Peter Blum

Few horses in training could have matched motors Saturday with Peter Blum's Society (Gun Runner), who took the GIII Chicago S. by the scruff of the neck a few strides away from the gates and never gave any of her five rivals a chance, streaking home to score in new track-record time. Drawn one from the outside, the 2-1 second favorite hit the ground running and led narrowly through the opening stages from Drifaros (Kantharos) as odds-on Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) was content enough to sit third behind the speed....

Even in the heyday of the great owner-breeders, it would have been remarkable for a Classic winner to represent the seventh generation of a single program. In the commercial era, it is beyond extraordinary. Yet in the long, tenuous line linking GI Preakness S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) to his foundation mare Mono, only once did Peter Blum come close to letting it break. That was when a Mt. Livermore filly named Proposal was sold as a 2-year-old at Keeneland in 1999, for $375,000. "I sold her to John...

Taking full advantage of a track that was exceptionally kind to speed throughout the course of the program, Peter Blum's Society (f, 3, Gun Runner--Etiquette, by Tapit) built on a big-figure victory in the GIII Charles Town Oaks when last seen four weeks ago and ran them off their feet for a maiden Grade I victory in Saturday's $1-million Cotillion S. at Parx. Drawn the outside gate in a field of nine, the homebred was clicked up as soon as the gates flew and crossed and cleared all inside traffic,...

Peter Blum's Society (Gun Runner) avenged her lone career defeat to date last time in the GI CCA Oaks with a thoroughly dominating performance in Friday's GIII Charles Town Oaks. Favored on the precipitous drop in class, the beautifully bred chestnut was hustled straight into the lead by Tyler Gaffalione and the duo was pressed along early by 21-1 outsider Chardonnay (Candy Ride {Arg}), with the well-backed Louisiana raider Free Like a Girl (El Deal) not far away in third. Going along easily after four furlongs in a very manageable...

Society handled the stretch out and class hike Saturday evening to become the 12th stakes winner for her fast-starting sire--at least seven of which have been trained by Gun Runner's Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen. Belying odds of nearly 28-1 when unveiled by Wayne Mackey going 6 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland last October, the Peter Blum homebred was subsequently transferred to the Asmussen barn and resurfaced to take a first-level allowance going the same distance in the slop one race after the GI Kentucky Oaks May 6. Two turns...

12th-Churchill Downs, $128,924, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 5-6, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.89, sy, 1 3/4 lengths. SOCIETY (f, 3, Gun Runner--Etiquette, by Tapit) graduated by a length on debut Oct. 21 at Keeneland for prior trainer Wayne Mackey and was given a 7-2 chance with first-time Lasix in this return to action. Away well, the homebred sped out to take control, zipping through a swift first quarter in :21.92. Showing the way into the lane, the chestnut was confronted by SP Ontheonesandtwos (Jimmy Creed) in the lane, but determinedly...

Gary Barber was named 2020 National Owner of the Year, Peter Blum National Breeder of the Year and Drumette (Henny Hughes), the dam of two-time champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and last year's GII Risen Star S. winner Mr. Monomoy (Palace Malice), was named Broodmare of the Year at the 36th annual National Awards Dinner at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Paris, Ky. Saturday evening. Angie Moore took home honors for National Small Breeder of the Year and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners received the Cot Campbell Racing Partnership of the Year...

Pulling up to the gates of Hurricane Place Farm, you can't miss the large white and blue sign with a bold headline reading, "Birthplace of Authentic-2020 Kentucky Derby winner." The farm, located just outside of Cynthiana, Kentucky, has been run by Bridie Harrison along with her husband and sons Jonathan and Daniel for the past six years. Together, the family manages the broodmare band for their sole client, breeder Peter Blum. Bridie isn't quite yet fond of the attention that comes with raising a Horse of the Year, preferring to...

Authentic has already carved one significant milestone for his sire, his debut success at Del Mar last November having qualified Into Mischief as the first North American stallion to accumulate 200 individual winners in a calendar year. If he can also become a Classic winner, however, he will need a chapter to himself in the Spendthrift phenomenon's epic tale. Because the rise of Into Mischief, sealed by a first general sires' championship in 2019, has primarily been powered by speed. As his books have gained in quality, the last big...

PETER BLUM I learned the sad news about Tommy Trotter's death in the TDN and wanted to pass along a few comments.  At 93, his death shouldn't have come as a surprise, but it did. Tommy Trotter was timeless! Tom Robbins was spot on in remembering Jimmy Kilroe when talking about Tommy. Trotter was the greatest racing secretary and one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. Kilroe, who worked closely in New York with Trotter before moving to California, was the consummate professional. I was just a kid...