Steve Margolis

Al Roehl, a Thoroughbred owner and regular participant in handicapping contests, died on March 24 in Lexington, KY after a brief illness. Among peers, his handicapping skills earned him spots in various challenges including national tournaments. He owned racehorses both with his wife Jan, and in small partnerships. His past runners include Prayer Service, an allowance winner at Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park and Ellis Park. The gelding is retired at the Roehl's Lexington farm after being retrained to pull a carriage. "Al was always fun," said Steve Margolis, who was...

The concept of the super trainer is by no means a new phenomenon in horse racing, but the huge stables run by super trainers have undoubtedly changed the landscape of the sport in many ways, from the backside to the racing entries. Are super trainers bad for the sport?  Are there any benefits for an owner in using a "smaller" trainer? We asked these questions and more to a few trainers who may not be considered super trainers in terms of their stall numbers, but they have made the most...