Tom Law

Who could use a little distraction this week? Don’t be shy in the slightest if you raised your hand, it’s been quite a year this week. Yes, you read that right.

Turning the page on 2020, heading into 2021 and some might already be dreaming of the Kentucky Derby.

Sackatoga Stable’s Tiz the Law, New York-bred Horse of the Year and champion 2-year-old in 2019 who continued his ascent in 2020 with three Grade 1 wins highlighted by the Belmont Stakes, has been retired to stand at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., for 2021.

Finally, something to cheer for in 2020. Not much has worked out this year but we can’t complain – and we’ll even raise a glass – to the day after Christmas (aka Boxing Day) falling on a Saturday.

How many shopping days now until Christmas? We lost track some this week – delving into a few late-minute projects – but now see it’s less than a week until the big day.

Ellen Bongard, a pioneer in the New York Thoroughbred industry whose family owned one of the oldest active breeding farms in the state, passed away suddenly Monday at the age of 77.

The weekly primer returns for a loaded day of action here on the first Saturday of December, and with a new sponsor.