Thoroughbred Racing 2026

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New thread for a new year.

Unfortunate news from WinStar Farm Distorted Humor dies at 33.

 

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I saw that about Distorted Humor. One of my friends really loved him. Once when we went to an open house we got to feed him peppermints; Tiznow was only willing to share if one of us was feeding him the whole time.

Rest in peace, Distorted Humor, you were loved.

 

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And more sad news: Afleet Alex dies at 24

I remember watching his Preakness and being astonished at his athleticism. I remember also reading an article about the bond between him and his jockey, and a quiet moment between them after that race some time, where Alex just kind of laid his head next to the jockey’s head. Very sweet. I saw him last year, or maybe 2024, on one of the tours I’d won of Gainesway. He was so sweet to us.

Rest in peace, Alex, you did well in every way. Sniff.

 

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And more sad news
John Shirreffs, Trainer of Zenyatta Dies

 

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And more sad news
John Shirreffs, Trainer of Zenyatta Dies

I was just coming here to post that. He did such a masterful job with Zenyatta. And I still remember the hilarious video he posted where he was trying to wake up Life Is Sweet for her morning workout. I never met him but I have met Zenyatta multiple times....

Rest in peace, John, well done.

 

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I'll put this here even though it's a little out of place. I heard yesterday that Rick Capone died. He had written a couple of books about Old Friends and he was also a great photographer. Very nice guy, always very friendly to me. He had apparently been struggling the past couple of months. I remember a year or two ago inviting him on one of the farm tours I'd won in some charity auctions, but he told me he had too much trouble getting around and standing/walking. They think he died Monday night some time but he wasn't found until a wellness check was done on Thursday.

My first thought after, "oh no!" was "what happened to Jillie (his cat)?" Another Old Friends volunteer had died maybe 5 or 6 years ago and her family was going to dump her cat on the street and Rick stepped up and took her. I remember many cute pictures of her; I think she was good company for him. Michael Blowen, Old Friends founder, told me he went and got Jillie from Animal Control. Someone else told me they only give them 48 hours to get a new home so I'm so glad Michael went and got her the same day.

It's on the Old Friends website, under their social media section. Well, not about Jillie, but about Rick.

Old Friends

 

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RIP Frosted

I saw that Met Mile, it was spectacular. He was only 14.

 

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I can’t believe Frosted is gone so suddenly. He was magnificent to look at and was only getting more gorgeous with age. I don’t recall him as really being overweight, but maybe he was and that caused the laminitis… or maybe something else. I hate that disease.

 

[ilovepaydays]

At an Irish pub down the street from my apartment. I have a perfect view of the race from where I’m at.

So……the favorites are Renegade and Commandment? And they are brothers? But Renegade drew the cursed #1 post.

 

[Vagabond]

Great White flipped just before being loaded into the gate. He has been scratched, and the horses are being reloaded.

Golden Tempo made a tremendous run on the far outside from last to first.

Cherie DeVaux is the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby and must be the first trainer of either sex to be interviewed holding her infant son.

 

[ilovepaydays]

I think Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer ever to win!

 

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Very emotional win for sure. Both GT and Renegade were incredible. It’s been awhile since horses have come from so far behind. Renegade had a horrible start but managed a brilliant come from behind. Ocelli…75-1 looked outstanding and I really thought Japan would get its first win.

 

[Cachoo]

Three quarters of the way through and that horse is still at the back of the pack. What an amazing finish.

 

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I think Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer ever to win!

Yes, and only the second female trainer ever to win a triple crown race!

Very emotional win for sure. Both GT and Renegade were incredible. It’s been awhile since horses have come from so far behind. Renegade had a horrible start but managed a brilliant come from behind. Ocelli…75-1 looked outstanding and I really thought Japan would get its first win.

The last one like this maybe was Mine That Bird? I remember watching the overhead shot and he was similarly crazily behind…

Three quarters of the way through and that horse is still at the back of the pack. What an amazing finish.

Yes, because the leading horses were going WAY too fast. As soon as I saw the first quarter split I knew none of the leaders were going to win, and I was sad for So Happy. The winner had the perfect running style for the way the race set up and was well trained and got a good ride. BTW, I saw a funny video of him on line chatting with everyone outside his stall this morning. I hope he goes to the Preakness but I am not expecting him to win given the shorter distance.

But it was an exciting race! I thought at one point that 7 or 8 horses across the track were all going to hit the wire together!

 

[Sarah]

I’m so thrilled for Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo. A friend from when I was a teenager is actually close friends with DeVaux and it was so great to watch her there, celebrating with Cherie when the realized he had won. It’s amazing to see her in all the media, replays, and photos. So happy for all of them!

On a separate note, I am thankful the vet scratched Great White. I know he’s fine, but flipping is terrifying and there was no way to know if the moment if he really was fine. I wrote a rant about rearers but deleted it. I’ll just say this, rearers scare me. They are so dangerous. For everyone, including themselves.

 

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On a separate note, I am thankful the vet scratched Great White. I know he’s fine, but flipping is terrifying and there was no way to know if the moment if he really was fine. I wrote a rant about rearers but deleted it. I’ll just say this, rearers scare me. They are so dangerous. For everyone, including themselves.

ITA. As soon as they showed the replay as he was flipping over I said “scratched.” Would have been crazily irresponsible if they didn’t.

 

[Cachoo]

I’m so thrilled for Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo. A friend from when I was a teenager is actually close friends with DeVaux and it was so great to watch her there, celebrating with Cherie when the realized he had won. It’s amazing to see her in all the media, replays, and photos. So happy for all of them!

On a separate note, I am thankful the vet scratched Great White. I know he’s fine, but flipping is terrifying and there was no way to know if the moment if he really was fine. I wrote a rant about rearers but deleted it. I’ll just say this, rearers scare me. They are so dangerous. For everyone, including themselves.

Here is a look back at Cherie's day:

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

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Woohoo for Golden Tempo, winning the (faux) Belmont Stakes! Props to the trainer and jockey.

This time Golden Tempo did not have the same crazy fast pace to run at that he had in the Derby, but it did not matter. I was astonished to see him come flying. His running style reminds me of Zenyatta! Maybe he really likes a mile and a quarter and the other 3-year-olds... don't?

Glad everyone came home safe and sound!

 

[genevieve]

The camera angles as Golden Tempo made his move were terrible! They kept switching cameras at the worst time.

GT totally looked like he was just practicing until about the last 5-6 lengths when he opened up.