If you caught any part of last night’s Internet show, you would have been impressed by the professionalism of Ben Huffman, the Racing Secretary at Keeneland. It is people like Ben that make Keeneland truly what it is…. Class personified.

We spoke today, and I wanted to thank him for taking time to be with us as our special guest. It was at this time, that he wanted to have said a few other things. None of which talked about his attention to detail, or how at a young age he has one of the most coveted racing positions in racing . He wanted to talk about the world class riders and trainers he gets the opportunity to work with daily.  So, Ben… Here is the rest of the story….

He is amazed at the caliber of riders that year in, and year out travel to Keeneland.  For starters, you have the colorful Calvin Borel. You know, the guy who won the Derby. How about hard-riding Cajun Kent Desormeaux, who has a resume as long as your arm? Edgar Prado, who dollar-for dollar is one of the best money riders in the world. Robby Albarado who can ride 10,000 claimers or the favorite in a G-1, and he rides both the same… Shaun Bridgmohan, the return of Fransico Torres, and Rajiv Maragh, thundering in from New York? How about Alex Solis making his trek from Southern California? Add in the many names of Miguel Mena, Terry Thompson, James Graham, John Court, and every rider who puts on a boot. Any of them can win at any time. This is where the best of the best come to ply their trade. They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t have the stuff….

How about trainers such as Ken McPeek who is off to a great start? Graham Motion, and the ever tough Christophe Clemente? Thom Albertrani? Bill Mott? Ian Wilkes, and the ultra consistent Rusty Arnold.  By the way, you might want to play that last trainer like crazy at Gulfstream and Keeneland… There are so many, and so many that ship into Lexington, Kentucky, that it wouldn’t be fair…. The names go on and on… And Ben wanted the world to know what an honor it is to work with them….

So, another chapter is in the books, and you get to meet one of the good guys of racing. Matter of fact, I haven’t met many bad people. This is a game where loyalty and honor still hold sway, and truth is told on the track… I love Keeneland, and people like Ben Huffman keep the tradition of our sport alive and well….