JC / Railbird

Horses Archive

The Way to the Derby

Afleet Alex follows Smarty Jones’ path through Arkansas. (The Capital)

Posted in Horses on November 21, 2004

Smarty SOTY, not HOTY

“Smarty may not even be the best horse to race in America this year — that honor will almost certainly go to Ghostzapper, who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in record time. But have you ever heard of Ghostzapper? I love racing, and I have no illusions about the sport ever being saved by a Triple Crown winner. It’s a boutique pastime that gets its moment in the sun every spring. For that reason, horses like Ghostzapper, with the kind of speed that comes along once in a generation, deserve to be the true champions. But horses with the crossover appeal of Smarty Jones are rare, as well. That’s why he’s my Sportsman of the Year,” writes Mark Beech. (Sports Illustrated)

Posted in Horses on November 19, 2004

Just An Average Horse

The legendary 18th century racehorse Eclipse was average, says a British scientist. “In that very averageness lay the secret of his greatness.” (New York Times)

Posted in Horses on November 16, 2004