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After giving three jockeys three legs up (leg ups?) before the Grade I Iroquois, I switched to reporter and tracked Jack Fisher, trainer of the three horses. We walked up the stone steps at Percy Warner Park, the ones my father climbed to watch Owhata Chief win back-to-back runnings of the 3-mile classic, the ones traversed … Read more
The second Saturday in May. The last Saturday in June. Either way, it’s the Iroquois. I came here for the first time in 1984 or ‘85, for the large pony race. Red Raven scooted up the inside to beat a field full of Quarter Horses. I was the only one in race tack, well, actually … Read more
1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.
That’s eight firsts in a row for steeplechase horse Snap Decision. He goes for nine in Saturday’s Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois in Nashville. A ninth win would tie Thrice Worthy’s modern-day record for consecutive wins by an American steeplechase horse dating to 1981-82. Though it doesn’t quite measure up to Cigar’s 16 in a row, or the undefeated 13-start career of Snap Decision’s grandmother Personal Ensign, the feat matters given all the variables.
Reading A Life on Our Planet by Sir David Attenborough, the British naturalist and broadcaster. Miles gave the book to me for Fathers’ Day. I promised I would finish it by the time he got home. Tomorrow. I have a lot to do. Fascinating read so far, certainly not uplifting about our planet and what … Read more
What a week. Here are a few quotes from Royal Ascot. Jockey Oisin Murphy: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be top jockey at Royal Ascot. When I was a child, I watched this meeting with my parents and I never thought this armband belonged on me, but thankfully the last few … Read more
Sad news out of Central Kentucky this week with the passing of Denise Steffanus.
Iroquois entries are out. Trainers called, texted, emailed with 65 entries on the seven-race card, the finale to the spring season. Yes, a summer finale to a spring season. Snap Decision rides his win streak to his most arduous test, the 2 3/4 mile Iroquois against Semmes winner Galway Kid, Arkle winner Footpad, gallant veteran … Read more
Quiet around TIHR this week. Joe on an island somewhere. Tom hiking in the woods. I’m farmed out, or in, whichever way you want to look at it. The Saratoga lull, keeping our powder dry. Royal Ascot come and gone for another year. Firm ground at the beginning, heavy ground at the end. Brilliant moments … Read more
Following 26 millimetres of rain since racing yesterday, and with a few false patches of ground which means the ability to race may be marginal, an inspection has been called for 12.45pm. We are also looking at options to re-align the rail to avoid these areas. And so it goes. Firm Tuesday. … Read more
How about Love? Off a 10-month layoff, on the lead, swarmed by a Breeders’ Cup winner. Never in doubt. Owned by Coolmore, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aiden O’Brien, Love garnered the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes to highlight day two. Making her 4-year-old debut, the 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks winner … Read more
