As many of you know, I’ve recently become affiliated with the TBA (Thoroughbred Blogger’s Alliance), an amazing group of bloggers that are die-hard fans of thoroughbred racing. See that blogroll on the right hand side of your screen with the black banner? That’s them. Since joining I’ve had a tremendous time, participating in discussions, reading each others blogs, and competing in contests like our take ten challenge. I’ll be travelling for business once again this week and essentially unable to post updates until very late Friday night/early Saturday morning (3/15). I’ve asked my friends in the TBA to help get me through the week without my blog looking like a ghost town by asking them to submit some of their favorite articles from their blogs.
Each article below is one that I have read over and thought you might find worth checking out if you’re looking to devour some thoroughbred news, opinions, and/or analysis. Many of the submissions to this post came from TBA bloggers recommending their favorite posts on the blogs of other members. I’m all about sharing the love, and since we’ve got a fairly dedicated group of readers here, I’d ask that if you have the time you stop over at the links below and check out what the other members of the TBA are discussing.
Michael over at Curb Your Enthusiasm has several that are worth checking out:
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Here he muses about Rags to Riches breeding possibilities before she won the Belmont against Curlin last year:
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In this post he lays out some logical commandments for horseplayers to follow when playing the races.
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Here he gives us a great look at what it’s like to be close to the action as he was credentialed for the week of the 2007 Kentucky Derby. Consider this group of posts to be akin to a backstage pass to the action:
Handride makes a compelling case for the TBA standings and some of the confusion involved in ranking the leaders of each division in thoroughbred racing. These are the same standings I wish I could find a way to display here but so far have been unable to:
Superfecta has a couple good ones from her SuperfectaBlog that I thought you guys would enjoy:
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Here she discusses the “gender issue” and offers some suggestions on how the sport could make itself for friendly to women:
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In this article she lays out a plan for what a commissioner of horse racing might consider, if the position existed. I think she’s got some quality ideas here. The only one I’d add to her list is a plea for more night racing:
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Turning to a more serious tone, here she gives her thoughts about Barbaro, including some insightful information on the origins of the colts name:
John from Not to the Swit shares a post with a rather humorous fictional call. We’re talking multi-media here as rather than read this post, you listen to it. 
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Another TBA member submitted his article about Jontilla and some of the long-shots he’s successfully picked in a reflection on his times at Monmouth Park in NJ:
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Sue from Post Parade sits down with a bottle of wine to write about John Henry. Hilarity ensues!
Teresa over at Brooklyn Backstretch has offered up some good ones:
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Here she reviews the book “The Noble Animals” by Landon Manning, a special treasure that was picked up for her as a Christmas present from her parents:
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In this article she weighs in on the recent changes to the Breeder’s Cup schedule, including the controvresial ‘Ladies Classic”:
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Coincidentally, after reading the above article you may wish to visit the petition “Take Back the Race” concerning the renaming of the Breeder’s Cup Distaff by clicking here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/2008bc/
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Finally, she takes a look back at the tragic ending of Hoist the Flag’s career in 1971:
Valerie’s Foolish Pleasure was recommended by another TBA member who raved about her post concerning her lifelong experiences with horse racing. The post really resonated with me when I read it as it helps capture the excitement and passion that draws us as human beings to the greatest sport on earth:
Fellow TBA members also recommended Ted Grevelis from Owning Racehorses in a post he has reflecting on a trip to Saratoga, and the overwhelming fear that accompanies the realization that the hotel staff has thrown out your handicapping info!
Dana from Green but Game also has some quality posts for your reading enjoyment that I’d like to share, including:
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In this post she revels in the labor of love that is handicapping full race cards on multiple days in a row:
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Here she touches on something that is near and dear to my heart, which is finding ways to encourage new fans of the game. I like her take on Smarty Jones as a sort of ambassador of the game. Lord knows if it’s possible to visit Curlin when he is sent to stud, I’ll be there!
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In yet another fascinating post, Dana touches on the subject that many of today’s race horses are bred to be stallions rather than race horses:
Lastly, while not a member of the TBA, I’d like to send some link karma the way of our friend Phil J, who I will always be proud of encouraging to go from reader to blogger himself. Phil’s found a good one (who now graces my own 2008 Kentucky Derby rankings list) and thinks he might be a Derby contender. Phil’s got a great eye for the game so when he talks, I listen:
I look forward to rejoining you all for more interactive discussion when I return late Friday night. We’ll have three big ones to take a look at next weekend with the Rebel, the San Felipe, and the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday.
Thanks again for doing this Kevin, I love all of these posts!
Anytime, Dana. I’m just glad you guys were around as I really get almost 0 minutes per day to even check my site while I’m away on travel. Hopefully folks are enjoying the articles.