Secretariat.com

This is the first of a series of columns to be posted periodically through the start of Derby Rankings in mid-January. During that time let’s all play bloodstock agent and see if we can uncover some live sleepers for next year’s Kentucky Derby before they become well-known. They would be mostly horses who are still maidens, but left a big impression in defeat. Or maiden winners that are still flying under the radar. I will look for an interesting back story regarding each horse to bring them to life so people can follow them right from the beginning. If anyone sees a horse, male or female, who fits that bill you can email me at Sehaskin@aol.com and I will check them out. Hope you enjoy this new series…

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11 it is only appropriate to reprint from Bloodhorse.com my account of the events from a racing perspective following one of the most tragic days in American history, as well as adding new material pertaining to the 2001 Breeders’ Cup…

Secretariat, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Buckpasser, Spectacular Bid, John Henry, Whirlaway, Kelso, Native Dancer, Round Table, Gallant Fox, Omaha, Nashua, Cigar. They all raced in stakes at Arlington Park. Several set track and world records there, one inaugurated a new and important race named the Arlington Million, and on two occasions, Secretariat and Cigar made special appearances to run in races carded especially for them at the height of their popularity…

Once again, Essential Quality proved he is a winning machine, as he overcame a dawdling pace and a blistering final quarter to outrun the top-class Midnight Bourbon in the Travers Stakes…

Who is going to win Saturday’s Travers? That’s easy, Essential Quality, right? Well, perhaps it’s not quite that cut and dry. Yes, he looks like the logical choice, but sometimes you just let your heart dictate your pick and run with it for better or worse…

After a six-year hiatus, Colonial Downs in Virginia reopened its gates three years ago after being purchased by a group of owners under the name of the Colonial Downs Group. On August 30, the track will host a special Secretariat Colonial Downs Day at the Races. When looking at the brief history of Colonial Downs, one can turn to its signature race, the Virginia Derby, to find some of the highlights of the track’s early days. But the one race that holds the most historical significance actually was an allowance race held on October 11, 1998. Without that race, one of the greatest moments in Breeders’ Cup history likely would have never happened…

We all marvel at the brilliance of Knicks Go and his recent victory in the Whitney, but few have talked about his sire Paynter, whose courage captured the hearts of a nation back in 2012. This is his story…

This column marks the convergence of three of my favorite horses and all-time greats, and the auction of memorabilia associated with them. First, credit must be given to the late, great artist Richard Stone Reeves who aptly titled his fine art print depicting Kelso, Forego, and John Henry “Profiles of Courage.” Its natural pairing with the three track programs found in the Secretariat.com archives sparked this trio of tales waiting to be told. I am not entirely sure if the column inspired the auction or visa versa, but either way I hope our readers and the lucky winning bidder will enjoy this small piece of racing history surrounding these racing legends, and arguably their most courageous performances.

Bernardini, who made nine shuttle trips to Australia, died at age 18 last week just as he was emerging as the hottest young broodmare sire in the country, having sired the dams of Maxfield, Catholic Boy, Serengeti Empress, Dunbar Road and a number other top-class runners. As a racehorse, he had to constantly “wow” people to remove himself from the shadow of Barbaro, which he accomplished with a series of spectacular victories, the most important, in my opinion, being the Jim Dandy Stakes, which catapulted him to the threshold of greatness…

There are so many elements that made up this year’s Haskell Invitational, including the hot topic of the Monmouth whip rule. You won’t find much about that here. This is about the horses involved, especially one who has gotten overlooked…