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Saratoga is looming. Large. Sure beats last year when it was limping. At best. Six days away. I’m still trying to figure out how to be in Lexington Monday and Tuesday for Fasig Tipton July Sale and Saratoga by Wednesday for the first deadline Wednesday night. As an owner once said to me, “I have … Read more
This is ultimately what has been missing for the last year. Urgency. The sense of urgency when deadlines loom. Travel stress. The sense of pressure right before a trip. I feel both. Working the sales at Arqana, Tattersalls and Fasig Tipton, juggling walking videos, race replays, clients’ wants and needs. Beyond that, the daily rituatls … Read more
Ragged Old Flag I walked through a county courthouse squareOn a park bench an old man was sitting thereI said, your old courthouse is kinda run downHe said, naw, it’ll do for our little townI said, your old flagpole has leaned a little bitAnd that’s a ragged old flag you got hanging on it He … Read more
I’m back after taking a few days off from the tumult of the Iroquois. As Todd Wyatt said early Sunday morning when I was catching a Southwest flight and he was clmbing into his truck for a long, lonely trek home, “That was fun. Kind of.” Racing road trips hinge on winning. As for Footpad, … Read more
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
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
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
