The eyes of Thoroughbred racing fans and officials will likely be turning to the east – way to the east – as the 2009 Triple Crown season opens. The reason? Two of 2008’s major 2-year-old winners – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Midshipman and double New York winner Vineyard Haven – will be preparing...

Among the many laments that followed the announcement of Big Brown’s not-quite-surprising, injury-induced retirement on Monday was the notion that he is now denied the opportunity to establish himself as a “great horse.” Indeed, that term was being applied, however rapturously, last spring, before the...

From the Maryland Jockey Club Baltimore Nearly 40 hours after Big Brown delivered a memorable 5 ¼ length victory in the $1 million Preakness Stakes, the dual classic winner left the Pimlico stakes barn and headed to New York for a date with destiny as the son of Boundary will attempt to become the first...

Shortly after Big Brown brought the house down at Pimlico on Saturday a one-work email from a friend arrived. It said: Wow! It was most assuredly a performance rich in the wow factor and Big Brown is three weeks and 12 furlongs from the immortality that accompanies a Triple Crown. He is also three week...

From the Maryland Jockey Club Baltimore Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito drove into Pimlico Wednesday morning around 9 a.m., several hours before the scheduled van arrival of his 19th Preakness starter, Stevil. He brought with him a message about the burgeoning issue of synthetic surfaces vs. the traditional...