Justin Nicholson

For better or worse, the industry seemingly has left this kind of thinking to the free market. When I pick stallions, part of the thought process is the barn they came from and whether I feel their on-track performance was a genuine reflection. Not decisive, but a factor.

Oh, do I remember… @EQconvention 🫡 👊 @JustinTheNich @TerryFinley11 @ljlmvel @reredevaux @ponyace

Big day for us tomorrow with Awesome Aaron in the Ben Ali at KEE and Fulmine in the Bay Shore at AQU! Both doing great in the AM, and we’ll get a better sense of where both belong at the moment after tomorrow’s races. Fingers firmly crossed we learn something good!

If it helps, as the person who bought the horse, I work mainly off of Thorograph and don’t use beyers for claiming/purchases. Certainly didn’t come into play for the sale and I think the change happened after we made the purchase (certainly the first I’d heard came after)

(2/2) And I don’t mean people shouldn’t point to areas that need fixing or that we shouldn’t try to hold others accountable for breaking rules. Just the opposite. We should aspire to demonstrate integrity in all aspects. Our tent is shrinking already. Don’t hasten it

One of the special things about horse racing is so many people feel (and indeed claim) a stake in both the sport and the industry. But responsibility comes along with that. If we claim to represent the sport, we have to consider the harm our words can do, too. (1/2)

Handicap ratings don’t determine who the best horse is. Racing does that. They don’t determine who to bet. PPs and tote boards do. All they have to do is fill a starting gate with horses who can win on a given day. And we won’t have to guess as often if horse is in to win or sell

Reasonable to expect as more handicap races are run, the ratings will fall more into line. Clusters of similar horses (even if wrongly rated against each other but close enough to be in 10 pt range that puts them in same race) will sort themselves out on the racetrack.

Have been a proponent of a handicap system in racing for many years and not changing now. We need to promote keeping horses with owners who want them rather than forcing those horses to run for price tags just to compete. Kinks to work out but perfect can’t be enemy of good here

Seeing a lot of discussion about the Woodward’s short field and we are one of the owners that plan to run elsewhere with Awesome Aaron. Four stakes races in NY/KY/DE 8-9f on dirt this weekend. Don’t know that there’s one entity to blame but there aren’t enough horses for that.

NOGRADI makes his 1st US start in race 7 at @LaurelPark. @jockey_jb18 has the call for a 3:15pm post time. Switching over to @ColonialDowns, SIEGE OF BOSTON looks to get back to the winner’s circle in the race 7 allowance. He reunites with @jorgeruizjockey for a 6:52pm post.

A much-needed winner at a price!

NAME IT switches to turf today in the finale at @ColonialDowns. @VCarrasco28 retains the mount for a 4:25pm post time.

ROTHSCHILD gets back to the turf today at @ColonialDowns in race 7, and is ready to get a win! He teams up with @VCarrasco28 for the 1 1/4 trip. Post time is 3:32pm.

Winning at Saratoga is special—but winning your first ever race at The Spa? Unreal. Huge thanks to Norm for a stellar job and congrats to our partner @JustinTheNich. Looking forward to a big summer with I'm Wide Awake! 📸: Susie Raisher / Adam Coglianese

What a way to end the Belmont Stakes Raving Festival at Saratoga Congrats to @AJSuitedRacing @JustinTheNich & @NormCasse amazing job. Giddy Up!!!

This past week, the racing world lost a great man with the passing of Christophe Clement. I didn’t know Christophe personally, but I know many who did—and one thing is universally said about him: he enjoyed life. Deeply. Fully. Every single day. That resonates with me. If you’ve followed GiddyUpBets for a while, you’ve probably heard me say it before—life is short, and we need to enjoy it while we can. It’s not just a phrase I throw around; it’s something I believe deeply. Maybe even more so now. Christophe's passing made me think of my own father who also passed away before 60. He to also also lived with a joy that was impossible to miss. He loved the people around him, found happiness in the little things, and always reminded me to live in the moment. That kind of spirit is something we can all learn from—whether we're on the track, at home, or just going about our day. This sport we love can be tough—full of highs and lows, wins and losses—but it also brings us together. It gives us reasons to cheer, to connect, to hope. Let’s not forget to soak it in. Let’s not forget to enjoy it. So here’s to Christophe, to my dad, and to everyone who teaches us—by example—to truly LIVE. Take that extra moment. Call someone you love. Watch the morning workouts and smile at a stranger. Back a longshot. Enjoy life. Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about. God Bless Giddy Up Love @MarkDiLoJr & The Little Man Following is the message from Christophe Clement via @raypaulick Report: paulickreport.com/news/people/en…

@LauraKingDXB Let us know when you come over!

Not just our little horse racing social media community but the sport as a whole lost a friend and an ambassador this week. My thoughts go to his family and the many folks here who knew him well. Just unfair

About a dozen years ago, my INTERN invited me to a Member-Guest at some new course he joined on Sea Island. I legit almost said “No Thanks”. But i went. It quickly became my favorite place and event on the planet. We’ve played 15-20 tournaments down there since. More fun than anything i can describe. Also, I own 10x more Frederica gear than appropriate. No Apologies. Thanks @@JustinTheNich - won’t ever take these opportunities for granted. But you’re never getting rid of me now.