Visionaire walks off of the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby on April 28, 2008 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Smooth Air (l) runs on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby on April 29, 2008 at Churchill Downs. (Photo by… Continue reading →

(from the Blood-Horse)

Hickory Tree Stables’ Rebellion, idle since running eighth in the Oct. 27 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT), stormed down the lane April 12 to catch longshot Elite Squadron by a head in the final strides in the $400,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. II) (VIDEO) on the Keeneland Polytrack.

THE LAST DERBY PREP…Jockey David Flores raises his riding crop after guiding Behindatthebar to a win over Samba Rooster in the Lexington Stakes horse race at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, April 19, 2008.

In this photo released by Gulfstreatm Park, Peach Flambe, with jockey Eddie Castro up, captures the Cicada Stakes horse race at Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 19, 2008 in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Cicada (foaled on May 9, 1959) at Christopher Chenery‘s Meadow Stud in Virginia, was considered by many the best horse Meadow Stud ever bred up until the arrival or Secretariat.

A bay filly by Bryan G, she was out of Satsuma whose dam was Hildene, a “blue hen”… Continue reading →

In this photo released by the Maryland Jockey Club, Icabad Crane ridden by Jeremy Rose, wins the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for three-year-olds at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Sovereign Duty (3) with Danielle Hodsdon riding, clears a jump ahead of Orison with Matthew McCarron in the saddle on the way to winning the Grade I Royal Chase horse race at Keeneland race course in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Virginian Harold “Sonny” Via’s Good Night Shirt, the reigning champion steeplechaser, returned to action with a convincing victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Georgia Cup (NSA-G1) at the Atlanta Steeplechase.

Trained by Jack Fisher, Good Night Shirt caught Hip Hop (Count the Time) after the last fence and won by 1 1/2 lengths under regular jockey Willie Dowling. Mixed Up (Carnivalay) finished 14 1/4 lengths back in third. The Maryland-bred winner covered the two miles and 12 fences in 3:45 4/5 while… Continue reading →

The folks with the Virginia State Fair that organize the Strawberry Hill races were kind enough to invite us to a reception at the races Saturday. Colonial Downs also offered us a nice invite to their infield tent as well.

Watching a steeplechase meet from the 4th floor Turf Club and sky suites was an interesting experience. It provided a great bird’s eye view of the course and the sea of tents and people that were parked on the Colonial… Continue reading →

GAYEGO…and jockey Mike Smith, (4), right, leads Z Fortune and jockey Robby Albarado (10) to the finish line to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., Saturday, April 12, 2008.

MONBA…ridden by Edgar Prado charges to the finish line to win the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Saturday, April 12, 2008. Cowboy Cal finished second and Kentucky Bear was third.