Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.
Doug Larson
Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – Golden Tempo Quiets Doubters in Belmont Stakes
Bloodhorse – Byron King – Two Goals, One Heartache for St. Elias Stable’s Viola
We should do three things every day of our life. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is to think, we should spend some time in thought. And, number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears.
Jim Valvano
Bloodhorse – Belmont Stakes 158 – Golden Tempo wins the 2026 Belmont Stakes.
Saratoga Special _Sean Clancy – Pure Magic
Belmont Special – June 7 Edition
TDN – Golden Tempo Continues Historic Year for Cherie DeVaux with Valiant Belmont Victory
Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – Golden Tempo Proves He ‘Belongs’ In Belmont Stakes
Cherie Devaux’s Golden Tempo prevailed in the 2026 Belmont at Saratoga Stakes by a tad over a length.
Commandment finished 2nd.
Now you may ask yourself why is Phil pointing out the obvious.
And you can tell yourself that nothing is that obvious.
Everyone overlooks the subtle differences between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,
Go back and carefully watch the replay of the 2026 Belmont CLVIII at Saratoga
Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo saves a bit of ground on the first turn, then drifts Johnny V on Commandment out on the final turn. Johnny V on Commandment moving on the outside tries to squeeze Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo and force him back into traffic.
Jose maintains his ground and keeps Commandment outside, Renegade lugs in and Jose is left with a clear path to victory for Golden Tempo.
Exactly like Jose and Cherie planned in the Paddock.
“At the half-mile pole, I was trying to hold him in there, but I could not hold him in there,” Velazquez said. “Once he turned in the lane, (Commandment) ran with him, but the other one was a little bit better.”
TDN – Tim Wilkin – Velazquez Gives Golden Tempo His Due After Belmont
Bloodhorse – Karen M. Johnson – All-Sources Handle on Belmont Stakes Dips; Card Rises
ESPN – Baxter Holmes – Salesian Sisters are divine force behind Spurs’ NBA Finals hopes
Nostalgia is a seductive liar.
George Ball
The Ringer – Danny Chau – The Knicks’ Moment Is Starting to Feel Inevitable
Phil has a question:
With Mitch Marner leading Las Vegas on their Cup quest are the 32 current NHL GMs waiting for Treliving to get a job and deal them a Conn Smythe candidate.
Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
Peter De Vries
Bloodhorse – Byron King – Nysos Rolls to Victory in Met Mile
Bloodhorse – Karen M. Johnson – Nitrogen Overwhelms Rivals in Ogden Phipps Victory
Bloodhorse – America’s Best Racing – Patrick Reed – At a Glance Preview of the 2026 Matt Winn Stakes
Bloodhorse – Byron King – Book’em Danno Rallies Past Bentornato in True North
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – Deterministic Repeats in Manhattan Stakes
Bloodhorse – Karen M. Johnson – Englishman Runs Away With Woody Stephens
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – Classic Q Caps Big Weekend for Casse in Just a Game
Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – Counting Stars Shines Brightest in Acorn
TDN – Letter to the Editor: It Ain’t Broke–No Fix Necessary
Paulick Report – Letter To The Editor: Triple Crown Spacing Debate Misses the Real Problem
No, sir. This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Maxwell Scott from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Phil has a question:
Is the Real Problem the spacing of the Triple Crown Races or the slow but sure demise of the horse racing industry.
Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – View From The Eighth Pole: Maryland Strong
Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – Knauf, New MJC Look Forward to Preakness Future
The preferred spacing is 1) early May, 2) early June, 3) July 4th, regardless of which race/which city, but the future of our sport is more important than a racetrack’s territorial claim.
Phil has a question:
With the North American thoroughbred foal crop dropping from over 30,000 to around 20,000 how can the tracks expect to fill the races they have for 3 year olds.
Will the 2027 Triple Crown dates be: Kentucky Derby – May 1, 2027, Belmont June 5, 2027 Preakness July 3, 2027.
Treasurer Dereck Davis (D) told Maryland Matters that ongoing expenses related to a “flagging” horse racing industry may have to come to an end.
“At some point …we have to get it [the horseracing industry] to sink or swim,” he said. “Can it survive? We can’t keep pouring massive amounts of dollars into this industry for the third weekend in May. And I know, I know the conversations about year-round, but that’s not really working, which is why we’re here.”
TDN – Bill Finley – Report: Legislative Panel to Take a Second Look at Purchase of Laurel
Pressbox – Bill Ordine – The Future Of The Preakness
Churchill Downs Inc. Purchases Preakness Stakes – With Preakness Purchase, CDI Hopes to Grow Event
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
Confucius
Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Attendees Give Positive Reviews to Unique Preakness
Secretariat – Steve Haskin – When Napoleon Went Solo
The only thing at full capacity were the prices. Looking at $220 parking and $22 cocktails, you would have never known this was the off-brand year for the Preakness.
…
But a mostly empty grandstand for the Preakness — on a weekend when locals had much more appealing and affordable options — might be the loudest signal yet that racing will need a shock to its way of doing things if it ever hopes to see a packed house again.
Phil has a question:
Does the Intellectual Property for the Preakness include the Running of The Urinals.
Paulick Report – Letter To The Editor: Triple Crown Spacing Debate Misses the Real Problem
No, sir. This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Maxwell Scott from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Bloodhorse – Jay Hovdey – No Easy Answers for a Triple Crown Under Siege
TDN – Napoleon Solo in Good Form Post Preakness, Will Target Haskell
Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Preakness Win a ‘Moment of Pride’ for Summers
Bloodhorse – Lopez Not Dwelling On Preakness Victory, Eyes Haskell
Bloodhorse – Napoleon Solo Stars in Preakness, Repels Iron Honor
A true man hates no one.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Phil has a question:
Have you seen a jockey take better advantage of the nuances of a quirky distance for a track than Paco Lopez did on Napoleon Solo in the 2026 Preakness CLI at Laurel Park.
This Is Horse Racing – Tom Law – The one: Napoleon Solo takes the 151st Preakness
TDN – Christina Bossinakis – Napoleon Solo Marches to Victory in Preakness 151
Music is the voice that tells us that the human race is greater than it knows.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – Napoleon Solo Turns It All Around In Preakness Stakes
You can’t train speed
Multiple
Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – Owner Gold Strikes Preakness Gold With Napoleon Solo
If I wait for the genius to come, it just doesn’t arrive.
Ian Fleming
DRF – David Grening – Napoleon Solo surges to Preakness victory
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – All Things Considered, Strong Handle for Preakness
One of the bibles of my youth was ‘Birds of the West Indies,’ by James Bond, a well-known ornithologist, and when I was casting about for a name for my protagonist I thought, ‘My God, that’s the dullest name I’ve ever heard,’ so I appropriated it. Now the dullest name in the world has become an exciting one.
Ian Fleming
Paulick Report – Explanations & Excuses: Jockeys Discuss Their Trips In 2026 Preakness Stakes
Paulick Report – Explanations & Excuses: Trainers Comment On 2026 Preakness Stakes
ESPN – Alaina Getzenberg – How Buffalo’s Beer Sabre took over the hockey world
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – Back on Turf, Warming Brings the Heat in Gallorette
Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – Fort Washington Repeats in Dinner Party Stakes
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – Strong Finish Lifts Bring the Smoke in Maryland Sprint
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – Obliteration Back to Winning Ways in Chick Lang Stakes
Paulick Report – Joe Nevills – Kentucky Oaks Redemption: My Miss Mo Wins Black-Eyed Susan
Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – My Miss Mo Finds More in Black-Eyed Susan
My Miss Mo is from the third last crop of the prematurely departed son of the prematurely departed Indian Charlie, Uncle Mo, who raced for Mike Repole and stood at Ashford in Versailles, Kentucky.
Many racing fans operate under the misconception that Indian Charlie was named after Indian Charlie, but in fact Indian Charlie was named after Indian Charlie.
Indian Charlie was named for a combined tout sheet and backstretch opinion/humor newsletter published by Ed Musselman. (This, in turn, was named for the nickname of clocker Charlie Neal, a much-loved backstretch character of partly Native American ancestry who died in 1993 and whose ashes were scattered on the Churchill Downs track near the clockers’ stand.) Irreverent and often controversial from its initial publication in 1994 on, Musselman’s newsletter was repeatedly banned from distribution at Churchill Downs with its most recent expulsion beginning in 2014, a ban that was honored by Keeneland as well. While the Churchill Downs ban was eventually lifted, Musselman and his newsletter were banned from all Keeneland properties beginning September 20, 2018. The newsletter ended print publication at the end of 2020.
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – Navajo Warrior Wins Pimlico Special in Stakes Debut
Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – Margie’s Intention Repeats Maryland Magic in DuPont
Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Peach Tie Defends Home Track in Miss Preakness
Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote very little time on the consideration of any public issue. They think that no harm will come from their neglect. They act as if it is always the business of somebody else to look after this or that. When this selfish notion is entertained by all, the commonwealth slowly begins to decay.
Thucydides
Secretariat – Steve Haskin – A Prize Greater Than Gold
Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – Paulick: Stretch-Run Musings From Historic Kentucky Derby 152
Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – Keeneland Key to DeVaux, Golden Tempo’s Success
Paulick Report – Official Kentucky Derby Chart Corrected By Equibase
Garden and Gun – Looks We Love from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Paulick Report – NBC Delivers Most-Watched Kentucky Derby On Record
DRF – Mike Welsch – Kentucky Derby 2026: Loyalty kept Jose Ortiz aboard Golden Tempo
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – Ortiz Becomes Ninth Jockey to Complete Oaks-Derby Sweep
Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – T O Elvis Win Huge Step for Japanese Racing in America
Bloodhorse – Byron King – DeVaux to Take Wait-And-See Approach with Golden Tempo
TDN – Bill Finley – The Week in Review: Yes, the One Post in the Kentucky Derby is Still a Problem
Bloodhorse – Byron King – History in the Making: Golden Tempo Upsets Derby Field
TDN – Steve Sherack – Trainer Cherie DeVaux Makes History As Golden Tempo Wins The Kentucky Derby
Phil has a question:
Why didn’t the thankfully soon to be retired idiot Donna Barton have enough brains and class to leave Jose Ortiz alone when he was obviously very emotional after his first Kentucky Derby win.
Front Office Sports – Scott Hamilton – Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z for Horse Racing’s Next Era
With A Little Help From My Friends
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – DeVaux First Woman to Garner Kentucky Derby as Trainer
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – Back on Grass, Stark Contrast Wins American Turf
Bloodhorse – Gregory A. Hall – Rhetorical Romps in Turf Classic Stakes
Does Phil have a question?
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – T O Elvis Delivers for Japan in Churchill Downs Stakes
TDN – Alan Carrasso – Volatile’s T O Elvis Makes It ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ For Churchill Downs S. Rivals
Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Crude Velocity Overpowers Englishman in Pat Day Mile
Bloodhorse – Alicia Hughes – Classic Q Makes the Grade in Distaff Turf Mile
Bloodhorse – Curlin Perseveres to Sire First Kentucky Derby Winner
Bloodhorse – Deterministic Goes Back to Back in Fort Marcy
Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – Yellow Card Surges Late to Win Twin Spires Turf Sprint
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – R Disaster Goes Gate to Wire in Derby City Distaff
Paulick Report – Kentucky Derby Day Wagering Down Slightly; Derby Week Handle Up 3 Percent
Bloodhorse – Gregory A. Hall – Records Fall, but Slight Decline in Derby Day Wagering
Bloodhorse – Byron King – Record Handle, Modest Attendance Gain on KY Oaks Day
Arab states continue to send the Palestinians gifts of extravagant rhetoric and countless Arab League resolutions – but not much cash.
Elliott Abrams
Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – Always a Runner Shines in First Primetime Kentucky Oaks
TDN –On Time Girl In Plenty Of Time For Eight Belles Win
TDN – Shred The Gnar Takes La Troienne, Becomes The Newest Grade I Winner For Into Mischief
Bloodhorse – Eric MItchell – Imaginationthelady Wins Close Four-Way Edgewood Finish
Bloodhorse – Alicia Hughes – Shred the Gnar Scores in the La Troienne
Bloodhorse – Kathynmarissa Overcomes Poor Start to Take Modesty
Bloodhorse – Byron King – Corporate Power Survives Inquiry to Capture Alysheba
Bloodhorse – Lizzy Madden – On Time Girl Gets Back On Track in Eight Belles
Bloodhorse – No Show Sammy Jo Succeeds in Sheepshead Bay
Bloodhorse – San Collins – Moon Spun Pulls Unbridled Sidney Upset, Shisospicy Last
Phil M. Stockmen