Sean Clancy

As you may have guessed, The Saratoga Special has consumed some of my attention, especially on this blog. A few updates on the racing front. Jhirsch finished seventh at Saratoga Sunday. A disappointing run and we’re not exactly sure why. We’ll regroup. Koru finished seventh at Colonial Downs and was … Read More

Charlie Fellowes paused from packing for a trip to Portugal. The British-based trainer fired up At the Races from his sitting room near Newmarket to watch Luther run in the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga Friday.  Like watching a drivers’ ed video … Read More

Are you going to be jockeys? “Yes. Yes. Maybe.” That’s how the three young riders answered the first question Tuesday morning.  I can’t remember which one said maybe. Doesn’t matter.  Cassie Lively, Eric Vergara and Sofia Villacres arrived in Saratoga Monday night. Part of the annual young riders’ trip sponsored … Read More

Stewart and Lilibeth Elliott pulled their son’s 2010 Toyota Tundra into a little gas station off the highway last Thursday. Somewhere near the New York border, on their way from Kentucky to Saratoga, they cued the third race on the phone and watched the Rick Violette Stakes.   “People were looking … Read More

Programs People bring us stuff. A lot of stuff.  A dart board. Coffee cake. Brownies. Pennyrile from West Sixth. A Glenn DiSanto pin. A Rick Violette webbing. A win picture of Au Point in the 1983 Dwyer. Paintings of Devil His Due and Man o’ War. A cardboard sign that … Read More

That’s about the way to describe yesterday’s A. P. Smithwick. Well, certainly from Awakened’s point of view. Now, if you’re involved with Historic Heart, Proven Innocent…it’s a different story. As for Awakened, he broke off tepidly, trailed, tried to make a little run and wound up sixth. No cheer. No … Read More

Seven weeks…49 days…1,176 hours…70,560 minutes…4,233,600 seconds. Yes, we’ve been counting. Awakened returns today for the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick at Saratoga. The 2-1 favorite takes on seven rivals in the $150,000 stakes.   The 8-year-old made his seasonal reappearance in the Beverly R. Steinman at Saratoga during the Belmont … Read More

Wayne Cutler always asks. And he always asks his dad and his brother. Just a wink, a nod, a glance to the sky. A little help, boys. Thursday, Cutler switched it up.  The 64-year-old looked up like he always does as the horses approached the gate for the feature but … Read More

Lorraine produced her fourth second in her sixth start for Riverdee Stable and Danielle Hodsdon at Colonial Downs Saturday. Our French-bred filly broke sharply, angled, cleared, stalked, kicked, opened…and got nailed. A half-length. She earned $14,000 for the effort. The 4-year-old filly relishes distance and performed at her best while … Read More