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

Barbaro’s Owners Purchase His Derby Saddle

The saddle worn by Barbaro in the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) sold for $220,000 at the May 4 Mint Jubilee Gala, with proceeds of the sale going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund.


Dwight Manley, national

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Churchill Prepares for Visit from Queen

Staff members and security guards at Churchill Downs are preparing for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip, who will attend Saturday’s running of the Kentucky Derby.

According to Julie Koenig Loignon, official

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Derby Horses: What’s in a Name? Tradition, Humor

1. Street Sense (Street Cry?Bedazzle): Breeder/owner James Tafel says there’s no particular reason for the “sense” portion of his colt’s name. The first part, of course, is derived from the name of Street Sense’s sire.


2. Scat Daddy

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Barbaro Doing Well: Vets Plan to Remove Cast Next Week

Barbaro, the unbeaten winner of the Kentucky Derby, is in good health and progressing well on his road to recovery, Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, told reporters in a Nov. 1 press conference during the National Turf Writers’ Association dinne

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Racing Museum to Debut Unique Horse Racing Simulator

The National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is expected to unveil its one-of-a-kind equine simulator during a press conference Aug. 3 museum communications director Mike Kane said.


Under development for approximately three years, the

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Asmussen Faces Six Month Suspension and Fine

Steve Asmussen, North America’s leading trainer in 2004 and 2005, is facing a six month suspension for a medication infraction involving the Class 2 drug mepivicaine, a local anesthetic.


According to the Louisiana Racing Commission,

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Jockey Injured After Colt Wins Forerunner

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey John Velazquez remained hospitalized Thursday evening (April 20) following a nasty spill in Keeneland’s feature race, the Forerunner Stakes. The incident occurred when Velazquez’s mount, Up an Octave, broke

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