Left at the Gate's Alan Mann blogs for NTRA

If you're not reading Alan Mann, you're probably not a serious racing fan

Alan Mann, long the title holder for best horse racing blogger, began blogging for the Breeder's Cup folks a few weeks back, in addition to keeping up his mainstay blog Left at the Gate. If you read Crist's or Illman's blog at drf.com and want to know what inspired them, it's Alan's slice of the blogosphere. Few have done it longer and nobody does it better.

John Henry was loved by all

John Henry, dead at 32
He stands for something that we so envy in today's game. He was tough, as in his duel with The Bart, and had stamina not just to go a route of ground, but to race at the top of the game at a shockingly advanced age. He was the first horse I was aware of, and will always hold a special place in my heart.

New Basset Hound on the Block

Finally the innerweb has expanded it's cannon of blogs embracing the nexus of blues and horse racing. Ernie Munick waxes equine and blusical at his recently launched blog. Craft shines through in his writing which reminds me how enjoyable noncommercial prose can be. I knew to expect good things when the gorgeous classicist, noted author and armchair handicapper Mandy Keifetz offered her endorsement. NY racing fans may recognize the Keifetz name as her brother has campaigned many useful horses including the G3 Affectionately winner Austin's Mom. The bee hive of witty, talented folks with engrossing ideas and novel ways to communicate them is, along with the food & art & racing, a great draw of New York.

Super Likit Update

Super Likit returned to action last week. After an offensive first after the claim outing, she turned things around and briefly flashed an impressive turn of foot nearing the wire to nose out the odds-on favorite for third. Check the chart (pdf warning).