by Steve Byk
first published on March 16, 2008

This game moves fast, and racing does a poor job of utilizing Stakes renewals to advertise the history of the game and its’ immortal runners, trainers and owners. If it wasn’t for Jay Hovdey’s regular historical perspective pieces in the Racing Form, there would hardly be any mention of the landmarks, milestones and principals that give the game its’ wonderful lineage. Sunday’s running of the Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream is one of those opportunities though, as had Scott Schulhofer’s first great horse as a thoroughbred trainer not turned up, we likely wouldn’t have had a chance to know the man so many came to love.

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by Steve Byk
first published on March 14, 2008

Derby Trail specialties kicking off Saturday at Oldsmar (Tampa Bay Derby, 5:50pm) as highlight of the Stakes schedule there, before moving on to Hot Springs (Rebel, 6:45pm) and Arcadia (San Felipe, 7:38) for the final preps towards the Arky and Santa Anita Derbies.

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by Steve Byk
first published on March 8, 2008

One of American racing’s best regional days is on tap this aft at NoLa, with perhaps the best card assembled anywhere yet this year. The Louisiana Derby has a wonderful heritage, dating back to 1920 when it was run at old Jefferson Park, and has produced a number of local legends including Black Gold (1924), Taylor’s Special (1984), Risen Star (1988) and Petionville (1995). Funny Cide forced himself into serious Rose Run consideration with a strong showing in the LA Derby in 2003, and Grindstone won this race on his road to Louisville in 1996. 

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