For Howard Nolan Jr., Thoroughbred racing has been a nearly 70-year love affair, one that began in Saratoga in 1946 and was a case of love at first sight.

“I was a fan from day one,” he said in June, not long after a horse that he bred, Readtheprospectus, had won his first stakes race, the Commentator for New York-breds at Belmont Park.

Nolan had sold the colt as a two-year-old in the 2011 OBS April sale; he was purchased by Patrice Miller for Bill Lawrence and Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables for $30,000, and his six wins in nine starts have netted more than $300,000. Nolan may be his biggest fan.

“He’s been in more winner’s circle photos than I have,” said Lawrence with a laugh after the Commentator win.  “He gets as excited as we do when the horse wins.”

Continue reading at New York Breeder (p. 24)