Opinion

Writing from home today… Made Miles breakfast. Writing from home today… Made Miles lunch. Writing from home today… Checked the Doncaster sales results.  Writing from home today… Checked the Fasig-Tipton’s sales results. Writing from home today… Planted sunflowers in the side garden. Writing from home today… Took Miles to school. Writing from home today… Went … Read more

Off to Pimlico. Finally. Later than I wanted, but that’s life with a child. I’ve spent the week cutting off the crust on strawberry jam-lathered toast, drying pickles on paper towels so they don’t make the lunch bread soggy and picking out shirts and shorts that match – OK, that didn’t clash. Fun week with … Read more

All racehorses get beat. Ok, so maybe that’s not entirely true. I’ve got a semi-dusty Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac circa 2009 that contains a list of “Leading Unbeaten Racehorses” to prove the above statement incorrect. So perhaps it’s more accurate to say nearly all racehorses get beat.

Former co-worker and current Team Valor International PR man Jeff Lowe used to ask if I did some undisclosed promotional work on behalf of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Home. Derby in the rearview mirror, Preakness ahead, the Belmont in four weeks, Saratoga looming (time to book your ads!). Wow, life goes fast. Fascinating Derby. We interviewed trainer Art Sherman immediately after winning the Derby. The newest oldest trainer to win the Derby stood on the track, staring straight ahead, answering all the questions, … Read more

What’s it like to go to the Kentucky Derby for the first time?

Derby time. We’ve analyzed the form, deciphered the breezes, studied the form. We know who is going to win. Here are nine winners who would offer the best stories. California Chrome. His trainer galloped Swaps. His owners have kept their money on the table. Need anything else? Samraat. Love him or hate him, trainer Rick … Read more

Derby Time. Twenty runners. So many choices. So many angles. So many opinions. Sean. Sean. Sean. Repeat after me… I won’t listen to professional handicappers. I won’t follow the Beyers. I won’t listen to Mike Penna, Kurt Becker or Chad Summers. I will consider what Jude Feld says, if I can find him. I will … Read more

Five nights down, five nights to go.

“Well, Ryan this could be a long road trip or a short road trip. All depends on how things go over the next two days.” That’s basically what I said to my soon-to-be 21-year-old nephew as we pulled out of the farm in Middleburg, Va. Friday morning. Keeneland as the destination Friday, the Maryland Hunt … Read more