Rating game: The art and science of rationing speed

By Marcus Hersh - DRF

"Shackleford is a speed horse, yes, but in the Preakness he showed mastery of the skill that separates horses running on blind instinct from horses racing with a purpose: rating."  Read more...

Nereid is learning to RATE (not rank) behind another horse, taking away the stress of going head to head or feeling the pressure of another horse at her flank.
Posted by John Shirreffs at YouTube under his channel, jonshfs05

MIKE SMITH:  All Star rider prepares for Ascot at the grass roots

US Hall of Fame jockey prepares for the fresh challenge of royal meeting with a race of Folkestone.  Chris McGrath hears why.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Mr Smith goes to Folkestone. Back in Hollywood, near his home in the hills above Los Angeles, they wouldn't entertain a scenario like this for two minutes. Mike Smith has an everyday sort of name, but that is the only congruity in his arrival tomorrow at one of the least glamorous venues on the British Turf. As when Frank Capra sent his namesake to Washington, however, Smith will inspire any rival who has mislaid the best possibilities of their vocation.  Read more...Source

Derby Winner Sets Shining Example for Wayward Industry

New York Times, The Rail Horseracing Blog

May 8, 2011, 2:45 pm

By JIM SQUIRES

LOUSIVILLE, KY — Even though the winner has a Brazilian-bred sire and a German-bred dam, the 137th Kentucky Derby made a big run toward retaining its eminence as the world’s greatest race. The reasons are legion.

Animal Kingdom was Kentucky-bred, born and raised in the Bluegrass State, as was 75 percent of the field. His sire, with an impossible to pronounce, decidedly non-commercial name — Leroidesanimaux — is at once a shining example of everything that has been going wrong in the American thoroughbred breeding industry and everything that can save it. Read more at Source