Track Talk

Video Blog: Why Geld A Racehorse?

tfinley — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:55:47 +0000

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Let’s talk about why we geld a horse. Typically, we’re looking to improve their results on the racetrack by helping them focus on athletic performance or by fixing medical issues that may be bothering them. We know we’re giving up stallion services at some future point, but the stallion market is extremely selective these days and you’re going to need a perfect pedigree or some really outstanding performances to make a profit by sending a horse to stud.

Clif Hickok: The Elements of Value, Luck, and Hard Work in Racing

chickok — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:50:10 +0000

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I attended the Ocala sales (OBS) twice this year. If you’ve never attended a horse sale, especially a 2-year-old in training sale, you've missed one of the great spectacles in sports. It’s the horse lover’s version of the NFL draft that is ongoing as I write this. Teams and highly-dedicated individuals are all looking for the future stars, often with success, more often not. Just the atmosphere alone makes it worth attending, but the possibilities and probabilities are especially what I enjoy. Try visiting the Keeneland sales or Ocala when you can. Great comradery, very relaxed and unpretentious considering the money being infused.

Get To Know Tom Albertrani

EFinley — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:04:26 +0000

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Tom Albertrani trains for West Point Thoroughbreds in New York and Florida. His well-rounded career includes a stint as a jockey, time spent as an assistant to Mark Casse and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and a period in Dubai as Godolphin Racing’s top assistant to Saeed Bin Suroor.

Top horses he was involved with as an assistant included Theatrical and Cigar, Street Cry, Fantastic Light, and Daylami.

Albertrani returned to New York full time in 2003 and opened a public racing stable in 2005. In 2006, the regally bred-Bernardini brought him into the national spotlight, winning five consecutive stakes including the Preakness and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Albertrani has continued his success across the nation, and has trained stakes winners King Congie and Belle of the Hall for the black and gold. Here, we get to know him a little better.

Sales Blog: Sharp Humor colt Purchased for Wayne Catalano's Arlington-Based Program

EFinley — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:00:47 +0000

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Follow the WPT buying team throughout the two-year-old sales. The team's spent time in California and Florida since early March looking to acquire juveniles to campaign under the black and gold silks. Terry Finley leads the buying team and loves the class we've assembled thus far. Did you know WPT has purchased more grade one winners from the 2-year-old in training sales than any other owner in the country?

Video: How WPT Selects Racehorses at the Sales

tfinley — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:57:31 +0000

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Watch the video below and learn how my team and I select horses at world class select sales for syndication to our Partners. We use technology to help identify the best possible prospects to run under the black and gold silks. Hear from Partners about their experiences, and watch some memorable races. I can watch Awesome Gem’s replays over and over. He’s our Grade One winner and earner of over $2.7 million.

Terry's Video Blog: West Point Partners and Future Education

tfinley — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:54:13 +0000

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Today I’m talking about the West Point Partner. Our Partners come to us with all different styles, personalities, and backgrounds, but some consistent traits stay the same between us. Trust is key; our Partners know we’re always going to do what’s best for their horse. That’s a pledge that will never be broken from us – put the horse first. Another is that we’re looking out for your financial interests. Our Partners have different levels of experience and different goals and objectives, and Partner education is something we’re committed to.

Conveying The Thrills and Excitement of Thoroughbred Racehorse Ownership

DLenert — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:57:17 +0000

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The Kentucky Derby prep trail always generates interest among those thinking about joining the ranks of ownership.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the best way to convey to people how truly thrilling and exciting owning a racehorse can be. If you’re looking into joining a partnership, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see the same words on any company’s marketing materials - “Experience the thrills and excitement of your horse...” running down the stretch, standing in the winner’s circle, walking through the paddock, etc.

Get To Know Craig Dollase: Training Philosophy, Awesome Gem, Favorite California Restaurants

EFinley — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:38:06 +0000

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Craig Dollase is our main trainer on the West Coast and conditions stable star Awesome Gem. We sat down with the lifelong horseman to find out the scoop on his favorite runners, his training philosophy, the best place to find a good steak in Southern California - and, of course, his 2012 campaign plans for the Gem.

Craig heads to the Barretts 2-Year-Old in Training Sale with Terry and the rest of the WPT buying team next week. He’ll train any purchases we make out there.

Video Blog: The Role of Jockey Agents

tfinley — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:10:23 +0000

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Let’s tackle the jockey agent/trainer relationship, one of the most complex interactions in the sport of kings. There are a lot of politics involved, but we all know jockeys and the guys who manage their riding assignments are vital to our success. I try my best to stay out of the jockey selection process as a racing manager; for the most part, we let our trainers take care of booking riders for our horses. If you have any questions about why or how a particular rider ends up on a particular horse of ours, shoot me an email.

Terry

How Does WPT Racing Partnership Chose Trainers?

JLifson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:34:07 +0000

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Stop by a racetrack. Stroll past a barn. Peer down the shed row past the horses nibbling on hay. Look into the office. See that lady on the phone, talking with one of the owners about an upcoming race for the next budding star? That gentleman marking up charts that will determine each horse’s workout activity for the following morning? The person leaving the office, entering a stall, and feeling a filly’s legs to see if the vet needs to be called? That’s the trainer. In horse racing, you need one.

Terry on the WPT Pricing Model

tfinley — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:47:27 +0000

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In this blog, I discuss the WPT pricing model, explaining the markup process and breaking down acquisition costs (including expenses like vetwork and heart scans). Did you know each WPT partnership includes pre-funded training fees through the end of the runner’s 2-year-old year? Did you know we register with the SEC in every state our investors reside in? If you have any questions, contact us and we can walk you through the model in detail.

Partner Fred Odell: Racing Brought My Family Together

EFinley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:49:18 +0000

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Fred Odell became a Partner with West Point Thoroughbreds last summer. A financial advisor from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, he remarked, “sometimes that can be a stressful job, but when I’m around the horses I’m completely relaxed.”

Here, WPT learns more about the man and how thoroughbred racing brought his family together.

Get To Know WPT's Shannon Castagnola

EFinley — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:05:21 +0000

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Shannon Castagnola joined the West Point team in 2008 as a Midwest Associate and Director of Client Relations. A lifelong horselover and Kentucky native, she brings natural enthusiasm for the sport and a strong background in equine sales gained through more than a decade with Taylor Made Farm to her job. Here she details her background, takes us through a typical “day in the office,” and talks about the West Point runners she loves.

Terry's Video Blog: Relationship Between Owner and Trainer

tfinley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:40:00 +0000

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Terry dives into the relationship between owner and trainer, one built on trust and confidence. WPT teams with trainers with proven records of success that have strong communication skills. Our trainers realize they’re working with a partnership, a group of people that have pooled their money together with the hope of achieving racing success.

Horse Racing: It's a Family Affair

DFinley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:34:50 +0000

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Imagine the roar of the crowd as your horse turns down the lane... the jockey jostles into position... the runner pushes through to finish a head in front... then you and your family are standing side-by-side in the winner’s circle!

If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience the thrill of horse racing then you’re already familiar with the adrenaline rush it gives you. Well, imagine the thrill of knowing that you own the winning horse with your friends, family, or associates.

Terry's Friday and Saturday South Africa Blogs, Cool Photos

tfinley — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:20:33 +0000

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January 28th:

Last full day here. Went to Kenilworth Race Course. It’s all turf racing and the horses run really hard.

There’s no Lasix or Bute allowed on raceday. None, nada. The people are very proud of that fact. We could do the same in America if we had the willpower to get it done. Some say running without Lasix is animal abuse. Huh? Take a look at the rest of the world.

The average racehorse in South Africa makes about 25 starts in his career- more than twice as many in the States.

Video Blog: What The Horses Tell Us

tfinley — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:45:51 +0000

Since horses cannot verbally talk to us, a Thoroughbred racing manager relies on signals, cues and messages horses send to people who are around them every day. In this video, I discuss how the WPT team uses information collected about a horse, their personalities, and physical characteristics to manage racehorses.

A Few Minutes With WPT's Tommy Bellhouse

EFinley — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:15:42 +0000

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Tom Bellhouse “Tommy B” is West Point Thoroughbreds’ Executive Vice President of Service and East Coast Operations. His primary primary responsibilities are to coordinate WPT operations throughout the East, including the New York, Mid-Atlantic, and Florida Circuits. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego with a BS in Business Administration and currently resides in Saratoga Springs, NY. Prior to joining WPT as a staff member in 2008, he spent nine years in the automotive industry as a Sales Director for a division of Chrysler. He has been involved in partnerships with us since 2005.

Terry's Thoughts on Eclipse Awards and Upcoming Trip to South Africa

tfinley — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:49:11 +0000

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Eclipse Awards Thoughts
I attended the Eclipse Awards earlier this week - a nice event that brings everybody together to celebrate the achievements of the previous year. Our business is about accomplishing things and winning so it’s a great night to take a step back and recognize what everyone has done. It’s a night for winners.

West Point has connections to several of this year’s winners and nominees. We’ve had horses with Bill Mott, who won outstanding trainer, and Todd Pletcher, who was nominated in that category as well. We were pleased to see our good friend Claire Novak pick up her first media Eclipse Award, and we had another friend, Bob Mayberger, who won the award for outstanding photograph of the year.

The Role of the Racing Manager in a Thoroughbred Partnership

tfinley — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:05:44 +0000

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Whether you’re a current Partner or thinking about owning a Thoroughbred racehorse in a partnership, you’ve probably asked yourself a few questions like: How are decisions made regarding my horse? How are trainers chosen? What goes into race selection?

Check out this introduction to a series of video blog posts about managing racehorses and the role of the racing manager. We'll publish these in the coming months to address questions my team and I are asked by our Partners and prospective clients. We’ll also address things that are not often asked, but will give insight about different components of racing management.

Why Some Racing Syndicates Don’t Offer Claiming Partnerships

TBellhouse — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:52 +0000

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Back in March of 2011, I wrote an article discussing why a horse would drop into the claiming ranks (and that there is no shame in running your horse in a claimer). With the recent rise in purses at New York tracks and the subsequent renewed interest in acquiring horses via the claim box (coupled with the claim of my beloved namesake “Bellhouse” as well as quite a few other West Point Thoroughbreds favorites over 2011), I thought it was the perfect time to expand upon our original discussion.

Four Pros and Cons of Owning With a Racing Partnership

cirving — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:28:46 +0000

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Partnerships allow thousands of people to get involved in owning a racehorse for a fraction of the cost of doing it on their own. I’d love to tell you there’s not a single drawback to going this route, but it’s true that racing partnerships aren’t for everyone. The question is not “are partnerships the best way to own a racehorse?” The real question is: “is a partnership the best way for me to have the greatest ownership experience?” In this post I’m going to outline a few pros and cons of owning with West Point Thoroughbreds. It is up to you to assess whether the positives outweigh the negatives. Of course, I hope they do for you!

A New Years Blog That Struck Me

tfinley — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:37:57 +0000

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I’m getting the New Year off to a great start here in New Jersey, buckling back down to work after both kids were home for the holidays. The first week of 2012 offers a chance to think about how to make this year better than the last one, and you can actually pick up some great tips when you weed through all the motivational and inspirational writing out there.

War Horse: The Incredible Bond Between Man and Horse

tfinley — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:30:46 +0000

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Watched War Horse with Debbie the other night. Can neither confirm nor deny the rumor, but might have gotten a little emotional at parts.

A lot of buzz led up to this movie’s release, and with good reason. It really gives you an appreciation of the magnificence and beauty of the horse. The story explores a bond that develops between a Thoroughbred and the young boy who understands how to connect with him.

Three Reasons to Own a New York Bred Racehorse in 2012 with a Racing Partnership

EFinley — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:23:50 +0000

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The New York-bred program is positioning itself as arguably the best state-bred racing program in the industry today. Racing on the New York Racing Association’s circuit (Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga) has been reinvigorated by the income received from the newly-opened VLT casino at Aqueduct. Breeders are sending better and better mares to the Empire State. Promising young stallions like Here Comes Ben and Justenuffhumor are heading to farms there at just the right time.

What Does West Point Thoroughbreds Do With Retired Racehorses?

SCastagnola — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:51:25 +0000

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When we speak with prospective owners, it’s pretty clear that they come to us loving Thoroughbred racing and appreciating the horse itself. There is a deep respect for the sheer beauty and an awe of the racehorse as an athlete. In discussing ownership, our conversations inevitably turn to “What happens to horses when they can no longer race?”

Some Industry Sites I Think You'll Enjoy

tfinley — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:33:47 +0000

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I wanted to share with you some industry websites that I enjoy looking at on a regular basis. Here are a few favorites - from trade publications to individual voices. Leave some suggestions for me if you don’t mind. I love to read about our industry and would love to hear your thoughts.

The Jersey Boy Heads South...My Trip to Camden, SC

tfinley — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:46:58 +0000

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I was down in Camden, South Carolina last weekend to see the babies and a few older horses at Kip Elser’s Kirkwood Stables. Such a neat, neat town and training center. Camden is centered around horses. The landscape is awesome and you can tell the horses think they’re in heaven. We had a group of Partners down as well, and I think they really enjoyed themselves. It was a bit nippy on Saturday morning, but the horses couldn’t have looked better, and we shared many laughs.

How Much Does It Cost to Own A Racehorse With A Thoroughbred Partnership?

JCooper — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:45:11 +0000

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When prospective clients talk to me about investing in a racehorse, they always want to know how much it costs.

Be prepared to spend about $10,000 to get started with a reputable outfit. In the case of West Point Thoroughbreds, that typically equates to 5% position in one horse. On average, a new client will spend around $20,000 to $25,000 with us in the first year. Now let’s roll up our sleeves and dig a bit deeper into syndicate pricing and how it works.

You Always Remember Your First Time....In The Winner's Circle

chickok — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:51:41 +0000

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I've been in a Thanksgiving-induced reflective mood over the holiday weekend, thinking of the past, present and future concurrently. Old friends, opportunities gained and lost, past decisions made and new ones yet to be made... lots of stuff.

With weighty thoughts bouncing around in my head, I gravitated to something more enjoyable to ponder - my first time!

What is A Thoroughbred Racing Partnership & How Does It Work?

NUry — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:47:53 +0000

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THOROUGHBRED RACING PARTNERSHIPS: AN OVERVIEW

Thanks to the creation of racing partnerships, Thoroughbred ownership is no longer restricted to elite members of society. A partnership (or “syndicate”) is an easy and affordable way for both new and experienced owners to get involved with the Sport of Kings. These groups provide a great opportunity to experience all the thrills of horse racing at a fraction of the cost when you join a syndicate.

Get To Know The West Point Team

tfinley — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:20:02 +0000

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MOUNT LAUREL, NJ - Here at West Point Thoroughbreds, racing is a passion for each member of our team - and there are some pretty good stories about how everyone who works for us came to love this sport.

We’re rolling out a new bio section on the website, and we hope you get a chance to become familiar with each team member through the new profiles they wrote about themselves. We’ve included interesting facts you may not know - some “outside the box” information, if you will.

Should I Buy A Yearling or a 2 Year Old With A Thoroughbred Partnership?

JLifson — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:06:37 +0000

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Let’s start with the simple truth here, before this headline raises your blood pressure to the point of “Call the ambulance and bring my bathrobe and slippers to the emergency room.” At West Point, we buy both yearlings and 2-year-olds, and we’re comfortable offering both at various times of the year to our customers. But there has to be a difference, right? And there have to be pros and cons to owning a piece of a yearling versus a 2-year-old in a racing partnership. There are. And I’m going to spell them out and let the jury - you and other potential racehorse owners - deliberate.

A Few Minutes With WPT Trainer Kip Elser

EFinley — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:39:37 +0000

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Kip Elser does what he loves to do for a living. He has been intimately involved in various components of the Thoroughbred racing business since the late 1970s. A former steeplechase rider, he expanded his resume to include horse breaking and training and sales preparation, and has enjoyed many years as a leading sales consignor while maintaining his operations at Kirkwood Stables out of the Springdale Race Course in Camden, SC.

Who's Horse of The Year? We Should Decide!

tfinley — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:40:34 +0000

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MOUNT LAUREL, NJ. – When the Breeders’ Cup is over, our focus turns to Eclipse Awards and the battle for Horse of the Year. We usually rely on the season finale to clarify year-end honors, but as many have written, the picture seems to be more muddled than ever coming out of this year’s World Championships.

West Point Team Member Breeders' Cup Handicapping

EFinley — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:05:09 +0000

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The West Point team joined together and took a crack at handicapping each of the Breeders’ Cup 2011 races. Some races are handicapped in more detail than others, but we thought you’d enjoyed the insight from each member of our team. You can view our bios by clicking here. Will Tom Bellhouse (and no the four-legged Bellhouse was not entered in the Breeders’ Cup) hit the tri in the Filly & Mare Turf? Will the three-year-old To Honor and Serve take the Classic for Bill Mott as predicted by Terry Finley?

Breeders' Cup is Rapidly Approaching

tfinley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:13:29 +0000

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The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are right around the corner, and everyone is anticipating the season’s grand finale to be run at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4-5. It’s a fun time of year for us since a lot of the West Point Partners gather for a chance to see the best horses in the sport, both in actual competition and during morning training in the final days leading up to the big event.

The Breeders’ Cup is every racing fan’s dream - a barrage of phenomenal talent. The top owners, trainers, and jockeys come into town to take a shot at two days of high-stakes competition. European runners ship in from overseas. North America’s top Thoroughbreds converge. Everywhere you turn, there are horses you’ve followed and come to respect all season.

A Neat Profile of Graham Motion's Operation

tfinley — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:26:35 +0000

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We put a few horses with Graham Motion last year and think very highly of him and his team. One thing’s for sure, we’re looking forward to continuing a successful relationship with the English native in the years to come.

He runs a first-rate operation out at Fair Hill in Elkton, Md., and the slower-paced style of training away from the racetrack can be very beneficial to a good number of horses.

Skydiving and Horse Racing go Hand-in-Hand

tfinley — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:30:07 +0000

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John Williams hails from Connecticut. He and his wife Cyndee have been West Point clients for several years. This August at Saratoga, as we walked out of the winners circle after a win with Sunrise Smarty, he asked if I had ever skydived. I told him I'd had nine jumps during my days as an Army Officer. With a big smirk on his face, John said, "I'm gonna skydive this fall - I'll send you photos."

I've been trying to do more blogging lately, so I sent John a note to ask if I could blog about the past year of his life. About twenty minutes later he sent me the following:

Pictures Are Worth A Thousand Words in the Racehorse Industry

tfinley — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:56:59 +0000

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We all know the visuals we see and experience around the horses and visiting the track are part of racing's magic.

Here's a photo gallery that will knock your socks off. Barbara Livingston - a friend of West Point for many years - is one of the world's leading equine photographers. In this gallery, she chronicles a month at Saratoga in photos. Took me five minutes to view - and it's really intriguing.

A Day in the Life of Preakness Winning Trainer Dale Romans

tfinley — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:07:04 +0000

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West Point’s newest feature tracks members of the West Point team through their description of an ordinary - or not so ordinary - “Day in the Life.” This month, trainer Dale “Big D” Romans takes us through his Wednesday, September 14th in Louisville, Lexington, and places in-between.

Leaving Ireland with Two Very Nice Horses

tfinley — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:25:49 +0000

DUBLIN, IRELAND - We finished up with two purchases Tuesday at the sale. In addition to the filly, bought a nice colt by Shirocco at the end of day one for 35,000 Euros. Solid and athletic, this dude is out of a Fusaichi Pegasus Mare.

Ireland Day 2: WPT Purchases A Filly at Goff's

tfinley — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:26:43 +0000

DUBLIN, IRELAND - I worked hard yesterday at the sale, coming up with a shortlist. We ended up vetting fifteen horses for today’s session and already picked one up this morning.

Day 1 In Ireland

tfinley — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:02:40 +0000

DUBLIN, IRELAND - I flew into Dublin this morning after flights from So

Headed to the Emerald Isle This Weekend

tfinley — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:50:27 +0000

There’s an old Irish proverb that says “Sell the cow, sell the sheep, but never be without the horse.” I heartily concur, although I’d probably amend thousands of years of tradition to say “never be without a good racehorse.” Fortunately a large portion of Ireland would agree with me on that one.

Jeff Lifson Purchases Hip 1256 at Keeneland For WPT

JLifson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:20:35 +0000

EVP Jeff Lifson will be sharing his thoughts from the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale as he seeks to acquire a racehorse to run un

A New Phase for the Yearlings and Driving a Maserati

tfinley — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:25:26 +0000

LEXINGTON, KY - After we headed down to the barn to snap some pictures on Wednesday, our three yearling purchases from the Keeneland September Sale were shipped off to a new phase of life.

Summer Meets Wrap Up, Why Partnerships Are Ideal for Some Investors

tfinley — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:10:29 +0000

We’re coming into a new season in the Thoroughbred world as the main summer meets have wound down and our focus shifts to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

It’s a busy time of year for us as our team flies to Lexington. We look at a lot of young horses, and our bloodstock agents have already been going to the farms and picking prospects for us to focus on when the sale gets started. Traditionally, we haven’t bought many horses out of this sale, but Justwhistledixie was a success for us and we have an eye on several this season, scouting out the best athletes for our class of 2012. It’s exciting because of the limitless potential, and also because the horses we buy wind up equalling opportunities for existing and new partners.

Looking Ahead To The Future

tfinley — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:58:00 +0000

It was a tough opening weekend for West Point at the Spa. We enjoyed Friday, which was opening day, and were in high anticipation of the weekend. Tom Albertrani told me three or four times how good Dominant Jeannes was training, and we’d given him plenty of time since his last race at Belmont Park at the beginning of June. He seems to have found a new home on the turf, so everyone was excited to see him run Saturday.

Thoughts on the Industry's Medication Issue

tfinley — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:37:21 +0000

Last Thursday, the Breeders’ Cup made headlines by announcing a directive that will lead to the ban of all race day medications at the event by 2013. As a start, horses entered in the five Breeders’ Cup races for juveniles in 2012 will be prohibited from using Lasix, the anti-bleeder diuretic, on race day - and by 2012, all race day drugs will be banned from the Breeders’ Cup.

Saratoga or Del Mar...or Both

tfinley — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:16:51 +0000

We’ve been in upstate New York at Saratoga for the past two weeks now, gearing up for the season that opens July 22. This meet offers us a chance to move to a fresh location and enjoy being truly immersed in the racing culture. For the next two months, our offices will be on the backside and frontside at Saratoga Race Course, in the sales grounds and in the paddock - and, of course, in the winner’s circle. We’re also committed to maintaining a strong presence on the West Coast, so our team in Southern California is gearing up for the season at Del Mar, which opens July 20.

Terry's Notes: Summer is Coming

tfinley — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:20:48 +0000

Summer is approaching rapidly. That means the start of the premier summer meets on both coasts.

It's Derby Week and Everyone Has a Story

tfinley — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:20:24 +0000

Greetings from Churchill Downs. I’ve been here since Tuesday. My observations? A lot of Derby entrant owners having a good time, relishing and cherishing the experience they are having as competitors in the Kentucky Derby.

An Insider's Look For Partners: Claiming Races

tfinley — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Written by West Point Thoroughbreds Executive Vice President Tom Bellhouse.

Tommy shared this piece on Facebook on March 8th, and we'd like to share it with our Partners.

A Handicapper's Championship Purse Paradise

tfinley — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Greetings. I am out in Las Vegas for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. There is a good vibe in the air.

Happy New Year

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:11:24 +0000

It's the end of another year, and what an interesting year it was. Our stable's stats in 2010 were solid. The West Point horses earned over $ 2.5 million on the racetrack, making it our third best year in history.

It Really Happened...Bloom Vs. Cordero

admin — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:51:25 +0000

"IT REALLY HAPPENED TERRY, I AM NOT KIDDING!!"

Breeders' Cup Wrap Up

admin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:47:31 +0000

Youtube is a treasure chest of information and stories about racing, horses and the people involved in the industry. Search around the site and you’ll see what I mean. Click here to visit a cool site with some interesting replays.

Breeders' Cup is Coming

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:41:56 +0000

BREEDERS’ CUP ALMOST HERE

"Ah. The Breeders’ Cup is next week." That sure does have a nice ring to it. The entire racing world will focus its attention on Churchill Downs next Friday and Saturday for the World Championships of horse racing.

Breeders' Cup Here We Come

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:27:27 +0000

It's hard to believe that another season at Del Mar and Saratoga are in the books. Driving down the NJ Turnpike was somewhat bittersweet, but I can't hang my head for too long because this fall looks like it might be one of the most exciting in our company's history.