Sean Clancy

Settling back into a routine in Virginia while our horses travel to Kentucky. Fresh off a hurdle win at Colonial Downs, Cyber Ninja returns to the flat for a $200,000 allowance race at Kentucky Downs this afternoon. We toyed with the $1 million Bowling Green Gold Cup going 2 1/16 … Read More

One final day at Saratoga before we get on the road. Another season past, another year older. The Saratoga Special finished its 25th season of racing coverage. A lot of words, a lot of races in those 25 years. We’re honored to cover the season, the sport. Vintage Year ran … Read More

Riverdee welcomed the return of the Races at Fair Hill to the schedule with two wins, a second and a third over the six-race card. Thanks to everyone who contributed to get the Cecil County mainstay back on the calendar. I’m looking forward to the funnel cake in the spring. … Read More

Fair Hill returns. Six races. And Riverdee returns. Four runners. The Races at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory rolls back into action at the venerable Cecil County oval. Revamped, refurbished and reimagined, the races commence for the first time since 2019. No jumping this time around – baby steps, baby … Read More

You guessed it. It’s that time of year. With six cards of racing and one final edition of The Special to go, it’s time for the annual “I’ll miss, I won’t miss.” You know the one, you know the feeling. The ecstasy of Saratoga and the agony of Saratoga. The … Read More

The Saratoga Special. Year 24. No. 20. August 31, 2024.  Arthur’s Ride and Neil Poznansky made the cover before the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Quietside led a Spinaway preview. Millie Girl featured in a Flower Bowl preview. Miuccia starred in a Prioress preview. West Hollywood won the Saranac. Zulu Kingdom … Read More

Mortal Sin picked up 10th winner of the year for Riverdee with a game score at Delaware Park Wednesday. Trained by Danielle Hodsdon, the son of Solomini switched back to the dirt after rain forced the race to come off the grass, found a comfortable spot, took over leaving the … Read More

Time to regroup after a disappointing week. Roja Redemption did far too much for far too long and wound up third in the Michael G. Walsh Memorial Novice Stakes Wednesday. The 5-year-old suffered from heat issues immediately after the race. Thank you to the NYRA vets and their team, he … Read More

Here’s today’s Cup of Coffee from The Saratoga Special. Have horse, will travel  “Where he sends horses, I go.” That’s about as simple as Chris Connett can make it on his role as Charlie Appleby’s traveling assistant. The 41-year-old ventured to Saratoga with Godolphin’s El Cordobes and Nations Pride for … Read More

Old valets. Young valets. American valets. European valets. An Australian valet. Champion trainers. Claiming trainers. Assistant trainers. Jockeys. Retired jockeys. Jockey’s kids. A two-time champion steeplechase jockey. A mailman. Turf writers from five, maybe six decades. Broadcasters. A daughter. A son. A wife. In laws. An old white-cap friend from … Read More