Features

“Phillip wants me to come ride him.”  Anita Motion seemed somewhat taken aback by the invitation.  Icabad Crane’s owner is most certainly a very accomplished horsewoman, but having handed the gelding over to Phillip Dutton – one of Three Day Eventing’s superstars – the thought of hopping on board the horse herself isn’t one that crosses her mind.

The 2014 Triple Crown came to an end Saturday as California Chrome failed in his bid to sweep the series in the Belmont Stakes. The popular Cal-bred colt came up 1 3/4 lengths short, finishing in a dead-heat for fourth with Wicked Strong behind Tonalist, Commissioner and Medal Count.

The 2014 Triple Crown is about to reach a dramatic conclusion and the biggest question of the year is about to be answered.

It’s Belmont Stakes week and it’s all California Chrome all the time.

The annual Memorial Day stop at Fair Hill Steeplechase marked the end of spring. The end of spring? Really? Saratoga looms. Here is your Here & There from Fair Hill, Saratoga and a little from Belmont Park and beyond. Enjoy.

The Preakness is in the books and history awaits in – holy cow, is it that soon? – 18 days as California Chrome attempts to sweep the Triple Crown in the June 7 Belmont Stakes.

Splish, splash. Splish, splash. Splish, splash. That’s basically how it went Friday morning out at Pimlico Race Course, a little more than 24 hours before the 139th Preakness Stakes card gets rolling.

We feel a little like Garrison Keillor around here – “It’s been a quiet week in Lake…” It’s been a hectic week in Thoroughbred racing… There is nothing like spring in the world of Thoroughbred racing as Joe, Tom and Sean have been crisscrossing the country from Churchill Downs for the Derby to Percy Warner Park for the Iroquois. 

“I know I sound like a broken record, but this horse is a bloody saint.”