Barn Buddies

Given a large enough shedrow, it’s not uncommon to come across a racehorse who’s a little less self-assured than the rest. Sometimes they’re just a nervous personality; sometimes they have a particular trigger that makes them uneasy, like a recent move or a neighbor they can’t stand. Whatever the reason, these types often can be […]

As any follower of this series knows, it’s not uncommon (but is nonetheless delightful) for a racing barn to have a barn cat or two on duty. Among those of us who are particularly drawn to a good working cat though, trainer Kelsey Danner is social media famous. She doesn’t just have one; she has […]

With Labor Day weekend come and gone, the Saratoga race meet is over for another year. The barns are probably already a little emptier, the grandstand is mostly quiet, and the traffic on Broadway is finally lighter. However, just because the tourists and racegoers are gone, that doesn’t mean the work of Upset is done. […]

With horses comes grain. With grain comes mice and rats. It’s a universal truth battled by horsemen in many ways through the years, from sturdy bins to cats to a Jack Russell Terrier named George.  Trainer Amira Chichakly has a different solution. They require an oversized plastic cage, and often confuse her toddler’s toys for […]

Despite his obvious popularity, I almost failed to notice Johnny Depp both times I walked by the barn at Saratoga. Once he was sitting casually in a chair, ruminating over a cup of coffee with Conor Foley. The other time he was brooding under a tree in that way only the most handsome can brood, […]

If you’re a horse racing type with a Facebook account, you’ve probably seen the video. An alligator is seen ambling across the dirt path that goes through the infield at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. A nearby horse is understandably unsure what to make of the reptile, ultimately deciding to spin around as the handler […]