THE SATURDAY POST

Recently, I read a book entitled, “Letters to Seabiscuit,” that published various letters written to the horse and his owner, C.S Howard, throughout the racing career of this legendary athlete. Howard’s wife, Marcella, had lovingly saved the collection in a treasure chest for several decades.

While reading the various letters, one thing became clear: The admiration that people expressed for this horse went well beyond his racing accomplishments. Among the collection, Seabiscuit received congratulations, birthday wishes, suggestions on the name for a foal, drawings, poems, pleas to retire him, requests to continue to race him, and even a valentine.

One writer, Mrs. Magie, sparked my curiosity about this phenomenon, by stating, “I am not a horsewoman or a racetrack follower. I do, however, love Seabiscuit.” I began to think about what peaked her interest in this horse.

Later in the book, a woman named Helen Thompson, added some clarity to Mrs. Magie’s sentiment. Thompson wrote to Howard, “You own the greatest racehorse in the world today – at least you think you own him – actually he is the property of all of us who love thoroughbreds – and recognize that a horse has something else besides the ability to earn a few dollars for the gaming public.”

Ms. Thompson’s statement hit upon something profound. Seabiscuit was a public horse. He was a living representation of American ideals, dreams, and principles. No single person could own these concepts.

After reading these letters, I started to wonder about the rare horses that have been able to stir public adoration outside of the winner’s circle. Not every champion racehorse is as beloved by the public as was Seabiscuit. I began to consider what wins a racehorse the “Crown of Love” in the public field.

Seabiscuit.

In the case of Seabiscuit, his career embodied the dreams and ideals of many Americans. As the Great Depression and World War II weighed upon the nation, Seabiscuit was running in rock bottom claiming races when he was purchased by the wealthy C.S. Howard. After Howard invested in Seabiscuit, the horse went on to beat the Triple Crown winner, War Admiral, in a nationally broadcast match race that captivated an audience of roughly one in three Americans. Seabiscuit later suffered an injury that threatened to end his career. He defied retirement and recovered to win the Santa Anita Handicap – a victory that had previously eluded him.

The accomplishments of Seabiscuit amounted to more than a moment in the winner’s circle. This horse mirrored the dreams of the general public during the depression. As stated by Director Gary Ross, Seabiscuit illustrated the “American idea that hidden inside you is huge potential that is untapped and undiscovered… If only people had the understanding to explore it, or to nurture it a little bit, what could possibly emerge?” To Ross, Seabiscuit demonstrated the potential for outstanding achievement if given a second chance.

In a time of war and financial desperation, Seabiscuit illustrated the ideal of struggling against the odds. In his career, Seabiscuit fought the stigma of being a lesser horse by virtue of racing on the west coast in a time when the east coast horses dominated the sport. In his famous match race, Seabiscuit, the clear underdog, demolished the stigma of being a low-grade horse by defeating his east coast rival, War Admiral. When he returned from injury to clinch a victory in the Santa Anita Handicap, he only reinforced the theme of prevailing against the odds. With the nation embroiled in struggle, Seabiscuit’s victories touched upon their own hopes and dreams. He represented the ideal that an underdog can succeed through hard work, determination, and endurance. In his struggle to victory, Seabiscuit became a principle owned by a nation.

Man O’ War.

Man O’ War illustrated throughout his career that public favor is also won through awakening human imagination and rewriting record books. Likened to a “living flame,” Man O’ War embodied the raw perfection that captivates the human heart and spirit.

In his sixteen month career between June 1919 and October 1920, Man O’ War won twenty of his twenty-one races. He was the favorite in all of his races, with odds of 1-100 in three of his starts. He won one race, the Lawrence Realization, by 100 lengths. Man O’ War set three world records, two American records, and three track records. He retired as the greatest money-winning Thoroughbred in history.

During his career, the public was in rapture by Man O’ War. Police had to protect the horse at tracks from souvenir hunters who tried to grab hairs from his mane and tail. His notoriety also attracted death threats. His Owner, Samuel Riddle had to hire a private detective to watch the horse’s trainer.

At the time of his retirement, Riddle was reportedly offered $500,000 for Man O’ War by Texas oil millionaire, William Waggoner. Riddle rejected the offer. Waggoner made a second offer to purchase for $1 million, in which Riddle again rejected. When Waggoner provided his third offer in the form of a blank check, Riddle countered, “You go to France, and bring back the sepulchre of Napoleon from Les Invalides. Then you go to England and buy the jewels from the crown. Then to India and buy the Taj Mahal. Then I’ll put a price on Man O’ War.”

After his retirement, Will Harbut, the groomsman for Man O’ War, managed the farm tours for visitors who traveled for a glimpse of the legend. It is estimated that the number of visitors ranged between 1.5 to three million. Harbut, having become a famous figure for being the groomsman to Man O’ War, would display the horse to the crowd and explain, “He broke all the records and he broke down all the horses, so there wasn’t nothing left for him to do but retire.”

When Man O’ War died at age 30, he was the first horse to be embalmed and he lay in state for two days in a specially-made casket lined with his racing colors. It is estimated that nearly 2000 people attended his funeral and the burial service was broadcast nationally with nine speakers providing eulogies.

Man O’ War remains a portrait of beauty, strength, power, and perfection. In the 1920 Travers, the starter described the awe that drew people toward the legend. “He was so beautiful that it almost made you cry, and so full of fire that he made you thank your God you could come close to him.”

Secretariat.

Secretariat exploded into the public eye through producing mind-bending victories that shattered all records in Triple Crown racing. Secretariat’s record left the public speechless and captivated by his magic.

When he arrived at the Belmont Stakes for the third leg of the triple crown, Secretariat led the news headlines in North America and had captured the covers of Newsweek, Time and Sports Illustrated. The sport has never enjoyed the same media attention since Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown season.

“Secretariat generates a crackling tension and excitement wherever he goes… When he accelerates… he produces a breathtaking explosion that leaves novices and hardened horsemen alike convinced that, for one of those moments that seldom occur in any sport, they have witnessed genuine greatness,” explained Pete Axthelm from Newsweek.

After his 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, his greatness has never been matched. In two minutes and twenty-four seconds, Secretariat set the world’s dirt track record for 1 1/2 miles, which many argue may never be broken. As Charles Hatton wrote in The Daily Racing Form, “His only point of reference is himself.”

In his sixteen-month career, Secretariat won sixteen of his twenty-one races. He was the odds-on favorite seventeen times. He won back-to-back “Horse of the Year” awards. He still holds the record time in the Kentucky Derby – 1:59:25. The Daily Racing Form clocked him as setting the record in the Preakness at 1:53 2/5. Because the track clock was malfunctioning, the official time was recorded as 1:54 2/5 and Canonero II remained the holder of the official record with his time of 1:54 2/5 the 1971 Preakness.

Secretariat was retired to stud at Claiborne Farms. His popularity continued long after his racing career ended. He received many letters and birthday cards each year from his fans and thousands of vistors came to Claiborne Farms to see Secretariat during his lifetime.

In the fall of 1989, he was afflicted with laminitis and was euthanized on October 4. He was buried at Claiborne Farm, receiving, in death the ultimate honor for a horse. By tradition, the only parts of a Thoroughbred buried at a gravesite are their head (to symbolize intelligence), heart (to symbolize strength), and legs (to symbolize power). As homage to the greatness of this legend, Secretariat was buried whole.

The legacy of Secretariat endures over two decades after his death. Penny Chenery, Owner of Secretariat, explained “It’s hard to believe after all these years, but hardly a day goes by that I don’t get mail about Secretariat.”

The Last Decade - Barbaro.

In recent years, Barbaro arguably captivated public interest and adoration more than any other horse – both for his performances on the track and after the races. After entering the Kentucky Derby with an undefeated record, he romped to the finish line to win by six lengths. I was among the 40,000 fans in attendance and could barely catch my breath as he drove alone toward the finish line. It was my first Derby.

When Barbaro broke down in the Preakness, I sent him a dozen roses in remembrance of his victory at the Kentucky Derby. I certainly was not alone. As the nation hung on for months in hopes that Barbaro would recover from the life-threatening injury, cards, flowers, carrots, and other gifts flooded the New Bolton Center. Signs were hung outside the gates of the facility. National news coverage covered the story on a regular basis. It is somewhat bittersweet that the most attention the sport had gained in years was a product of one of its’ saddest moments – the ultimate loss of this great horse.

When it was announced at the subsequent Derby that Barbaro would be buried at Churchill Downs, I watched as schoolchildren, who had sent letters and drawings to Barbaro, lined up to deliver Gretchen Jackson individual roses in the winner’s circle during a tribute ceremony. As she held a full bouquet of roses in the end, I was overwhelmed by the dignity and grace of Mrs. Jackson.

The Jacksons, along with Barbaro, had fought the odds and lost. In their journey, the Jacksons demonstrated honor, dignity, and concern for the well-being of the horse above all financial motives. Barbaro illustrated courage and determination throughout his fight for survival. He had the qualities that not only won on the track, but captured the hearts of the public.

Of the horses that have generated widespread national reverence, they all possessed common traits – strength, ability, power, and excitement. They mirror the human spirit in its’ purest form, and, in turn, these athletes become larger than the sport. They become a reflection of our greatest dreams and ideals.

Please feel free to email me directly with questions or comments at blog@thesaturdaypost.org.

NOTE: There are many other horses and facts that were not mentioned due to space restraints - I would have had to write a book. I hope to add more to this post in the future.

With schedule of five graded Derby prep races, numerous hopefuls face a test of talent today to compete for a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday of May. Many of the horses have difficult questions to answer relating to their ability to handle a higher grade, a change in distance, and tougher adversaries in the field.

In this moment of ambiguity, one thing is certain. The landscape of the Derby trail will be altered by tonight. As we approach the starting gates, the answers lie within the cards of five races.

Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade II). The $250,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes has drawn a field of ten contenders – including the early favorites Jackson Bend and Buddy’s Saint. With the top three finishers earning an automatic nomination for a highly-coveted spot in the Florida Derby, a major breeding ground for Kentucky Derby winners, this race card tops the Saturday line-up.

Among the contenders, Jackson Bend and Buddy’s Saint are likely to finish at the top of the stretch. In seven starts, Jackson Bend has proven himself a legitimate Derby hopeful by capturing five victories and harboring earnings of $477,820. Although Jackson Bend was beaten by Winslow Homer in the Holy Bull Stakes, he delivered an honorable second place finish – beaten only by three-quarters of a length and closing a strong second by running 3 1/4 lengths in front of the rest of the field.

However, Buddy’s Saint also stands as a top-notch contender and has demonstrated the force to strike a win in his three-year-old debut. Of his three starts in 2009, Buddy’s Saint captured two wins in Grade 2 races. In his most recent race, the $200,000 Remsen Stakes, he tracked the leader throughout the race to clinch a 4 ¾-length victory in the final stretch. Prior to the Remsen, Buddy’s Saint dominated the $150,000 Grade 2 Nashua Stakes, winning by twelve lengths at the wire.

Eskendereya, with morning line odds of 5-1, remains a noteworthy rival for Jackson Bend and Buddy’s Saint. This hopeful, trained by Todd Pletcher, has delivered two wins in four career starts. Although Eskendereya closed his 2009 season with a disappointing ninth place finish in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile (Gr. I), he recently clinched a first-place finish in an ungraded race this past January amidst a relatively large field. The Fountain of Youth is the first Grade 2 career start for Eskendereya. With a Grade 3 win in his 2009 season, it remains to be determined whether he can handle Grade 2 contenders after coming up short at the Grade 1 level in his two-year-old season.

The remaining seven horses in the field are Aikenite, Pulsion, Pleasant Prince, Prince Will I Am, Positive Split, Lost Aptitude, and Ice Box. Although many favor Aikenite, with morning line odds of 6-1, his sole first-place finish was his maiden race and he has consecutively dropped in order of finish in his subsequent races. Ice Box and Lost Aptitude seem to be better long shot picks.

Risen Star Stakes. (Grade II) The contenders in the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes vary dramatically in depth and proven ability in their journey toward the Derby. Although the overall field appears somewhat green in experience, four horses stand out among the twelve hopefuls.

The morning line favorite, Ron the Greek, has won three of his last four starts. Possibly, his most impressive win came in the Lecomte Stakes in January, where he passed nine other horses in the last five furlongs to capture a win.

Drosselmeyer, the second-favorite in odds, has demonstrated tremendous potential in recent months. Having won his last two races on dirt by several furlongs, it will be difficult for the rest of the field to catch him if he makes a similar romp in the stretch.

In November, Drosselmeyer broke his maiden at Churchill Downs by driving clear in the final furlongs and securing a flashy win that clearly bested his contenders. After his maiden victory, he returned to Gulfstream in January and drove down the stretch in a nine-furlong win during an entry-level allowance race.

Stay Put and Discreetly Mine are both impressive horses at this early stage in their career. Stay Put, has won his last two races, rallying from the back of the pack to secure a win in his three-year-old debut. Discreetly Mine has demonstrated his ability to handle a field of difficult contenders – having already placed in a Grade 1 race. It will be interesting to see how the talent of these two horses plays out in this race since this is a largely untested field.

Hutcheson Stakes. (Grade II) The final Grade 2 Derby prep today is the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Of the eight-horse card, Wildcat Frankie, D’Funnybone, and A Little Warm are the morning line favorites in the field.

Wildcat Frankie, with odds of 4-1, has won two of his last three races. He finished second to fellow contender, A Little Warm, in the Spectacular Bid Stakes during his three-year-old debut last month. A Little Warm, with odds of 3-1, took five races to break his maiden, but has won his last two races – namely, his maiden win and The Spectacular Bid Stakes.

D’Funnybone is the 2-1 odds-favorite in the Hutcheson – winning three of his last five starts. He is possibly the most tested horse in the field. He has already faced a Grade 1 start in his two-year-old career, The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile – in which he finished thirteenth in the race. The drop to a Grade 2 race may work to his advantage.

Southwest Stakes. (Grade III) The Grade 3 Southwest Stakes is the first graded prep on Oaklawn’s road to the $1 million Arkansas Derby (Gr. I). After being postponed due to track conditions at Oaklawn Park last Monday, the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes will be run today. Of the ten-horse card, three horses stand out among the contenders.

The 7-2 odds-favorite, Conveyance, has remained undefeated in his three starts and is emerging as a well-respected Derby hopeful. Conveyance recently made his three-year-old debut in the Grade 3 San Rafael Stakes– clinching a 1 3/4-length victory over his rivals.

The second-favorite in odds, Dryfly, has an impressive early record of three wins in four races. Arguably, his most notable race was his recent win in the Smarty Jones Stakes during his three-year-old debut. Among a large field of contenders, Dryfly, ridden by Calvin Borel, managed to clinch a 2 1/4-length victory in a stylish performance.

Finally, Dublin, with odds of 5-1, has more to prove against his two main rivals in the Southwest Stakes. At present, his crowning achievement was a Grade 1 win in September of 2009. Since that victory, Dublin has not placed in his past two races. Dublin recently underwent minor throat surgery. In today’s return to the track, he is making his first start at two turns.

El Camino Real Derby. (Grade III) The Grade 3, $150,000 El Camino Real Derby, Northern California’s main stepping-stone into the Kentucky Derby, is shaping up to be a match race between Ranger Heartley and Connemara.

Ranger Heartley, with odds of 5-2, has won four of his last six races. In his most recent win, Ranger Heartley beat rival, Connemara, in the California Derby on January 16, 2010. However, Connemara finished a close second to Ranger Heartley in that race – losing by three-quarter-length margin. This past November, Connemara won an allowance race at Santa Anita, with Ranger Heartley placing third in that outing. With the early talent demonstrated by both horses, the El Camino Real Derby may go down to the wire in a match race between these two contenders.

When Zenyatta clinched her groundbreaking win in the Breeder’s Cup Classic, she was the only subject on my mind. At the moment she crossed the finish line, I was skipping a wedding to watch her performance. After the race ended, I packed up my enthusiasm and set out to the reception with visions of her electrifying victory swirling in my head.

I simply couldn’t wait to talk about it with anyone who would listen.

Let’s just say, there was not a soul at that Chicago cocktail party that knew an ounce about horses. “Zenyatta” was a word that registered somewhere along the lines of failed sci-fi movie or an exotic foreign country that had just been discovered.

It certainly did not help that many people had not heard of the Breeder’s Cup. In retrospect, my social audience must have thought I was referring to a device used at fertility clinics – “Did you see the ‘Breeder’s Cup’ today?” …“Finally, a female took on the boys and made history.” I just want to cover my face in embarrassment over what ideas they perceived I was presenting to them at this elegant affair.

When I returned home, I searched all over the Internet for news about the race. I had to believe that someone shared the same enthusiasm about this historical moment. While reading the news stories on Bloodhorse, the NTRA website, and The Daily Racing Form, I discovered a brand new world – Horse Racing Blogs.

I don’t think blogging can replace traditional media outlets, nor can the medium ever match the experience of unexpectedly meeting another horse racing enthusiast in a social setting. However, blogs are a beautiful thing. The blogging community gives many different perspectives and provides stories that may have not been covered by regular news outlets. It also gives enthusiasts a place to share their enthusiasm, and hopefully, create more enthusiasm for this magnificent sport. Blogging about horse racing goes beyond a virtual “horse diary” – It draws the community together and creates a common cultural meeting place.

After tracking blogs all over the internet, here are some wonderful sites that I found. If you are a blogger or reader, feel free to add blogs that I missed in the comments section.

And keep writing – I don’t just blog. I read your blogs and enjoy hearing the varying perspectives. I enjoy knowing someone else appreciates the beauty and energy of this magnificent sport. I enjoy the idea that a virtual community is growing around the track and we are writing in a worldwide field.

The Media: NTRA, Bloodhorse, Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Times Blogs.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association Blogs.

Straight Up with Alex Waldrop.

Bob Ehalt Blog.

Karen Johnson Blog.

Claire Novak Blog.

Eric Wing Blog.

Dean Arnold Blog.

Bloodhorse Blog Stable.

Adam’s Turf.

Final Turn.

The Five-Cross Files.

Hammer Time.

Hangin’ with Haskin.

Maiden Watch.

Tracking Barbaro’s Brothers.

Triple Crown Talk.

TrueNicks.

What’s Going On Here.

Daily Racing Form Blogs.

The Inside Post.

Steven Crist Blog.

Jay Hovdey Blog.

Dan Illman Blog.

Randy Moss Blog.

Thoroughbred Times Blogs.

The Big Event.

From the Ring to the Racetrack.

No Holds Bard.

The Field: Horse Racing Blogs and Alliances Across the Web.

Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance.

The Horse.Com Blogs.

Thoroughbred Chat.

Jennie Ries Courier-Journal Blog.

The Aspiring Horseplayer.

Inside Horseracing with Art Wilson.

New York Racing Insider Blog.

West Points.

Zipse at the Track.

Superfecta.

Focused Filly.

She’s On Her Toes.

Rail Runner.

The Horse Racing Network.

Since the first run of the Kentucky Derby in 1875, the race has evolved throughout the years into one of the grandest society events – steeped with many unique traditions and customs. The Derby is the showcase for lavishly feminine hats, sugar-soaked Mint Juleps, countless displays of red roses, decadent local cuisine, and extravagant parties on the Eve of the Derby. This resource provides a basic overview of the popular traditions and cultural novelties that surround what is termed, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”

Femininity is in Fashion: Derby Hats and Elegant Dresses. From its’ inception, the Derby was envisioned to be a luxurious event in American Thoroughbred Racing. Beginning in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, affluent women arrived at the race wearing fashionable hats, gloves, and stylish dresses. Throughout the years, the tradition of Derby hats and feminine couture has endured, and perhaps, grown more colorful and expensive with each new season. Today, women wear many styles of glamorous hats, along with a wide variety of dresses and suits. The feminine pageantry surrounding the race has become nearly as iconic as the horses on the field.

One Sweet Day: The Mint Julep. The Bourbon-charged “Mint Julep” is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and is composed of sugar syrup, fresh mint, crushed ice, and Kentucky bourbon. On race day, vendors weave through the crowds with fresh “Mint Juleps,” served in the commemorative annual Kentucky Derby glass. The famed “Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep” is also available through auction prior to Derby day, with the proceeds benefitting charity.

Although the mixing ingredients have varied in the past few years, the lavish drink remains served in a 24-karat Gold Cup and is made with Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon. In 2006, the “Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep” benefitted retired horses and jockeys through donating the proceeds to the Thoroughbred Charities of America, That year, the Mint was imported from Morocco, the ice was obtained from the Arctic Circle, and the sugar was acquired from the South Pacific. Upon announcement, our blog will feature the 2010 ingredients and auction link for the “Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep.”

The Traditional Song: “My Old Kentucky Home.” As the Derby contenders are paraded before the crowd prior to the race, “My Old Kentucky Home” is played by the University of Louisville Marching Band. There are no words to describe this mesmerizing moment. For new Derby attendees, the words to the song are inscribed in the racing program. Many Kentuckians know the tune by heart and it is considered a moment of pride when the song is being sung throughout the crowd.

The Emperor’s New Clothes: A Garland of Roses. The Garland of Roses that cloak the winning Derby horse hold an interesting history. Roses first appeared on the radar when they were presented to all the ladies attending a glamorous Louisville Derby party, held by a New York socialite and attended by the President of Churchill Downs, Colonel Lewis Clark. The roses were such a phenomenon that Clark adopted the rose as the race’s official flower. The rose garland first appeared at the Derby in the 1896 when the winner received a floral arrangement of pink and white roses. In 1904, the red rose was chosen as the official flower of the Kentucky Derby.

Each year, a garland of more than 400 red roses is sewn into a green satin backing with the seal of the Commonwealth on one side and the twin spires and number of the running on the other end of the garland. Each garland is also adorned with a “Crown” of roses, ribbon and green fern. The “Crown,” is a single rose pointing upward in the center of the garland, to symbolize the struggle and heart necessary to reach the winners’ circle.

The Gold Standard: The Kentucky Derby Trophy. The Kentucky Derby Gold Cup is awarded each year to the winning horse’s owner. The trophy is made from a combination of 20 and 14-karat gold and weighs more than 100 ounces. A sterling version of the trophy is awarded to the winning trainer, jockey, and breeder. The Gold Cup trophy takes over three months to produce and is one of the few solid gold trophies awarded in any American sporting event.

The Society Pages: The Derby Eve Galas. All throughout the nation, Derby parties are hosted on an annual basis. However, in Louisville, there are a few lavish society parties that honor the Eve of the Derby with unparalleled pageantry and style. The most sought-after tickets in Louisville on Derby Eve are to the Barnstable Brown Gala and the Mint Jubilee.

The Barnstable Brown Sisters (the former “Doublemint Twins”) have been hosting the most exclusive party for two decades in celebration of the Derby on the night before the race. Celebrities and guests are given access by invitation only to the event comprised of 1,200 attendees.

Founded in 1996, The Mint Jubilee Gala is another Derby Eve party that carries prestige among partygoers. Tickets to this 1,000 person event cost approximately $500.00 per individual in 2009. The event is attended by political figures, celebrities, and ticketed guests.

Derby Pie: Decades of Decadence. On Derby Day, Churchill Downs will sell more than 25,000 slices of Derby Pie to track attendees. At off-track parties, many Derby events order the pie from Louisville and have it shipped to their home for dessert. The Derby Pie, a trademarked name, is made by Kern’s Kitchen with custard, chocolate chips, and walnuts – all baked into a 9-inch crust. The recipe is highly coveted – only three people know the actual recipe. All employees of Kern’s Kitchen are required to sign an agreement not to divulge any of the Derby Pie secrets. The Derby Pie can be ordered by visiting the company website at http://www.derbypie.com.

Although the final Kentucky Derby starters won’t enter the gates at Churchill Downs for over two months, several horses have begun to emerge in the prep races as early hopefuls for the first Saturday in May.

I’ll admit it. It is premature to cement any horse in Derby contention as anything other than a hopeful at this stage. The field for the Derby will transform itself many times in the upcoming months with unexpected turns and challenges as it does every season. However, at this early stage, here is a rundown of the major prospects.

Lookin at Lucky

Lookin at Lucky. It would be impossible to start any discussion of Derby hopefuls without mentioning the generally-regarded favorite, Lookin at Lucky. Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert has maintained the quiet supremacy afforded to this horse without even having run Lookin at Lucky in one start this season. Further, he has stated that Lookin at Lucky will only run in two prep races in hopes of clinching a slot in the gate at the Kentucky Derby.

So, what is so spectacular about the mysterious Looking at Lucky? In his six starts, four of which were Grade 1 races, Lookin at Lucky has only succumbed to a single defeat – The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile.

During the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, Lookin at Lucky lost by a head after struggling with a bad trip throughout the race. At the start of the race, Lookin at Lucky was wide early, got stuck in midpack while facing a slow pace, rallied wide, and was ultimately outfinished from the inside by Vale of York. When interviewed after the Juvenile, Baffert stood firm. “We know we have a legit horse, we just didn’t get paid.”

Since the Juvenile defeat, he captured a win in the Breeder’s Cup Cash Call Futurity in December of 2009. Under jockey Garrett Gomez, Lookin at Lucky won by three-quarters of a length, after making several different moves throughout the race, to kick clear at the wire to secure a win. “Hell of a day, huh?” Baffert remarked in a post-race interview. “He’s getting better and better.”

Select videos of Lookin at Lucky’s past performances are available here for the Cash Call Futurity (1st), Breeder’s Cup Juvenile (2nd) , Norfolk Stakes (1st), and Del Mar Futurity (1st).

Buddy’s Saint. Buddy’s Saint is another strong candidate at this early stage in Derby prep races. Of his three starts in 2009, Buddy’s Saint captured two wins in Grade 2 races. In his most recent race, the $200,000 Remsen Stakes, Buddy’s Saint tracked the leader throughout the race to clinch a 4 ¾-length victory in the final stretch.

Prior to the Remsen, Buddy’s Saint dominated the $150,000 Grade 2 Nashua Stakes, winning by twelve lengths at the wire. He is expected to run in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on February 20, 2010 – competing against two other major hopefuls - Jackson Bend and Eskendereya.

Super Saver. It would be impossible to ignore this horse with the powerhouse team that catapulted Super Saver into his flashy first-place finish at the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Super Saver, owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, made an amazing romp toward a victory under rider Calvin Borel in the Jockey Club Stakes. In the upcoming prep races, it will be interesting to see if this horse has the ability to give a repeat performance and capture a Grade 1 win.

Jackson Bend

Jackson Bend. In seven starts, Jackson Bend has proven himself a legitimate Derby hopeful by capturing five victories and harboring earnings of $477,820. He was beaten by Winslow Homer in the Holy Bull Stakes, but still delivered an honorable second place finish. Prior to the Holy Bull, he was unbeaten in five consecutive starts and remains a strong hopeful – especially considering the depth of his experience in comparison to his other rivals at this stage. He is expected to race in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on February 20, 2010 in his next endeavor to remain on the Derby trail.

Rule. Rule has emerged as a serious contender among Derby hopefuls – having closed out his two-year-old campaign with three consecutive victories and, more recently, capturing a win in the Grade 3 $225,000 Sam. F. Davis Stakes.

In the Sam F. Davis Stakes, Rule drove toward the finish and won by three-lengths over a field of well-respected rivals. It remains to be seen if he can match his Sam F. Davis performance in a Grade 1 race. After the Sam F. Davis, trainer Todd Pletcher did not point toward the next prep race for Rule – but mentioned the Florida Derby, Blue Grass, or Wood Memorial among the options being considered.

Dryfly. With a record of three wins in four races, Dryfly is gaining respect as a Derby hopeful after his impressive win at the Smarty Jones Stakes in his three-year-old debut. Among a large field of contenders, Dryfly, ridden by Calvin Borel, managed to clinch a 2 1/4-length victory in a stylish performance. As with many other early hopefuls, it remains to be seen how he will handle a Grade 1 race. However, judging by his current record, he remains a strong early contender.

Eskendereya. This hopeful, trained by Todd Pletcher, has delivered two wins in four career starts. Although Eskendereya closed his 2009 season with a disappointing ninth place finish in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, this hopeful has re-emerged as an interesting contender in the 2010 season.

This past January, Eskendereya clinched a first-place finish during an ungraded race in a relatively large field. After the win, Pletcher showed confidence in his horse, stating that “The Fountain of Youth is a possibility, although I don’t know if he needs to wait that long to come back… The one thing I am sure of is that getting a mile and one-eighth will be no problem.” It remains to be determined whether this horse is capable of matching Pletcher’s confidence with ability to conquer a Grade 1 race.

Noble's Promise

Noble’s Promise. Noble’s Promise has established himself as a legitimate Derby hopeful through showing the capacity to deliver a respectable performance in repeated Grade 1 races. Of his six starts, Noble’s Promise has clinched three wins – including a victory in the Grade 1 Dixiana Breeder’s Futurity. With the demonstrated capacity to consistently win or place while taking on serious rivals in the Juvenile Breeder’s Cup (third) and the Cash Call Futurity (second), Noble’s Promise is one of the few hopefuls who has proven his capacity to manage the difficulty of a Grade 1 race

Conveyance. In his three starts, this Bob Baffert-trained horse has remained undefeated and is emerging as a respectable Derby hopeful. Conveyance recently made his three-year-old debut in the Grade 3 San Rafael Stakes – clinching a 1 3/4-length victory over his rivals. Conveyance is expected to race again in the Southwest Stakes on February 15.

Horse Racing has long been called the “Sport of Kings,” with the players paying a fortune to have a share of the alluring social pageantry, luxury lifestyle and electrifying experience of racehorse ownership. This is a sport where money competes for prestige on the track and in society. Millions can be spent on a single horse, a thousand dollars for a single drink, and hundreds on the lavish traditions that accompany the culture.

Let’s face it. We can’t all be millionaires and royalty. But this sport is made of more than money. Some of the greatest racehorses were bought at rock bottom prices and built a legacy through relentless spirit and an inexplicable drive toward perfection. Likewise, enthusiasts of the sport are drawn from all socioeconomic backgrounds and celebrate with the same fervor and passion as the affluent players in the field.

At the finish line, this sport reaches far beyond kings. It is infused with business people, celebrities, country dwellers, media, families, socialites, cowboys, middle-class investors, and college kids camped throughout the infields. With a hundred dollar budget, nearly anyone can experience many of the luxurious traditions of the sport in the age of the internet and industry promotions. Try it – you might enjoy the view from the beyond the velvet wire.

Enjoy a Mint Julep and Donate to a Racing Charity. (Estimated Cost: $30) With the Kentucky Derby prep race season in motion, I can’t think of a more decadent way to watch the races on a Saturday afternoon than to sip on a Mint Julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.

On Derby day, Brown-Forman, the company that owns the Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Early Times Whisky Brands, dominates the Derby festivities by serving nearly 120,000 Mint Juleps to Churchill Downs attendees over the two-day period covering the Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

For philanthropists and affluent guests, the company has created “The Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep,” with proceeds benefitting selected horseracing charities. Aside from the inclusion of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, the other carefully-selected ingredients are determined on an annual basis by the company, and the drink is purchased via advance auction on the Woodford Reserve Website. The winners are served this extravagant drink at the Derby upon presenting proof of purchase. In 2006, the luxurious Mint Julep was served in a limited-edition 24 carat gold-plated julep cup, accompanied by sterling silver sipping straws, and infused with mint from Morocco, ice from the Arctic Circle, and sugar from the South Pacific.

So… How can you show your philanthropic spirit while enjoying a hand-crafted Mint Julep? Easy. First, you’ll need the “Official Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Recipe” and the ingredients.

The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of water

Sprigs of Fresh Mint

Crushed Ice

Early Times Kentucky Whisky

Instructions: Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six to eight sprigs of fresh mint. Refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by placing a few sprigs of mint at the bottom of a glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon and two ounces of Early Times Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

To maintain your “social” budget, the estimated cost of a 1.75 ml bottle of Early Times Whiskey is roughly fifteen dollars. The remaining five dollars can be used to purchase sugar and mint. While the simple syrup is cooling overnight, you can pick the racing charity of your choice and donate the remaining ten dollars in your budget. A few selected charities appear below.

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). Thoroughbred Charities of America’s sole mission is to raise money for distribution to more than 200 charitable organizations in Thoroughbred rescue, retirement, retraining, research, education, and therapeutic riding programs.

Riding with Barbaro. The Riding with Barbaro Memorial Fund provides funding for equine health and safety research.

The Race for Education (RFE). The Race For Education (RFE) enables financially-qualifying young people of equine industry families, as well as those who want to pursue an equine-related or agricultural career, to obtain a college degree by providing tuition support, financial literacy training to help students minimize their debt load, mentoring services to provide students with emotional support, and permanent jobs upon graduation.

Research the Featured Prep Races and Open an Online Betting Account. (Estimated Cost: $70) If you are new to horse racing, most dedicated handicappers read the biographies of the horses, research bloodlines, watch video footage of past performances, follow handicapping blogs, and read recent articles surrounding the races prior to betting. There are many excellent free internet resources to obtain knowledge about horses and races prior to betting. In order to get started, you can visit the following resources:

National Thoroughbred Racing Association. http://www.ntra.com/

The Bloodhorse Magazine. http://www.bloodhorse.com

The Daily Racing Form. http://www.drf.com

After picking your race and horses, you can avoid off-track betting sites by opting to bet online, subject to the legality in your State. A great online resource to wager is TVG. In order to set up a TVG account, you will need to deposit a fifty dollar minimum and can bet from your home computer. To set up an account with TVG, visit their website at http://www.tvg.com. As an initial deposit, I recommend depositing at least seventy dollars to cover your potential wagers for your first chosen race to bet online.

Make a Bet. (Estimated Cost: $18) Once you’ve set up your online wagering, place some bets for your Derby prep race. I recommend a budget of $18.00 for your first race ($12 for a trifecta box, $4 for an exacta box, and $2 to wager on your pick for the winning horse).

Invite Friends to your Home, Serve Some Mint Juleps, and Watch the Race. Now that your simple syrup is chilled, why not invite over a few friends and watch the race together? Serve the mint juleps and enjoy watching your horse compete against other Derby hopefuls.

Experience Virtual Ownership of a Thoroughbred. (Estimated Cost: Free!) Although the ideal dream is to truly own a thoroughbred racehorse, Woodford Reserve presents the next best thing through its’ free membership in “The Woodford Reserve Thoroughbred Society.” Members have no actual equity or earnings stake in the horses, but the society provides a wonderful blog on the activities of the horses in its’ stable, as well as bios that include detailed facts – including fun stories like the favorite luxury food of one of the stable horses, “Angel’s Share” is peppermints. The Society also details the biographies of the trainers and upcoming activities. Overall, if you can’t afford to open your wallet to purchase a horse, this society gives you a great experience of feeling like a player in the field. To join the Woodford Reserve Thoroughbred Society, visit the Woodford Reserve Website.

Even with a hundred bucks, you can enjoy the luxury lifestyle of the “Sport of Kings.” I hope you are sitting among friends, drinking a mint julep, enjoying the races, and reading about the adventures of your horses in the Woodford Reserve Stables. Welcome to the elite society.

After a contentious debate over the 2009 “Horse of the Year” Eclipse Award, Rachel Alexandra prevailed over Zenyatta when the winner was finally announced on January 19, 2010. Prior to the announcement, the owners of both champion fillies had committed to race their horses in the 2010 season. With the final ballots cast, the industry has moved from the “Horse of the Year” debate toward speculation regarding a match race between these two female rivals in 2010.

Since 1975, there have not been any major thoroughbred match races involving champions in America after Ruffian sustained a terminal injury while competing against Kentucky Derby winner, Foolish Pleasure. In that race, the undefeated filly Ruffian met Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park in New York. A national television audience watched as Ruffian broke down shortly after the start and had to be euthanized the following day.

Before the sad ending to match racing with Ruffian’s injury, there were several other major match races throughout the century. In 1955, Kentucky Derby winner, Swaps, met Nashua, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner of that year. Nashua won the race, but speculation did not cease after the match. Swaps had been nursing a sore foot in days prior to the race. Eddie Arcaro, rider of Nashua, admitted many years later that he doubted Nashua could ever have beaten a healthy Swaps.

In 1947, Triple-Crown winner and 1946 Horse of the Year, Assault, held a $100,000 match race against Calumet Farm’s horse, Armed. Armed beat Assault by eight lengths and went on to win the 1947 title of Horse of the Year.

One of the arguably most talked-about match races of the century occurred in 1938, between the rags-to-riches underdog, Seabiscuit, and the Triple-Crown winner and reigning horse of the year, War Admiral. Seabiscuit tracked War Admiral across the country and quickly became the “People’s Horse” during the depression era. After he defeated War Admiral in the 1939 showdown, Seabiscuit went on to win Horse of the Year.

However, match racing existed before the popular match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. In 1923, the Kentucky Derby winner, Zev, took on the English Derby winner, Papyrus. The race was dubbed the first “international” race and exorbitant prices were charged for tickets. Zeb won the match race against Papyrus, but doubts lingered about the victory due to track conditions and a mistake in shoeing Papyrus prior to the race.

Finally, in 1920, Horse of the Century, Man O’ War, met Sir Barton, the first horse to win what would later be dubbed the “Triple Crown,” in a match race in Canada. Man O’ War won the race by seven lengths, but the importance of the race was questioned because it was widely-regarded that Sir Barton was not at his peak performance.

With a new century, the industry is faced with the prospect of a major match race between two champion fillies – Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. From a brief look at the history of match racing, the unasked question is “What purpose would a match race serve?”

The most obvious answer is financial gain to the industry and owners, as well as reinvigorating public interest in the sport of horseracing. But, aside from these interests, does a match race serve either filly in cementing their championship status over the other filly?

From the historical view, Zenyatta appears to have more to gain while Rachel Alexandra more to lose if the two are pegged against each other in a match race. In the races in which a reigning Horse of the Year accepted and lost a match race, the prevailing horse went on to win “Horse of the Year” in the following season. Therefore, Zenyatta’s most important targeted race for 2010 should be a match against Rachel Alexandra if she wants to attempt to clinch the much sought-after title of “Horse of the Year.”

In the same vein, if Rachel Alexandra were to lose a match to Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra’s “Horse of the Year” victory over Zenyatta may be called into question all over again. Rachel would be forced into a rivalry with Zenyatta that could last over several races in an attempt to gain the lead over her rival in the court of public opinion.

Further, the historical record shows that match races rarely seem to settle the score between two rival champion horses. In the case between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure, there was no true winner since Ruffian was injured during the race. Between Swaps and Nashua, Nashua’s own jockey, Arcaro, felt that Swaps would have won if he had been in better health. The race between Zev and Papyrus only clouded the debate since Papyrus encountered track difficulties and there was a mistake in shoeing the horse. Finally, Man O’ War’s victory over Sir Barton was also questioned since Sir Barton was not at his peak-performance level at the time of the match.

If a match race were to be held between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, it would seemingly do little to settle the debate regarding who is the greater horse between the two champions. However, it would make for an electrifying spectacle to watch these two fillies face off on the track.

Rather than aiming to have a match race settle the ongoing debate of who is the greater horse between Zenyatta and Rachel, a match race, if held, should serve only to showcase the two great fillies of our decade. Their championship status has already been proven in different races, on different tracks.