horse racing writing. horse racing enthusiasm.
Today, I saw a horse who raced in my favourite horse race ever. No, I didn't see the winner of the 2014 Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII). After all, this weekend I am making my first foray to Fair Grounds -- not Three Chimneys Farm. But, I did get to see Narvaez in person. He finished... Continue Reading →
Despite being far more passionate about words than pictures, sometimes I need a picture to tell the story. I saw the announcement on Thursday about Palace Malice retiring, and even said a few words about it. It did not feel as sudden as his retirement last year, a retirement that had never completely felt real... Continue Reading →
On September 5 of last year, Palace Malice retired. September 5 of this year was supposed to be a little different: a start in the Woodward. That will not happen. Today, Palace Malice retired. Again. I had not given up, despite how hard I kept trying to cull my expectations. I was still waiting for... Continue Reading →
Palace Malice ran in the Alydar Stakes today. I feared a Whitney. I hoped for a miracle. I tried to remain stoic. 2015 has been a year of fits and starts for Palace Malice. He was cleared to resume training last November, and Cot Campbell announced a neat little five-race plan: the Westchester, the Met... Continue Reading →
I am a pessimist. I was not always that way. When I was young, optimism seeped out of my pores. Everything was awesome, everything was going to be alright, and there was no point walking anywhere but on the sunny side of the street. Once I gathered the least bit of self-awareness, somewhere in my... Continue Reading →
Last week, Palace Malice was supposed to return in the Westchester (GIII). He scratched, though he returned to the worktab on Tuesday. That boded well, suggesting that his foot bruise that kept him out of the race last weekend was not something serious. Tomorrow, he gets a prep over the Belmont dirt, the Diablo Stakes.... Continue Reading →
A bit lost in the shuffle of Derby Madness was the Westchester Stakes (GIII) at Belmont. Ever since Dogwood Stable announced Palace Malice's comeback schedule, the Westchester had been planned as his comeback race. He had won it as easily as a 1/20 shot should have last year, reasserting his class and his affinity for... Continue Reading →
Last year, the Westchester Stakes (GIII) drew a field of four. Palace Malice came into it off of two sharp victories in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII) and the New Orleans Handicap (GIII), and it would be his final tune-up before the Met Mile. He had a legitimate claim to the title of best in... Continue Reading →
Welcome back to the twelve days of Curlin babies: a look back on twelve races during 2014 that stand out among races by Curlin’s progeny over the course of the year. They are races I keep returning to in my head, and ones that I am always excited to discuss. They will all have a... Continue Reading →
I finally have an answer again to the question of who my favourite horse in training is. Fortunately, this did not have to be a result of soul-searching and hair-splitting and new exercises in playing favourites among dozens of horses who makes me squeal with glee. No, it's nothing like that. Palace Malice is coming... Continue Reading →
On September 5, Dogwood Stable announced that Palace Malice was being retired due to a bone bruise. It was an injury that would require him being turned out for a while to heal: so even though the veterinary prognosis suggested he could recover well enough to race at full strength at age five, he would... Continue Reading →
Given how much I write and tweet about the Curlin babies, it's a common misconception that Curlin is my favourite horse of all time. However, he isn't. That distinction goes to one of his babies, Palace Malice. Palace Malice is the whole reason I follow Curlin's progeny in the first place. Palace Malice is the... Continue Reading →
Welcome to another installment of this week in Curlin babies: all the news that’s fit to print about Blinkers Off’s favourite sire. This week, Stopshoppingdebbie extended her record to a perfect nine-for-nine, and plans have emerged for her to test her mettle outside Emerald Downs for the first time. Two Curlin babies, Sookie and Une... Continue Reading →
Welcome to another installment of this week in Curlin babies: all the news that’s fit to print about Blinkers Off’s favourite sire. This week, there were several fun highlights in the world of Curlin babies. Whisper to Curlin earned his first stakes win in his first stakes start, taking the Iowa Breeders' Derby. Two-year-old filly... Continue Reading →
Yesterday Palace Malice ran in the Whitney (GI). He finished sixth, beaten eleven lengths. While watching the race, no clear reason or excuse emerged for why he finished so far up the track. He broke just fine from the 5 gate, and was near the front early. He went wide through the clubhouse turn, but... Continue Reading →
