October opens with a Classic trifecta

  The entire calendar features great things in the Thoroughbred racing game, but this time of year can be especially exciting as folks try and find their way to the Breeders’ Cup. Staged in early November, these year-end world championships are the greatest two days...

Baffert has Belief in his Spirit

  Most people have a reason to believe in something. Normally there will be evidence to support this backing. One Thoroughbred trainer has every reason to have one of his runners entered in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on August 29. Medina Spirit is one athlete...

Preakness 146 Picks and Pans

PREAKNESS 146 PICKS AND PANS   After the shakeout of another historic Kentucky Derby there is perhaps a little head scratching going on. Regardless of what happened May 1, we are now off to the Preakness. Of course, the folks in Maryland say the reason they run the...

Baffert’s Spirit rewards faith in Kentucky Derby

BAFFERT’S SPIRIT REWARDS FAITH IN KENTUCKY DERBY   One of the great things about Thoroughbred horse racing is it allows a hillbilly turf writer the opportunity to get philosophical. Do the words “hillbilly” and “philosophical” belong in the same sentence?… Just...

Medina Spirit joins the Baffert Derby Dance

MEDINA SPIRIT JOINS THE BAFFERT DERBY DANCE So here’s a question for you…does Bob Baffert know how to dance?…I think that is open for debate depending on your perspective. If you are talking about the disco lights and techno funk the jury is still out. If you...