Hallandale Beach, FL, August 8, 2026 — As many of you realize, growing old and acting like an adult can be mutually exclusive events. Like when I awakened this morn ing and realized I wasn’t where I was supposed to be: In the foothills of the Adirondacks.
Palm trees are never to be confused with grand Oaks.
Never mind that the legendary Whitney and its loaded graded stakes program is my favorite day of racing not named Derby Day or Breeders’ Cup. Rather, it’s the entire weekend that begins on Hall of Fame Friday and concludes at the bar on the grounds of the Fasig-Tipton yearling sales pavilion five nights later, making a possible transition from the land of hopes and dreams to championship-defining event.
The entire August Place to Be experience is encapsulated on this weekend, one that launches early Friday morning when the media scrambles for seats to gain a birds-eye view of the men and women in their finest Hall of Fame fashions:
Augusta has its green jackets but racing’s Hall of Famers get the gold.
I didn’t know the great John Shiriffs well but I do have knowledge of the astounding mare he trained, Zenyatta, who emerged from the pack and exploded into the lead to take the 2009 Breeders’ Cip Classic as I sat with my good friend, the late Steve Davidowitz, from our perch in the media section just passed the finish line in the Santa Anita clubhouse.
But more for Christophe Clement who–like many in this game did–I loved, not for his considerable resume but for the kindness he showed when I needed as assist to my car one afternoon at Gulfstream Park. The horses are the stars but it’s their handlers who make mate is all possible.
And then to miss Miguel Clement winning the Hall of Fame Stakes on this special day for the Clement clan, and Manny Frasco winning six on the card, including an incredible natural quintuple.
And the big day is still a few yours away. We’ll be back.
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6 Responses
I know from personal experience that it’s painful to not be in Saratoga Springs on Whitney weekend. I feel your hurt John.
I know you kn0w; thanks for acknowledging Les ….
John i attended Saratoga last week. It was as you describe something special. I sat and talked with Dave Weaver and Todd Scrupp formerly from Fan Duel.
You will have your day(s) at Saratoga next year John.
God willing, I shall return … though it did take Gen MacArthur four years if I remember my WW II history accurately …
Now that he has been retired, where do you see White Abarrio in terms of Hall of Fame? Does he have a case?
Shame on me Doc but that thought never crossed my mind. He is after all the classic in-and outer and while there are many loses on his card, there were some huge victories in bvery ig spots. Thanks for this food for thought Doc …