Features

Phil Bauer volunteered Fireball Shot, a maiden with more than $100,000 in earnings at the time, as his horse way back in 2018. Joining perennial little guys Robbie Davis, Kerry Metivier and Eddie Barker in the Little Guys’ Stable Tour, the Kentucky-based trainer had just wrapped up a 0-for-12 record at Saratoga. Fireball Shot had … Read more

“Anytime.” That’s how Cherie DeVaux answered when asked about hosting the Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour. It helps when you’re walking out of the winner’s circle after your second win, just three days into the meet. DeVaux added another win Sunday to make it three.  With a gaudy 50 percent strike rate, DeVaux stood even with Chad … Read more

We’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times here at The Special.  We like tradition. From Jimmy Toner’s pillows, figure eights under the Clare Court trees, the bell ringer doing their job with 17 minutes to post and bleary eyed tourists coming out for morning works with coffee and bagels or making a … Read more

The success of Todd Pletcher’s stable this season at Saratoga Race Course figures to enviably hinge on two fairly typical factors for the 14-time Spa training champion. “We have a lot of 2-year-olds and we’re fortunate to have a fair number of stakes horses,” Pletcher said Monday afternoon. “I don’t feel like we have a … Read more

Editors Note: We’re wrapping up the 23rd year of The Special with some moments from the meet. You can find the complete editions from 2023 here. Arc of a Winner: Belmont victor flies to 2nd Grade 1 score. By Sean Clancy. August 30 edition. Jena Antonucci threw her hands in the air, jumped, spun and … Read more

Editors Note: We’re wrapping up the 23rd year of The Special with some moments from the meet. You can find the complete editions from 2023 here. A Win?: One In Vermillion, connections at a loss after tragic Grade 1 score. By Joe Clancy. August 30 edition. From a spot in front on the clubhouse porch … Read more

Editors Note: We’re wrapping up the 23rd year of The Special with some moments from the meet. You can find the complete editions from 2023 here. The Worst Test: Pretty Mischievous wins tragic renewal of Grade 1 Test. By Sean Clancy. August 6 edition. It made you turn away. Strides before the wire in the … Read more

Editors Note: We’re wrapping up the 23rd year of The Special with some moments from the meet. You can find the complete editions from 2023 here. Story Time: Vallelujah earns stakes start for Davis, owners. By Tom Law. August 9 edition. Anyone need a pick-me-up? It’s been a long meet in a lot of ways, … Read more

Editors Note: We’re wrapping up the 23rd year of The Special with some moments from the meet. You can find the complete editions from 2023 here. Fill it Up. The Outside Rail, By Sean Clancy. August 7 edition. D. Wayne Lukas guffawed after telling a story Thursday morning. Behind an immaculate desk inside his paneled … Read more

Editors Note: We’re wrapping up the 23rd year of The Special with some moments from the meet. You can find the complete editions from 2023 here. Full Circle: Wet Paint lands Grade 1 for Godolphin, Cox. By Joe Clancy. July 26 edition.Overton Square. Trainer Brad Cox didn’t hesitate when asked about his first winner at … Read more