Archive for 2015

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Carpe Diem and Frosted ran their way toward the top of the Kentucky Derby list with weekend victories but it was Dortmund’s dominant win in the Santa Anita Derby that had tongues wagging. Meanwhile, Lovely Maria, Stellar Wind and Condo Commando stamped their tickets to the Kentucky Oaks with […]

March 30, 2015 – “If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It’s much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.” Grace Hopper

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer A weekend of world-class racing from Dubai to the Louisiana bayous and from Japan to Florida set the stage for much of the year to come. California Chrome came up a few lengths short in the Dubai World Cup, losing to a veteran with experience over the track. But […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Firing Line fired on all cylinders in the Sunland Derby on Sunday, emerging from the shadow of his California rival, Dortmund, among the elite Kentucky Derby contenders. In Kentucky, Dubai Sky moved off the turf to win the Spiral Stakes on the Turfway Park all-weather track, causing his owners […]

March 16, 2015 – “Don’t surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn’t true anymore.” Cheryl Strayed

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Victories by the veteran Able Friend in Hong Kong and budding star American Pharoah in Arkansas highlighted a diverse weekend of racing action. American Pharoah’s win — off a long layoff and over a wet track — gives trainer Bob Baffert two top Kentucky Derby contenders. Able Friend’s win […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer There were no major surprises on the Kentucky Derby trail during the weekend but there was a bit of a shock in Dubai amid a big weekend for the home folks there. Meanwhile, Shared Belief looked ready to take full command among older horses — at least until we […]

March 6, 2015 – “The chief enemy of creativity is good sense.” Pablo Picasso

March 2, 2015 – “You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.” Cormac McCarthy

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI RACING WRITER The Kentucky Derby trail developed another pothole Saturday as Gulfstream Park canceled most of its card because of heavy rain. The postponement of the Grade II Fasig Tipton Swale Stakes and the Grade III Palm Beach Stakes follows last week’s rescheduling of the Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn […]