep farmers, the Hamiltons, it’s everybody’s game… Kevin Brogan and Phoenix Way, timing like Timex, arriving strides to the line, ticks of the clock… Charlie Deutsch holding and cajoling, saving and … Read more

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The Archives: Bobs Worth

Brutal news on the loss of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth. The 17-year-old was living his best life. Gallant horse. Overachiever.  Delving into the archives, we found the recap of his 2013 Gold Cup win. I somehow had found a spot directly in front of trainer Nicky Henderson for that’s years’ Gold Cup, at … Read more

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Snow Fall, Foot Fall

Snow day. Another snow day. It’s raining, pelting, ricocheting off the new metal roof at this hour. Blue and Border stand under a storm-ravaged, skeleton tree in the front field, there’s a shed 50 yards away, a shelter, hay deep, it’s barely used. Early o’clock. Yesterday, I slept in until 7 and paid the price, … Read more