Brian’s Derby Preps: The Sam F. Davis

Tampa Bay Downs: The GIII, $250,000 Sam F. Davis at 1 1/16 miles #2 Silver Day: One-time winner spun his wheels in his seasonal debut in the local prep, the Pasco, behind several of these and will need a form reversal to threaten. If you’re a believer, you’re getting a price, but on paper he’s…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Withers

Aqueduct: The GIII $200,000 Withers at 1 1/16 miles #1 Long River: The first half of a sharp Darley entry adds blinkers off a relatively disappointing fourth in the local GII Jerome, when he basically ran around the track without making an impact after a solid MSW win over the track. The good news is…

Gyarmati Takes Academic Approach to Training

It’s been a long time since Leah Gyarmati gave up doctoral studies for a life at the racetrack, but she admits there are still some things she misses about academia. “I loved arguing,” she said this week from her home near Belmont Park. “I’m pretty opinionated.” Although she rarely engages in philosophical discussion these days,…

2013 Brings Tax Relief for Horse Owners

Not everyone was happy on January 2 when President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act, notably those whose first 2013 paychecks were smaller than the ones they’d received in 2012. But the law gave Thoroughbred horse owners a reason to raise a glass in a belated New Year’s toast, as it enacted…

A birthday party for Evening Attire

Given the love that Evening Attire received during his racing career, it seems fitting that his birthday is Valentine’s Day. And this year, the folks at his Akindale Farm retirement home are throwing him a birthday party to which the public is invited. With a name invoking Evening Attire’s sire, the “Black Tie Affair” will be…

Bullet Catcher: Guts & Glory?

On the morning of January 11, Gina Rosenthal was in Florida with her children, celebrating her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. She usually stays close to her Maryland home to monitor her horses, but on this morning, she was waiting for a call from her trainer, John Robb, for an update on a horse. Robb phoned…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Holy Bull

Gulfstream Park: The GIII, $400,000 Holy Bull at 1 1/16 miles #1 Shanghai Bobby: Undefeated juvenile makes his 3yo debut after going 5-for-5 last year, which culminated in a win in the BC Juvenile at Santa Anita to cement his championship. Sure, he was a drunken soldier in the lane over a paved highway at…