Shakespeare, Keats, and Wordsworth are turning in their graves… October brings the autumn cold and drear;The Spa, bereft, begins its winter nap,Awaits July and the return of cheer,Of those who come to wager, watch, and ‘cap. And Belmont, home of champs, its storied groundThe host of Grade I winners, bids farewellWith state-bred runners; others, sunshine-bound,For…
After thirty-eight racing days, twenty-three stakes races, ten Grade I’s, and a repeat winner in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, on Sunday Belmont closed its doors, as New York racing shifts to Aqueduct for six months. I’m looking forward to the opening of the Big A—no more LIE for me, back to the A train—but…
I’m not sure what it would have taken over this past weekend to change my opinion of this year’s Breeders’ Cup, not sure what would have made me think that having all of the distaff races on Friday was a good idea, not sure what would have made me support the decision to hold these…
Tomorrow will be too late to enjoy what you can today.At the Belmont Breeders’ Cup party yesterday, I was given a fortune cookie, assured that it was meant just for me, and this was my fortune. Though not much given to aphorisms or any sort of truth that can be summed up in one pithy…
I still haven’t watched yesterday’s races. And I can’t decide when I’m going to be able to. Years of Catholicism have taught me that whatever is the hardest, most sacrificial thing to do is the right thing to do, even when–especially when?–it defies sensibility. So even though I was in a bar on Friday afternoon…
(This post is also up at the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance page at The Blood-Horse.) What agony to be a fan of the distaff side in November of 1988. Root for the undefeated Personal Ensign, who had beaten colts in the Whitney two months earlier? Or root for the Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors? How to…
…to make known your feelings about the changes in the structure and nomenclature of this year’s Breeder’s Cup. If you think it’s ridiculous that none of the distaff races are being run on Saturday… If you find the concept of “Filly Friday” or “Ladies’ Day” abhorrent… If you believe that the words “distaff,” “filly,” and…
……if I’m not all that interested in this year’s Breeders’ Cup? I assumed that I’d be psyched as it got closer; plenty of the horses entered interest me, horses I’ve seen and admired: Music Note, Indian Blessing, Doremifasollatido, Ginger Punch, Wait A While, Dynaforce, Colonel John, Better Talk Now, Thorn Song, Shakis. I should be…
The, ahem, rigors of the last few weeks have finally caught up with me: having traveled to Lexington and Saratoga since the beginning of the month, and with the Rangers’ season and its attendant obligations having begun, I had no choice but to stay home today, firmly rooted to my couch, and attack the pile…
There were happy people all over Belmont on Saturday afternoon. The sun in the backyard was warm, the leaves were turning, and a crowd of nearly 7,000 turned out to celebrate New York racing and autumn. Picnics were set up, kids ran everywhere, and the folks who turned out accepted with alacrity the various promotions…
Brooklyn Backstretch 