Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Popularity of Horses Could Boost Racing’s Image

October 2nd, 2023

As racing attempts to restore its image through press statements regarding drug offenses and fatal injuries, along with tighter police work and stiffer penalties for cheaters, perhaps it is time to allow the horses to help by focusing on their popularity and creating the same kind of emotional bond with the public that existed years ago. It will never again reach that level, but hopefully the Secretariat “Vox Populi” Award can become more important each year in bringing out the human interest and feel-good stories and create new equine heroes…

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Zenyatta: The Legend Behind the Legend

September 25th, 2023

This year’s Secretariat Festival will feature two extraordinary events. One, which we reported previously, will be a visit to Claiborne Farm’s rarely visited Marchmont cemetery that is now the gravesite of the legendary Ruffian. The other will be a private visit to see the great Zenyatta at Lane’s End Farm, where you will also see last year’s exciting undefeated Horse of the Year Flightline. In this column we will take a look at many aspects of Zenyatta that people know little about and the degree in which she transcended the sport. ~ Steve Haskin Zenyatta: The Legend Behind the Legend  …Read More

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Spencer and Luna: A Love Story

September 19th, 2023

Forget the highs and lows of Saratoga. Forget the upcoming Breeders’ Cup. This is about the true meaning of Thoroughbred racing and the special bond between a foal and a young boy that defied the odds and took them on an unforgettable journey…

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Big Red Bounces Back in the Marlboro Cup

September 11th, 2023

This is the story of how Secretariat managed to recover from an illness suffered in the Whitney Stakes in time to once again make history in the inaugural running of the Marlboro Cup, paving the way for an unforgettable fall season that solidified his greatness…

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

The Ire of the Tiger at the Kentucky Derby

September 4th, 2023

One never knows where a story idea will come from. This week it took a maiden victory by a 2-year-old filly at Saratoga and one particular name in her pedigree to unlock the story of one man and his impact on the sport, as unconventional as it was, and the powerful legacy he left in the form of one nondescript runt of a horse…

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Females Dominate Headlines in New York

August 28th, 2023

Once again we have to find storylines in the face of tragedy, which has plagued the Saratoga meet on its two biggest weekends. Hopefully we can provide a diversion with several iconic names from the past, while saluting the females of the sport, both human and equine.

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Beware the Forgotten Pair in the Travers

August 21st, 2023

It is time to finally sort out the best 3-year-olds, and every one not named Geaux Rocket Ride will be in action Saturday in what promises to be one the most hotly contested Travers Stakes in years. But before you jump to any seemingly logical conclusions there may be two gems lurking below the surface who could prove to be big overlays.

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

From Camera to Canvas, Big Red Photo Lives On

August 14th, 2023

This is the story of the birth, resurrection, and odd journey of a single photograph and how it came to tie in to this year’s Saratoga meet and the Secretariat art exhibits on the 50th anniversary of Big Red’s iconic 3-year-old campaign…

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Racing Needs True Heroes More Than Ever

August 8th, 2023

This column is about the loss of a Thoroughbred and those horses who endure and provide years of enjoyment to so many racing fans. It is also about the emotional aspect of the sport that often goes beyond winning, and about the resilience and competitive spirit of the Thoroughbred…

Steve Haskin Posting Archive

Haskell and History a Big Part of Mandella’s Life

July 31st, 2023

Dick Mandella has won two Haskell Stakes 23 years apart and both experiences were totally different. This story is not just about Haskell winner Geaux Rocket Ride, it is also a look back more than two decades to Mandella’s unexpected journey into an earlier era in racing history. We also will discuss Forte’s victory in the Jim Dandy Stakes and yet another overly aggressive ride from Irad Ortiz Jr…


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