By now you've probably been nudged by someone to join Google+, but what is it? In a nutshell, it's Google's social media answer to Facebook. But it's different.

Google+ allows you to organize the people you have relationships with online, whether they are friends, family, acquaintances, or business folks. That's what it calls "circles."

At this stage it isn't the "go-to" social media for business outreach, but it seems like a good way to filter your correspondence with the people you are associated with and share specific things with specific groups of friends, family, or acquaintances.

There is a lot more Google+ can do or will do, some of which could be used for business. For example, Google+ Hangouts is where 10 or more people can be on a single video chat. That might be a nice way to have a weekly sales meeting with some of your employees who are not in the main office.

As Google+ grows and matures, we'll keep and eye on it to see how it can be best used for business applications. If you want more on the basics, simply click here to read more and watch videos about what Google+ is and how it works.

By now you've probably been nudged by someone to join Google+, but what is it? In a nutshell, it's Google's social media answer to Facebook. But it's different.

Google+ allows you to organize the people you have relationships with online, whether they are friends, family, acquaintances, or business folks. That's what it calls "circles."

At this stage it isn't the "go-to" social media for business outreach, but it seems like a good way to filter your correspondence with the people you are associated with and share specific things with specific groups of friends, family, or acquaintances.

There is a lot more Google+ can do or will do, some of which could be used for business. For example, Google+ Hangouts is where 10 or more people can be on a single video chat. That might be a nice way to have a weekly sales meeting with some of your employees who are not in the main office.

As Google+ grows and matures, we'll keep and eye on it to see how it can be best used for business applications. If you want more on the basics, simply click here to read more and watch videos about what Google+ is and how it works.

The KER racehorses were busy last week!

Caspar's Friend, the last of the 3-year-olds to make his debut, made a big impression in his first appearance on the track. Casper finished second in a Maiden Special Weight over 5 ½ furlongs at Turfway February 27. The chart notes that he ran four wide but made a bid for the win. Good boy!

Ticky, who had his first start along with Harry on February 13, is having a temporary break at KER's research facility in Versailles. He needed a little break due to a suspected foot bruise, so Dr. Joe Pagan opted to bring him home to castrate him at the same time. (Perhaps it's spring fever, but as the weather's warmed up, his focus has wandered from training to the attention of any females in the vicinity.)

Ticky was hand-grazed in a paddock for the first couple of days that he was back on the farm, then graduated to individual turnout. With his slick gray coat and track-fit form, he certainly stands out against the herd of research horses!

The two 2-year-olds at the facility, Barossa Gold and Fair Dinkum, have also started their training in a round pen. They have both been introduced to tack and should be carrying a rider soon.

Feeding young horses in race training can be difficult, as nutrients must be supplied for both growth and exercise.

We rely on KER Team Member Hallway Feeds to provide optimal nutrition for these up-and-coming athletes. All three of the horses are on Hallway's Race 13, a fully fortified textured sweet feed that boasts an impressive list of champions. Learn more about KER Team Members.

The boys are also on two joint supplements, KER•Flex and Synovate HA.

Read more about feeding the young equine athlete.

Just Like Harry (Harry) and Mysterious Noise (Ticky) made their first starts yesterday at Turfway. Both of the boys debuted in the ninth race, a Maiden Special Weight contested over 5.5 furlongs. Both came from behind to finish well; Harry finished third to show and Ticky was right behind him in fourth. See photos.

Dr. Joe Pagan would prefer to keep them out of claiming races, so finding an appropriate venue for the three maiden starters has been a challenge. When the right race came along at the right time for two of them, we encountered an interesting issue--we only had one pair of KER silks made! Ticky ended up running in his trainer's stable silks.

The other 3-year-old, Caspar's Friend, is also expected to start soon. Stay tuned for updates.

Excitement is building as the 3-year-olds' trainers start looking for the right debut races for each of their charges.

Harry and Ticky will likely be entered in maiden races at Turfway in the next couple of weeks. Casper's trainer says he needs one more good work before he starts, so his debut is also likely to come soon.

You can follow along with their training progress and entries at Equibase.com. Search by horse name to find their records:

• Mysterious Noise (Ticky)
• Just Like Harry (Harry)
• Caspar's Friend (Casper)

The new 2-year-olds remain on pasture for the winter, but have completed one important step--they both have new names:

• Barossa Gold (Petionville-Regal Boot)
• Fair Dinkum (E Dubai-Princess Eloise)

KER's racehorses-in-training are continuing in their preparations for the track at the Thoroughbred Center. The most recent milestones in their education have been official recorded works.

Here are their results on December 11:

The "rank" refers to how well they performed against the other horses that worked that day.

With these three shaping up, the question is when and where they'll make their first starts.

Stay tuned!

Not on the track, but on the television!

Harry's star turn on the Discovery channel's hit show "Dirty Jobs" will premier November 30 at 9 p.m. 

Harry, a 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt, demonstrated an exercise test on KER's high-speed equine treadmill for the show.

Read more about filming with the "Dirty Jobs" crew.

The trainers report Ticky has returned to galloping and is looking good following his slight strain, while Casper and Harry are on temporary hiatus; Casper ran into some minor shin issues and Harry was recently gelded. Both should be resuming work soon.

Hero, who didn't show much aptitude for the track, was working undersaddle as a prospective eventer but fell and unfortunately broke his tail! He's recovering well and will be back to work shortly.

While that group continues in their preparations for the track and show ring, Dr. Pagan added some new stock to the KER farm in the form of two Thoroughbred yearlings from the recent Fasig Tipton sale.

The first is a chestnut colt by E Dubai and out of the Chief's Crown mare Princess Eloise.

The second, also a chestnut colt, is out of the Storm Boot mare Regal Boot, by Petionville. Their names are pending.

In the months since the 2-year-olds transitioned from the Kentucky Equine Research (KER) facility in Versailles to the care of trainers, their education has continued to progress.

Casper and Harry, now in the care of Scooter Hughes, are expected to have their first starts sometime later this year. They recently started their first light breezes.

Ticky, trained by Kellyn Gorder, was backed off slightly after a minor strain but is expected to be back in work within a couple weeks. He had one official breeze registered, in which he covered three furlongs in 39.4.

All three boys got their tattoos last week, making them official racehorse prospects.

Another piece of the journey to the starting gate, the official KER racing silks were recently approved and are in production.