Racing on my Mind
I have to admit, I don’t get a lot of work done on race days. Alcatraz runs this morning, well, he runs this afternoon in England, morning here. The Investec Mile. At Epsom. On Oaks Day. Big Day.
Sean Clancy
A Day at the Preakness
The rain came down. The screens went up.
Homeboykris lay behind the screens, the winner of the first, dead before the second.
The Rest of the Story from the Irish Brigade
As the spring steeplechase season fades and the summer season begins, we take a look back at the highlight of the spring. No doubt it was the Iroquois Steeplechase when Willie Mullins traveled the world with Nichols Canyon and Shaneshill May 14. With the $500,000 Brown Advisory Iroquois Cheltenham Challenge on the table, the top class hurdlers finished second and third behind Rawnaq in the race of the year.
Saturday Morning
Saturday morning column. Perfect. That’s what I’m meant to do when I flip open my laptop on this steamy Saturday morning. Fair Hill in seven hours, but I’ve got time to write an eloquent, thought-provoking expose on life.
Saturday Special – May 28
Racing around the world from Beverley in the morning to Charles Town at night. While you’re watching, think about the veterans who sacrificed for our freedom. There is nothing more free than watching horse race on Memorial Day Weekend. We are so lucky. Here’s your Saturday Special presented by Pin Oak Stud, home of Alternation, Broken Vow and Cowboy Cal, for the beginning of your Memorial Day Weekend.
Saturday Special – May 21
Yes, there is life beyond the Preakness today. Racing from the Curragh to York in Europe and Arlington Park to Miles Park in America. All eyes are on Nyquist and the rest of the Preakness card, but there’s plenty of strong racing around the world. Here’s your Saturday Special presented by Pin Oak Stud, home of Alternation, Broken Vow and Cowboy Cal, for May 21. Stay out of the rain and enjoy.
Preakness Morning
Preakness morning. Rainy morning.
Mullins (nearly) Conquers the World
Willie Mullins raised both hands.
Like a crossing guard in front of an inferno, Mullins stood as Rachel Robins slowed Nichols Canyon, the six-time Grade 1 winner, sides heaving, nostrils flaring like hazards on a flipped-over car, tossed his head in the air and searched for balance. David Porter halted Shaneshill. The Grade 2 winner stopped, sidestepped, blowing hard, but nothing like Nichols Canyon.
Waylon and Willie (Mullins) and the Boys
So, where were we?
A lot of water under the bridge (horses over fences) since we last spoke. For me, it was Aintree, Iroquois, Churchill Downs, Claiborne, Calumet, Mill Ridge and Riverdee – either in person or on my computer.
The Iroquois: Worlds Clash
Yes, Willie Mullins wins everything. Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown, Melbourne, Nakayama…and now the Iroquois?
The world’s greatest jump trainer has cast his net wider this weekend, unleashing Nichols Canyon and Shaneshill at Nashville, Tenn. for Saturday’s Grade 1 Iroquois Steeplechase.
