Saturday, October 31, 2015

HRN: Breeders' Cup Saturday Selections

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Breeders' Cup Saturday Selections

"All eyes will be on Keeneland as the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup features the world’s best racehorses. From the promising two-year-olds in the Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile to international star Golden Horn in the Turf and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the Classic, it is certain to be a day of racing that will find itself in the history books. . ."


Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Friday, October 30, 2015

HRN: Breeders' Cup Friday Selections

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Breeders' Cup Friday Selections

"Keeneland’s first Breeders’ Cup kicks off today with four championship races, highlighted by the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Listed below are my top five picks for all four of these races, including a featured longshot. It is sure to be an exciting day in the bluegrass!. . ."


Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

HRN: A Night of Quarter Horse Racing: A Photo Essay

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

A Night of Quarter Horse Racing: A Photo Essay

"Just one week after attending Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland, I made the much shorter journey to my home track, Lone Star Park. Although a smaller venue, Lone Star hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2004 – an event Keeneland will be hosting for the first time at the end of the month. However, on Saturday night, I was not attending any Thoroughbred races. Rather, I was there for a big night of Quarter Horse racing.

Thoroughbred racing has a much larger following, due to its long history and many traditions. But, like Thoroughbred racing, Quarter Horse racing features speedy equine athletes – the fastest in the world, in fact.  . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

HRN: Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland: A Photo Essay

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland: A Photo Essay

"I had left behind warm, sunny weather in Texas to arrive somewhere where it was chilly and rainy. Anyone other than a fellow racing enthusiast would have called me crazy. But I was Keeneland bound.

By the time my plane touched down at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., I could barely contain my excitement. I had visited Keeneland before, but only during its off-season. Nonetheless, its timeless beauty had captured my heart and stamped itself as my favorite racetrack. At last, I would be attending the races there.  . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

HRN: The End of an Era: Wise Dan and Charlie LoPresti

Note of thanks: Thank you, Mr. LoPresti for being so kind to me throughout Wise Dan's career. From the time I spent at the barn during the 2013 Breeders' Cup and standing in the winner's circle after Wise Dan's win to the time I spent around your barn at Keeneland both times I was there this year, I have memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

The End of an Era: Wise Dan and Charlie LoPresti

"A chestnut gelding hung his head over the stall door, his bright eyes enamored by the sight of another Thoroughbred. This other horse, with a rider aboard, made its way towards the training track for its morning exercise. The chestnut extended his neck, intently staring at the other horse as if he was jealous. And he probably was.

But this was by no means an ordinary gelding. He was the recipient of six Eclipse Awards, including two Horse of the Year titles, the earner of $7,552,920 million, the winner of two Breeders’ Cup Miles, and the heartthrob of American turf racing. His name: Wise Dan.

The nameplate of his halter read “LoPresti Stable.” Now eight years old, the Morton Fink homebred has spent his life under the care of trainer Charlie LoPresti, who has also conditioned a number of Wise Dan’s siblings – other offspring of his dam, Lisa Danielle.

Standing outside his stall on a chilly, rainy morning in early October, LoPresti gazed at the now-retired racehorse that has taken him on the journey of a lifetime. It was opening weekend at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky., LoPresti’s home base and the track at which Wise Dan captured seven of his lifetime wins – including four Grade 1s.  . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.