"A field of thirteen has assembled for the 140th edition of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Often referred to as the sister race to America's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), the Oaks attracts a field of the nation's finest three-year-old fillies year after year. This year is no different – with the likes of the superstars Untapable and My Miss Sophia, as well as several other talented fillies – in the field. . ."
Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.
"Anyone
living in the Lone Star State is familiar with the phrase “Everything is bigger
in Texas.” Head down to the United States’ second largest state and you will
realize that this statement is quite true. Time spent in Texas is exposure to
big trucks, big ranches, and big temperatures. But the Texas horse racing
industry does not quite fall into this category. Texas boasts the largest horse
population of any state in the nation and the northern part of the state,
particularly Denton County, is home to hundreds of the country’s top horse
ranches, many of which are home to world champion horses in various
disciplines. However, the Thoroughbred racing industry in Texas pales in
comparison to states like California, Florida, Kentucky, and New York.
Texas-breds receive little respect when they compete in such states and oftentimes,
this lack of respect is unfortunately justified by poor performances by said
Texas-breds. However, on one of racing’s biggest stages, the undercard of the
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs this Friday, Fiftyshadesofgold looks to make the Texas racing industry proud. . ."
Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.
Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blog. These notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .
2014 Kentucky Oaks Contender: Onlyforyou
For the first time, my Derby Hopefuls will be reaching the pages of Horse Racing Nation rather than the original Past the Grandstand. Oaks Contenders feature the fillies I view as the best contenders leading up to the Kentucky Oaks. Each horse spotlighted in an Oaks Contender will join the 2014 PTG Oaks Contender roster, found on the right side of the blog. Horses will be listed in an order that corresponds to how highly I think of them, with the horse I think most highly of ranking at the top. A horse featured in an Oaks Contender may be taken off the roster if its performances after its article are published are not up to par or if that horse is taken off the Oaks trail, though those articles will remain on my blog.
"When I was
fourteen, I discovered a love for Thoroughbred sales. The thrill of choosing a horse
from a sale and later watching as it finds success is extraordinary, leaving me
to become enthralled with the art of “discovering” a talented horse before its
career begins. This led me to make selections from various sales and follow
those picks as they blossomed into racehorses, whether they were withdrawn from
their respective auctions or not.
Putting pedigree and conformation, as well as movement and potential displayed
in breeze shows for juvenile sales, into consideration, I have assembled an
army of promising young horses. Among those horses is Onlyforyou, who caught my
attention with her athleticism while breezing prior to the 2013 Keeneland April
Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale. Since then, Onlyforyou has transformed into a
talented racehorse who has made a mark on the Kentucky Oaks trail. . ."
Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.
