A.P. INDY

A.P. INDY was seemingly born to greatness. He was sired by Triple Crown Winner SEATTLE SLEW. His successful dam (mother), WEEKEND SURPRISE, was no surprise, as she was sired by SECRETARIAT, another Triple Crown Champion. Wealthy, ambitious owners will pay massive sums for such regal bloodlines, so it was no surprise that Japanese owner Tomonori Tsurumaki went to $2.9 million dollars before the auctioneer’s hammer … Continue reading A.P. INDY

White Lightning

SODASHI became the first pure white horse to Win a Japanese Grade 1 race when the 2-year-old daughter of the gray American-bred KUROFUNE Won Sunday’s 72nd running of the $1.3-million Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Hanshin Racecourse. Ridden by Hayato Yoshida, and trained by Naosuke Sugai, she nosed out SATONO REINAS and CHRISOPHE LEMAIRE. SODASHI covered the one mile turf course in 1:32.40. The Win … Continue reading White Lightning

Pegasus World Cup Is Back For 2021

The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series is returning to Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Launched in 2017 the Pegasus World Cup has evolved into a Championship Invitational Series featuring two Grade I stakes races with a combined $4 million dollars in purses. The GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, run on the dirt at 1 1/8 miles, offers a $3-million total purse. The … Continue reading Pegasus World Cup Is Back For 2021

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche

Kendrick Carmouche wished his fellow New York riders much success as they left to compete in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland during the first weekend in November. He didn’t worry about not having any mounts with which to join them on the global thoroughbred stage. He didn’t fret because he recognized the opportunity — and was determined to capitalize on it. With most of the … Continue reading Jockey Kendrick Carmouche

A Classic New York Bred

Nick Zito grew up near Aqueduct Racetrack. His father would take him to the track as a young lad. But back in the day there were age restrictions on admission to the track. So the elder Zito would leave young Nicholas with a friend of his, who just happened to be a security guard at the Big A. It was there and then that Zito … Continue reading A Classic New York Bred

TV Coverage Wrapping Up For The Year

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Friday that America’s Day at the Races will broadcast its final edition of 2020 with coverage and analysis of Saturday’s Grade 1, $250,000 dollar Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Racetrack. Presented by America’s Best Racing and Claiborne Farms, America’s Day at the Races will air Saturday from 1-4:30 p.m. on MSG+ and 3:30-4:30 p.m. on FS2. The Cigar Mile … Continue reading TV Coverage Wrapping Up For The Year

Mr. Bill Mott

As teenagers, some youngsters tend to think the world is theirs for the taking. Not so for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Mr. Mott did not dream big as a youth. “I was 18 years old and hauling horses around in a two-horse trailer to the bush tracks,” recalled the native of Mobridge, South Dakota. “I never imagined training for anybody else other than … Continue reading Mr. Bill Mott

Covid Shuts Down Woodbine

On Friday November 20th the Government of Ontario disclosed that Toronto will be entering the Province’s Grey Lockdown phase of coronavirus-related restrictions. As a result Woodbine Entertainment announced that Sunday November 22nd would be the last day of Thoroughbred racing in the Province for 2020. The second half of that Sunday card, de facto closing day for Woodbine, was scrapped due to severe weather. Races … Continue reading Covid Shuts Down Woodbine

Hi-Yo SILVER

There are numerous reasons to explain why a long list of outstanding horses were thwarted in their bid to become a Triple Crown Champion. Some are predictable; others are surprising. Premature moves, suicidal paces, injuries, medications, exhaustion and bad trips have all played a role in the Triple Crown drought that stood at 37 years until AMERICAN PHAROAH completed the sweep in 2015. There was … Continue reading Hi-Yo SILVER

NOLO Thanksgiving

Formally established in 1872, Fair Grounds Race Course is the 3rd-oldest racetrack in North America. Live racing at the historic New Orleans venue was conducted as early as 1852 when pre-Civil War Louisiana was considered the Southern center of competitive Thoroughbred Racing. The Fair Grounds was destroyed by fire on December 17th, 1993.  The blaze leveled the old grandstand, and all its surroundings.  Over a four-year period, … Continue reading NOLO Thanksgiving