Belmont day takeouts for a hillbilly

BELMONT DAY TAKEOUTS FOR A HILLBILLY Give the New York Racing Association a lot of credit for hosting an outstanding day of racing on June 10. What a card! I think overall the magnificent day was a little like a visit to my Granny’s house for Sunday dinner. She always...

Songbird sweet music for Smith

As if things were not good enough already for hall of fame jockey Mike Smith, champion filly Songbird is slated to make her long awaited 2017 debut in the Ogden Phipps on Belmont Stakes day (June 10). Having been beaten only once by a flaring nostril in the 2016...

Kentucky Oaks another feather for Baffert and Smith

KENTUCKY OAKS ANOTHER FEATHER FOR BAFFERT AND SMITH When Abel Tasman circled the field and won the Kentucky Oaks, was anyone really surprised to see Bob Baffert and Mike Smith in the winner’s circle on the big stage again? Perhaps their philosophical approach and a...

How good is that filly Songbird?

HOW GOOD IS THAT FILLY SONGBIRD??? Most major sports are like the night sky. There are many stars. As your gazing toward the heavens, you will however notice, some stars are simply brighter than others. The ever so exciting world of Thoroughbred racing has been like...

Effinex and Smith hit grade 1 mark in Clark

EFFINEX AND SMITH HIT A GRADE 1 MARK IN THE CLARK The Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs is traditionally one of the top races in the late fall. Before the Breeders’ Cup came into play it was the target for many top horses. Over the past 30 years it comes just long...