The accompanying letter provides perspective. A fan organization has been lacking too long.  Saratogians, race fans and every aspect of the racing game are showing great enthusiasm for www.thorofan.com. Everyone is glad to see energy directed in positive directions for the right reasons. This organization can make a difference. I encourage you to look them over. They look like a safe bet.

For those of you who have been following my articles, I don’t think it will surprise you to learn I’ve teamed up with Michael Amo, Niki Rowe and Joanne Yepsen in their endeavor. Ordinarily,

I’m a little like Groucho Marx when it comes to joining organizations, “I’m not too sure I want to belong to anything that would have me as a member,” - not this time, we fit hand and glove.

Once I got to know these people and saw their effort was for the sport and not for their profit, I grabbed a handful of mane and jumped on. What a ride it’s been so far. I haven’t worked this hard since I was at Turf Paradise trying to make a living with  $1000 claimers when the bottom was $1500.

In racing, it is a fortunate circumstance when you find the conditions of the race perfect for your horse. Enter in those races and the odds for winning are greatly improved. This organization is determined to put racing in the winner’s circle. By the time you read this, you will be seeing pictures of THOROFAN there. Other organizations call their purpose, mission statements; we did too but just to share with you a little racing education, think of it this way:  Our purpose is like the conditions of a race. If you were training us, you would pick up the condition book and this is the race you would choose to put us in.

RACE # 1

For racing fans two years old and up who advocate quality racing, safe tracks, sound horses, fan participation and retirement for horses no longer fit to run, tradition is honored and history appreciated. Foul play disqualifies. If you are ready to run for a good cause, I suggest you enter.    

For months, I have been pontificating on many of the issues that Thorofan is poised to address.

These board members are graded stakes winners and I feel good to be associated with them. Marion Van Berg would smile if he could see me now. I still remember standing on that bank at the 3/8 pole at AK-SAR-BEN hanging onto the cyclone fence and watching Perfect Company work. Mr. Van Berg was there to see a pair of colts breeze. He asked me about my mare. I was elated that he noticed her and proudly told him, “she’s by Phalanx and out of a Fisherman mare.”

He was impressed and it made me feel very proud. When we descended the bank he said, “Young lady, I’m guessing you’re going to be around a while so always remember one thing; keep yourself in the best of company, and your horses in the worst.”  I’m smiling as I write, remembering that grand old man and realizing how proud he would be to see me affiliated with these people and applying myself to this purpose.

Good Luck THOROFAN.

From the Winners Circle

Marilyn Lane, a freelance writer, has a lifelong association with horses. Her experience includes more than 20 years as an owner, trainer and breeder of thoroughbreds. She was an assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg during Alysheba’s racing career. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it