We started Old Friends ten years ago. Yikes! We've gone from Rich in Dallas and Narrow Escape to more than 200 retirees that have, at one time or another, called Old Friends home. When you're a kid, a decade seems like forever but, as one who's lived through many decades from the late Forties to the early 2000's, they are flying by as fast as Commentator's record-setting mile at Gulfstream Park.

That's why, on beautiful mornings, I like to linger in the long shadows cast by our remarkable retirees. On mornings like this, I'm certain there's no better place on the Earth than Old Friends. Every horse greets you as if you're their best pal.

The winter chill is giving way to the long-awaited promise of spring.  We're just a few days away from the Keeneland meet and just over a month from the Kentucky Derby. The visitors are waking from their hibernation. We're preparing for our upcoming celebrations -Ferdinand's Ball, two days before Derby, and Homecoming, the first Sunday in May. In New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek is partnering with the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame for a special Derby party. In just a few weeks, Lubrisyn, under the leadership of Dr. Steve and Kim Allday, are donating the proceeds from their annual Derby get-together at their farm to Old Friends.

This morning, for example, Arson Squad and I'm Charismatic made a synchronized canter toward their food buckets. They both like a little rub on their heads while taking their first bites. Bull Inthe Heather wanted his back scratched - a task I ignore when the temperature is below freezing but is exhilarating to perform when the sun shines. And, of course, there's Commentator bellowing for more than his fair share. The winter has been very kind to Tinners Way. Janet has given him some extra attention and he's gained a lot of weight. Even Williamstown, the big, black son of Seattle Slew, seems more cordial than usual.  Delay of Game awaits the return of his best friend, Sara (Mrs. Rusty Arnold), and Mike the Spike can't wait until the back roads on the back 40 are dry enough for Viv to drive up and spoil him. 

Rosie Napravnik, who won the Battle of New Orleans, handily, will be coming by on Monday for our special jockey day. She'll be joined by Chris McCarron, Craig Perret, Kent Desormeaux and other riders who'll be greeting visitors and telling stories about their adventures aboard their old friends before they were old.

After ten years, I guess I'm still singing the same old song. The support you've given us has been unbelievable. But what drives me every day is the need for more room for more athletes. We've received more than our fair share of accolades. And, I'm both humbled and appreciative. But that doesn't amount to anything unless we keep pressing forward to create more space so more of these majestic Thoroughbreds can come to us to live out their lives with dignity and respect. There'll be opportunities to expand Old Friends in the coming months and we want take advantage of them. To everyone who donates to Old Friends, I am eternally grateful. I know that you know as well as I do, it's not for us, it's for them. And it doesn't get much more satisfying than that. Let's hope that the second decade is even better than the first. Thank you so much.