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Mark Twain was one of the country’s first great turf writers. Well, sort of.

In November 1865, in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Twain offered rare insight into a horseplayer’s mindset when he wrote about a compulsive gambler named Jim Smiley: “If there was a horse race, you’d find him flush, or you’d find him busted.”

Not one of the lucky 45,000 people attending the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland this year? Don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to have an amazing Breeders’ Cup experience at home. We’ve put together this guide with ways to decorate, celebrate, and venerate the best Thoroughbreds currently competing in horse racing. With our help, party planning will be a breeze and you’ll be able to enjoy the World Championships races from home and in style.

Elliott Walden, former CEO and racing manager of WinStar Farm, has teamed with an all-star roster of sports and broadcasting figures to launch a new show: “The Good Life Podcast.” Co-hosted by Tom Leach, the iconic “Voice of the Wildcats,” Jeff Sheppard, former University of Kentucky basketball standout and father of NBA star Reed Sheppard, and Andie Biancone from NBC Sports, the podcast intersects the worlds of horse racing, mainstream sports, faith, and business. The first episode of the weekly podcast was released on Thursday.

Just like every sport, horse racing has its superstars, up-and-comers, veterans, comeback stories, and underdogs. Some horses simply dominate, others rely on speed, consistency, or toughness, and a few seem to find another level when people least expect it.

More than one Coach Pope could be in Keeneland’s saddling paddock for the $650,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity on Saturday.

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