Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward Stakes today in a smoking time of 1:48.1 holding off a hard charging Macho Again. She still has critics. She has won from coast to coast, at the top, against fillies, against 3 year olds, now against older horses. She has a perfect, unblemished season. She's been criticized she didn't "work for it" in some races - can't be said for the Woodward. There were several gunning for her waiting for a mistake from the three year old filly who dared tread outside her gender AND age! It's criticized she won't be at the Breeders Cup but it seems like unless something spectacular happens then she's done everything she needs to do for Horse of the Year, top 3 year old, top 3 year old filly and only Zenyatta arguably could stand between her and a clean sweep to best female running.

Continue reading "We're Seeing History"

The best sports movies can vary. What sport you like makes a difference too! There's classics like Chariots of Fire and underrated like Prefontaine and can't miss Friday Night Lights. For the horse racing fan there are special movies too. The five best in my opinion are not only for the horses they represent but the larger than life story around them. In no particular order, check these out!  ( MORE)

Continue reading "5 Top True Sports Movies"

I know he's 25. I know colic complications happen and even with surgery not all can be saved. But the loss of the big horses (be they famous or not) always tugs a nerve. Gone West has been euthanized following complications from colic surgery.

Gone West in his prime made a huge move and looked to be the winner of the 1987 Wood Memorial coming into the stretch. Gulch drove back with a big hearted gutsy move refusing to give up and the two hit the wire together with Capote and other big horses further back.

Gone West was pensioned earlier this year at Mill Ridge Farm. The son of Mr Prospector out of Secrettame by Secretariat, Gone West earned $682,251 on the track himself, winning 6 of 17 starts. His second dam was by Tim Tam. As a sire he's produced 98 stakes winners, 48 graded stakes winers and winners of nearly $77.7million in earnings. It included 1202 foals of racing age now, 19 crops. The list of offspring is huge. Champion sprinter Speightstown. European 2 year old champion Zafonic. G1 winners Johar, Grand Slam, Da Hoss, Comendable. G3 winners Mr. Greeley, and leading sire G3 winner Elusive Quality. Leading French sire Zamindar is another.

Continue reading "Top Sire Gone West Euthanized"

It's been a tough month for champions in the TB world. As mentioned in a previous post Gone West was lost. The others are also major horses that have left fans reeling.

 There's the loss, to a heart attack in his pasture, of popular sire El Prado of the 21st.

On the heels of hearing that was news of Summer Squall being euthanized due to age. Summer Squall chased Unbridled in one of the most memorable Derby races of all time. Summer Squall came back in the Preakness to the race that defined the gutsy race horse.

Sitting fourth down the backside Summer Squall put it in gear with Unbridled on the outside as they sat down for a drive and they collared the leader with Unbridled and Summer Squall head to head for several strides  then drawing off to an impressive win.

Continue reading "The Thoroughbred World Loses Legends"