Claire Novak
Claire Novak has melded her love for human-interest journalism and the equine breed into a successful Turf writing career. Winner of the 2008 Louisville Metro Journalism Award for Sports Writing, she maintains connections to esteemed organizations such as the Associated Press and The Blood-Horse Magazine. Her byline appears regularly in numerous other publications.
Articles by Claire Novak
Racehorse Point of Entry Suffers Condylar Fracture
June 10, 2013
Point of Entry suffered a condylar fracture in his left hind cannon bone and will have surgery. Read More
Bramlage Hospitalized After Golf Cart Fall
May 02, 2013
Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, fell from the back of a golf cart and hit his head on May 2. Read More
Hall of Fame Jockey Stevens Announces Comeback Plans
January 06, 2013
During retirement, Stevens served as a TV commentator and starred in the movie "Seabiscuit." Read More
Commentary: Saving Potesta, an Unlikely Story
January 02, 2013
Read how veterinarians saved a record-breaking racehorse after she sustained a life-threatening injury. Read More
Final Breeders' Cup Contenders Arrive in California
November 01, 2012
The final contingent of Breeders' Cup runners arrived at Santa Anita Park Oct. 31 after Hurricane Sandy. Read More
Racehorse Paynter to Rehab at Fair Hill Equine Therapy
October 15, 2012
Zayat, commenting Oct. 12, said the intent is to eventually return Paynter to training.
Read More
Salix Accidentally Administered to Horse before Race
October 08, 2012
A Kentucky state veterinarian accidentally administered furosemide to a racehorse at Keeneland on Oct. 5. Read More
Racehorse Paynter Undergoes Surgery
October 03, 2012
Veterinarians removed a 15-inch external growth from the colt's intestines this morning. Read More
Racehorse Paynter Recovers from Laminitis, Fighting Colitis
September 21, 2012
Paynter has "beaten laminitis" and will be able to race again if he beats colitis, his owner said Sept. 21. Read More
Next 24 Hours 'Critical' in Case of Racehorse Paynter
September 04, 2012
Ailing Haskell Invitational winner fights infected catheter after receiving treatment for fever Read More
Ky. Derby, Preakness Runner-Up to have Diagnostic Procedures
August 16, 2012
The colt will be evaluated by specialists at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Read More
Venipuncture vs. IVC: Samples Similar No Matter How You Stick It
September 13, 2010
We've seen them before--hospitalized equine patients made anxious, even fractious, by the drawing of multiple blood samples via direct venipuncture. But here's good news for veterinarians and nursing staff who dislike using t Read More
Cartilage Repair Research Update
August 20, 2010
Members of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation's Rokeby Circle were briefed on Aug. 19 by Lisa A. Fortier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, on her work in equine sports medicine as it relates to regenerative therapies. Her presentation was part of the o Read More
Track Bans Owner's Horses Pending Necropsy Review
January 26, 2010
Horses entered in the name of Michael Gill, North America's leading owner by races won and purses earned in 2009, will not be accepted for entry at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
Chris McErlean, vice president of Read More
Jockey Apologizes for Mounted Fight
January 11, 2010
Jockey Eriluis Vaz, one of two riders involved in a mounted fight during Philadelphia Park's fifth race Jan. 8, has issued a public apology for what he terms "bad judgment" as he awaits a hearing before the stewards along with fel Read More
Mine That Bird Will Not Run in Travers
August 26, 2009
The Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes lost some of its luster hours before entries were taken Aug. 26 when it was announced that Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby, would not run in the "Mid-Summer Derby" at Saratoga Racecourse
Former Thoroughbed Jockey Gary Boulanger Recovering From Injuries
November 09, 2008
Former jockey Gary Boulanger, who rode the Florida circuit before he was injured in a 2005 spill at Gulfstream Park, was recovering from surgery Nov. 8 following a farm accident at a facility in Davie, Fla., where he had been teaching riding Read More
Eight Bells for Eight Belles
May 11, 2008
A petition urging Churchill Downs to honor Fox Hill Farms' deceased filly Eight Belles by ringing eight bells, a nautical euphemism for "finished," prior to the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is gaining Read More
Great Expectations: Barbaro's Brother
May 08, 2008
On the morning of April 30, as the eyes of the nation turned to Churchill Downs for the upcoming running of the 134th Kentucky Derby, a Brook Ledge horse van arrived at Stephens Thoroughbreds in Ocala, Fla. While trainer Michael Matz supervised the Read More
Eight Belles Wristbands Benefit Rescue
May 08, 2008
Six days after Eight Belles' catastrophic injury in the Kentucky Derby Presented, owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms approved a wristband manufactured in memory of the gallant filly, with proceeds to benefit Midlantic Horse Rescue.
According Read More
Derby Winner Big Brown in Good Shape the Day After
May 04, 2008
Speaking to reporters on the Churchill Downs backside the day after Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was cautiously optimistic regarding his starter's chances in the Preakness Stakes.
"I really liked him in (the Read More
Pletcher Duo One-Two in Blue Grass Stakes
April 13, 2008
Trainer Todd Pletcher had just one victory at Keeneland under his belt going into the April 12 card. But he won again when it counted, and with Monba and Cowboy Cal finishing 1-2 in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), it looks like Read More
Curlin Conquers the World in the Dubai World Cup
March 30, 2008
As 12 horses headed to the post in the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), trainer Steve Asmussen stood in the paddock at Nad Al Sheba racecourse. "I’m just wanting the real Curlin to show up,” he said. Moments later, the Smart Strike colt more tha Read More
Racehorse Identification More than Flipping Lips
February 11, 2008
A weekly feature found only on BloodHorseNOW.com, The "Inside Track" is dedicated to the people in Thoroughbred racing that may not always make the headlines, but Read More
Samaritan Who Saved Racehorse Groom Named White Horse Award Winner
October 25, 2007
Navy Aircraft Mechanic first class Johnny Arrendondo Ponce became the first non-track worker to win the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's White Horse Award when it was presented Oct. 25 at the Taylor Made Stallions' White Horse Heroes Luncheon Read More
