by Steve Byk
first published on July 17, 2007
The retirement of equine heroes always marks a milestone of some kind for horseplayers and horse lovers alike. Whether the runner in question grabbed the admirer with flashy good looks or with pleasurable recall of mutuel window euphoria, the end of a career invariably produces a flood of memories or mental snapshots of particular moments.
by Steve Byk
first published on June 9, 2007
BELMONT, NY — A week before the 2007 Belmont Stakes, fans and pundits decried a potential edition of the standard devoid of intrigue, competitiveness or appeal. When Rags to Riches crossed the wire first after an epic duel with the ever-game Curlin, providing trainer Todd Pletcher with his initial Triple Crown event victory, those same critics roared their approval for a race that far exceeded expectation and left the 50,000 in attendence delighted.
by Steve Byk
first published on May 9, 2007
Leaving Louisville Monday, with all the Derby hoopla having subsided and the Churchill backstretch returned to normal, one couldn’t help feel the overwhelming satisfaction delivered by the 133rd Run for the Roses. After a Derby Trail season that prompted endless debate fueled by a glut of unconventional prep approaches, it was the horse that was the first and most obvious candidate that wore the rose blanket in a performance that instantly becomes part of Kentucky Derby lore.
by Steve Byk
first published on January 9, 2007
The Breeders’ Cup announcement January 8 of an expanded program featuring three new events in a second day of racing has generated an initial burst of excitement from fans. The organization’s rationale for the move seems to be that if the eight races that serve as the ersatz championships for the major divisions in the game are so fabulous, more of that good thing must be a positive. But given that the current BC program is designed to unquestionably draw the best thoroughbreds in the world for one spectacular day of quality racing, the execution as announced seems hastily conceived and flawed.
