HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Secret Circle

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. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Secret Circle

"The heat was blistering, but the air conditioning and shelter of the house offered relief from the scorching July sun. I focused my eyes on the television screen, which displayed TVG’s coverage of the third race at Del Mar on Saturday, July 23, 2011 – a maiden special weight for two-year-olds going five and one-half furlongs. As soon as the juveniles broke from the gate, my eyes focused on an eye-catching bay colt carrying the famous red and yellow silks of Mike Pegram and partners. As soon as Trevor Denman called out the colt’s name – Secret Circle – I knew I would not soon forget it. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Outstrip

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. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Outstrip

"Please enjoy the fourth installment of my “2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights” series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Four: The Juvenile Turf

The second race of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup, the Juvenile Turf proved itself as one of the most exciting races for me personally. The first three finishers were my top three selections, crossing the wire in the same order in which I had predicted. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Beholder's Distaff

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. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Beholder's Distaff

"Please enjoy the third installment of my “2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights” series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Three: Distaff

The Monday before the thirtieth Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I), I spoke to Fred Mitchell, whose family’s Clarkland Farm bred, raised, and sold Beholder – one of the contenders in the star-studded Distaff. As I listened to him speak proudly of the three-year-old filly, telling stories about the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) champion, I could not think of a more deserving Distaff victress. . ."

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HRN: Gary Stevens Donates $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue

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. . .

Gary Stevens Donates $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue

"To the delight of racing enthusiasts, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens announced his comeback in January of 2013. One of the most-well known jockeys in the sport of horse racing, the Idaho native had not competed in a race since 2005 and although he was now nearly 50 years old, he would return to the saddle. It did not take long for him to prove that he had made a brilliant decision, as Stevens has won some of the nation’s most important races – including the Preakness Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and Breeders’ Cup Classic – during his first year back in the saddle.

Stevens’ comeback has been dubbed one of the greatest in the history of sports. But Stevens’ greatness extends beyond his talent and success on the back of racehorses. Stevens is a kind-hearted man whose generosity is as remarkable as his skill.

This kindness has been reflected in Stevens’ breathtaking donation of $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue, a Texas-based rescue and retraining center for off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Since being founded by Dallas and Donna Keen in 2008, the program has placed more than 350 retired racehorses in new homes. All along the way, Remember Me Rescue has been supported by Stevens. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Morning Works

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. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Morning Works

"Please enjoy the second installment of my “2013 Breeders’ Cup Highlights” series, which features the greatest personal moments of my Breeders’ Cup experience.

Highlight Two: Morning Works

My teeth chattering as I walked toward the grandstand in the dark, I immediately grabbed a delicious hot chocolate at Clocker’s Corner before heading to my favorite spot along the rail – near the gap and right by the far turn. I desperately clung to the cup holding my hot chocolate, relishing the warmth it brought to my hands as I gazed across the dimly lit track as Thoroughbreds stood in the chute, jogged by along the outside rail, galloped down the center of the track, or breezed down the inside fence. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Wise Dan

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. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup Highlights: Wise Dan

"I can close my eyes and see the San Gabriel Mountains. With them as a backdrop, I can place several memories from my time spent at the Breeders’ Cup in front of them: Wise Dan grazing, the sky lightening as horses exercised on the track in the morning, horses racing down the backstretch, and winners and losers galloping past the stands as they receive applause from the crowd no matter where they finished.

The 2013 Breeders’ Cup was one of the greatest experiences of my life – perhaps even the most amazing to date. I have now been to four Breeders’ Cups and the moments from this year’s championships that are now fond memories place this Breeders’ Cup as the most wondrous experience I have ever had at the racetrack. I have since returned home and must focus my attention on homework rather than a track program and top-class Thoroughbreds, but my mind tends to wander to the many great personal moments that occurred at the Breeders’ Cup.

There are too many amazing moments from my 2013 Breeders’ Cup experience to describe in one post, so please enjoy my series highlighting these moments, one by one, over the next several days. . ."

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HRN: 2013 Breeders' Cup: Possible Friday Long Shots

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. . .

2013 Breeders' Cup: Possible Friday Long Shots

"The Breeders’ Cup is notorious for producing numerous upset winners. Each year, racing fans and handicaps must “expect the unexpected.” From the 53-1 Lashkari in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Turf to the 17-1 upsets by Calidoscopio and Little Mike at last year’s Breeders’ Cup, longshot winners are all but guaranteed at the two-day championships.

Are you searching for some possible longshot plays for today’s Breeders’ Cup Friday races? I chose at least one horse from each race worth a look that was given morning line odds of at least 8-1, giving you plenty of options to choose from. . ."

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