Claire Novak

Winner of the 2011 Eclipse Award for Feature/Commentary and the 2008 Louisville Metro Journalism Award for Sports Writing, Claire Novak has melded her love for human-interest journalism and the equine breed into a successful Turf writing career. Since her first freelance article on racing was published at BloodHorse.com in 2005, her byline has appeared in the New York Times, ESPN The Magazine, and on ESPN.com, among others. She lives near Lexington and, when not writing about racing, can often be found jumping her Thoroughbred, Bob.

Articles by: Claire Novak

Venipuncture vs. IVC: Samples Similar No Matter How You Stick It

We’ve seen them before–hospitalized equine patients made anxious, even fractious, by the drawing of multiple blood samples via direct venipuncture. But here’s good news for veterinarians and nursing staff who dislike using the method on resistant patients. According to a recent study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, blood drawn w

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Cartilage Repair Research Update

Members of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s Rokeby Circle were briefed on Aug. 19 by Lisa A. Fortier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, on her work in equine sports medicine as it relates to regenerative therapies. Her presentation was part of the organization’s annual dinner at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

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Track Bans Owner’s Horses Pending Necropsy Review

Horses entered in the name of Michael Gill, North America’s leading owner by races won and purses earned in 2009, will not be accepted for entry at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for track owner Penn National Gaming Inc., said Jan. 25 the temporary restriction has been put in place pending a meeting to review the necrops

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Jockey Apologizes for Mounted Fight

Jockey Eriluis Vaz, one of two riders involved in a mounted fight during Philadelphia Park’s fifth race Jan. 8, has issued a public apology for what he terms “bad judgment” as he awaits a hearing before the stewards along with fellow rider Ademar Santos.

“I would like to … say how sorry I really am for the incident that happened between myself and Mr. Santos,&

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Mine That Bird Will Not Run in Travers

The Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes lost some of its luster hours before entries were taken Aug. 26 when it was announced that Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby, would not run in the “Mid-Summer Derby” at Saratoga Racecourse

Mine That Bird

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Eight Bells for Eight Belles

A petition urging Churchill Downs to honor Fox Hill Farms’ deceased filly Eight Belles by ringing eight bells, a nautical euphemism for “finished,” prior to the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is gaining

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Great Expectations: Barbaro’s Brother

On the morning of April 30, as the eyes of the nation turned to Churchill Downs for the upcoming running of the 134th Kentucky Derby, a Brook Ledge horse van arrived at Stephens Thoroughbreds in Ocala, Fla. While trainer Michael Matz supervised the

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Eight Belles Wristbands Benefit Rescue

Six days after Eight Belles’ catastrophic injury in the Kentucky Derby Presented, owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms approved a wristband manufactured in memory of the gallant filly, with proceeds to benefit Midlantic Horse Rescue.

According

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Derby Winner Big Brown in Good Shape the Day After

Speaking to reporters on the Churchill Downs backside the day after Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was cautiously optimistic regarding his starter’s chances in the Preakness Stakes.

“I really liked him in (the

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Pletcher Duo One-Two in Blue Grass Stakes

Trainer Todd Pletcher had just one victory at Keeneland under his belt going into the April 12 card. But he won again when it counted, and with Monba and Cowboy Cal finishing 1-2 in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), it looks like

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