My new gig

For those who have not yet heard the news, I am starting on as a staff writer for Thoroughbred Times on August 8.

Dating back to my internship with Thoroughbred Times in the summer of 2008, my goal has been to get back with the publication in some capacity. Over that time, I have appeared in the magazine, website and daily publications in a freelance role at some of the sport’s biggest events.

If one got right down to the nuts and bolts of it all, my time with Thoroughbred Times was largely responsible for the birth of The Michigan-Bred Claimer. I did not want to start a racing blog until I had the right kind of momentum behind my name to make it stand out from the pack. An internship with Thoroughbred Times provided just that.

So, what does this announcement mean for this site? Honestly, I don’t know.

The job will require a move to Lexington, Ky., which means that coverage of racing in Michigan will become nearly impossible to pull off, especially on top of all the responsibilities of working for a leading Thoroughbred publication. Considering all the recent goings on at Mount Pleasant Meadows, this is a pretty considerable bummer, but opportunities like this are too rare to pass.

I have been asked if I would ever pass the title of “Michigan-Bred Claimer” on to someone else to carry on the coverage of the state’s racing industry. Quite frankly, I have spent so much time building the brand and its reputation that I’d prefer to hang on to the name for possible future use. This is not to deter anyone else from picking up the torch and providing the coverage Michigan desperately needs, in fact I encourage it, but if you use the “Michigan-Bred Claimer” name, I will find you…

Regardless of what happens to this blog, readers will still get to read my often off-kilter thoughts on racing in the pages of Arabian Finish Line. Because the publication covers a different breed of horse from Thoroughbred Times, the “Making Claims” column will live on.

Anyway, that’s what’s new and exciting around here. This development more than likely would have never happened without everyone who has read, commented, promoted and otherwise helped make The Michigan-Bred Claimer a rousing success in drawing attention to what I have to offer, and more importantly, what Michigan racing has to offer.

So many people in Michigan’s racing industry have been vital in helping me get to this point – from the horsemen’s organizations, racetrack personnel, owners, breeders, trainers and anyone else that was ever nice enough to accept an interview request, to the people on the track for not punching me when I shove a camera in their faces.

In particular, an enormous debt of gratitude is owed to Rick McCune, who has been one of my biggest teachers and supporters in this business. Simply put, if not for Rick, I would probably still be one of those kids who spends more time running races on the apron than watching the actual races on the track. There is no way I am here writing this post about this subject without his guidance, and for that, I can’t thank him enough.

A plethora of thanks also goes out to all of the publications who took me on as a freelancer and allowed me to expand my career to new levels. It was a thrill opening the mailbox every day and seeing my work appear in a different magazine, including Arabian Finish Line, Midwest Thoroughbred, Louisiana Horse and online at Thorofan.com.

Even if the end is near, this isn’t it for the blog just yet. I still have some time in Michigan, and as the last year has proven, there is never a dull moment in this state. Without a doubt, that experience will make me even better on my next stop.

I look forward to getting started on my new gig.

 

UPDATE: From the Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association website…

Joe Nevills, creator of the MI Bred Claimer Blog and member of MTOBA, will be leaving Michigan to take a position as staff writer for the Thoroughbred Times.  He begins this next phase of his career on August 8th in Lexington, KY.  A farewell party will be happening at Mt. Pleasant Meadows this Sunday, July 31st.  All are invited.  The MTOBA Board sends their congratulations and will all look forward to following  Joe’s stories in the Thoroughbred Times.  We will miss you Joe but we are oh so proud to have our own Michigan Bred son make it to the big leagues in Kentucky!

Seasons Greetings

Happy holidays to you and yours from the staff of The Michigan-Bred Claimer (you know, me).

May the new year bring you success on the track, in the sales ring and at the windows.

While I have your attention, check out what my aunt had made for me as a Christmas gift…

Check me out. I have my own merch.

It came with a couple shirts and a winter cap with the same logo. Awesome. Next time you see me at the races, I just might look like I know what I’m doing.

Have a safe and happy holidays, gang!

One year and counting

One year ago today, I hit “Publish” on my first post and introduced my newest venture, The Michigan-Bred Claimer, to the world.

Since then, the last year has been a whirlwind tour of big races, interesting people and mountains of losing tickets. I have met more people who share a love for the sport of horse racing in the last year than I could have ever imagined, both in Michigan and around the world. Seeing that passion both from young people and those who have been part of the business for decades has been energizing and gives me confidence that this industry will survive whatever challenges are thrown at it.

Over the last year, I have tried to document every significant racing-related event I have experienced and bring you all along for the ride. Let’s take a look back at a few of the things that have made the last 365 days, 166 posts and 470 comments so memorable…

Since Oct. 17, 2008, I have…

– Logged a ton of miles in my beat up Trailblazer
– Talked about hard times with Ellis Park owner Ron Geary
– Shot the breeze about Mount Pleasant’s top Arabians with River Downs announcer Peter Aiello
– Tailgated at Keeneland Race Course (post coming soon!)
– Watched the destruction of my favorite racetrack
– Attended the races at Mount Pleasant Meadows religiously
– Attended the races at Pinnacle Race Course when I had gas money or could bum a ride
– Found out what all this Racino fuss is about at Indiana Downs
– Become a nationally published amateur poet
– Watched a family namesake grow up (this one’s coming too!)
– Been cited in a Flint Journal news story
– Watched a lot of crazy stuff go down in Lansing (too many posts to link)
– Lost a lot of money on the Kentucky Derby
– Eaten a mighty fine grilled cheese sandwich at Turfway Park
– Cashed my biggest live ticket of the year on my second bet at Beulah Park
– Joined the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance
– Torn NASCAR a new one
– Been featured on news sites including Equidaily, The Paulick Report and Raceday 360
– and shot thousands of photos along the way.

I’d say that’s a pretty full year.

Anyway, I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for reading, commenting on, and promoting the blog, speaking to me in person, putting up with me or just putting horses on the track and giving me something to write about. Thank you all for spending a few moments of your day with me. I look forward to providing you with the best coverage of Michigan horse racing I can muster, providing my perspective on recent happenings and telling a few stories into year two and beyond.

Have a nice day.