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Shared Content Archive

This is the archive of all the old shared content.

Catching the ‘Fever’ in Dubai

by Michele MacDonald Perhaps the most intriguing story in international racing now is beginning to unfold in the Middle East with shades of one of the sport’s all-time great fictional tales, Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion, transformed by a real-life script involving modern Arabian royalty and high stakes.  The big, blackish and undefeated South American...

Team Dedomenico Looking to Share Some of Its ‘Luck’

by Brian DiDonato  While powerhouse owner Dr. Mark Dedomenico is certainly not getting out of the Thoroughbred business, his operation will sell about a half dozen mares at the Keeneland January Sale in an effort to maintain a focus on racing rather than breeding. Among the Dedomenico consignment, which is being handled by John Sikura’s...

A ‘Carnival’ Atmosphere in Dubai

For the next eight Thursdays and a couple of Saturdays, the sprawling Meydan Racecourse plays host to the Dubai International Racing Carnival, which kicks off this evening with the running of Round 1 of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge going the modified one-turn mile.  Despite a return to a conventional dirt surface for the first...

Freshmen Star on the Gold Coast

By Kelsey Riley  The opening session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale was highlighted by a strong top end of the market and growth across most key indicators at the Bundall complex in Queensland yesterday. A total of 140 horses (77.3%, down from 79.7% last year) changed hands for A$23,335,000, a figure that...

Jeffry Morris – Letter to the Editor

Jeffry Morris: So the Hall of Fame executive committee continues their negligence, along with every other board room in the Thoroughbred industry, with their passive persecution of Steve Asmussen. Instead of assuming a proactive, pro-industry stance their spinelessness perpetuates groundless accusations which impugn us all. For 10 months, “alleged”, ethical abuses have been, “under investigation”,...

Fan Participation Paradigm: Exciting Possibilities, But Not Without Pitfalls

by T.D. Thornton The cover of Sports Illustrated that commemorated American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)’s Triple Crown victory captured not only the historical significance of the feat, but the uniquely 21st Century way the achievement was perceived by the public: The colt soaring toward the Belmont Park finish line occupied only a small section of...

A Dream Edged With Gold

By Emma Berry There are plenty of certainties on Derby day. The walk from car park to racecourse will involve being accosted by gypsies brandishing lucky heather with intent bordering on the intimidating. Open-top double-decker buses will be parked along the inside of the final few furlongs of the track, their passengers scattered about the...

Park’ Looking For Affirmation

Pam and Martin Wygod’s last out GI Santa Anita Derby fourth Prospect Park (Tapit) looks to get back on track in this return to the races as the 6-5 morning line favorite Sunday. The homebred yet again receives the services of pilot Kent Desormeaux and graduated over track and trip Dec. 27 before making it back-to-back wins...

Moroccan Champ To Star In Italy

Moroccan Champion Billabong (Mor) (Gentlewave {Ire}), who won nine times in 11 starts in his native country–including the Grand Prix De Sa Majeste Le Roi Mohammed VI, the most important race in Northern Africa–will feel at home in Italy tomorrow, with temperatures in the mid 90’s expected Sunday for the G1 Gran Premio Di Milano.  Billabong could...

Pletcher Begins Preakness Planning

Trainer Todd Pletcher revealed Tuesday that ‘TDN Rising Stars’ Materiality (Afleet Alex), Carpe Diem (Giant’s Causeway) and Competitive Edge (Super Saver) were all under consideration for the May 16 GI Preakness S. Alto Racing’s Materiality and WinStar and Stonestreet’s Carpe Diem were sixth and 10th, respectively, in the May 2 GI Kentucky Derby; while Nancy Favreau, Kathy Psionos and Michael Tabor’s...

Attendance Cap at Belmont S. Could Prove a Clever Hedge for NYRA

Attendance at this year’s GI Belmont S. will be capped at 90,000, the New York Racing Association announced on Wednesday.  The cap was revealed by NYRA chief executive officer and president Chris Kay at the tail end of a superlative-laden media teleconference to outline the details of the inaugural Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which is...

14 left for French 1000 Guineas

Just listed winner Irish Rookie (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and Royal Rizalma (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) remain as British-trained possible runners in Sunday’s G1 French 1000 Guineas. Seven fillies were taken out at the latest forfeit stage, including Hugo Palmer’s New Providence (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), leaving 14 left in.  Martyn Meade, Irish Rookie’s trainer, said, “We’ve left her in and...