The First Saturday In May

The horse racing world like all areas of society continues to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Racetracks across America have either adjourned live racing or prohibited anyone other than essential employees from entering. Many tracks have cancelled or postponed meets during their respective April/May seasons. But racing continues at a few tracks across the country that have instituted … Continue reading The First Saturday In May

thesaratoganApril 28, 2020Leave a comment

Gulfstream Park, horse racing, Lifestyle, Wagering

New Race For Gulfstream Park

While competition remains halted at many racetracks around the country, Gulfstream Park is still going strong. On Saturday they host a newly written 3-year-old Stakes Race-the $75,000 dollar Unbridled Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. It is the feature race of the day and it drew an interesting field of seven horses, including familiar names from the Kentucky Derby trail. The Unbridled Stakes is Race … Continue reading New Race For Gulfstream Park

thesaratoganApril 25, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle

Jose Isolation

When jockey Jose Ortiz purchased land in Ocala, Florida in 2018, it was partly done with an eye toward the distant future. Those 20 acres in the heart of Florida horse country would someday be the young rider’s landing place in retirement. Near term, Ortiz, 26, planned on visiting his farm whenever he could to check on the retired Thoroughbreds he and his wife, Taylor, … Continue reading Jose Isolation

thesaratoganApril 23, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, Santa Anita

‘Big Money’ Mike Smith

As a guest Saturday on Horse Racing Radio Network 54-year-old Mike Smith told host Mike Penna that he wants to get back to riding as soon as possible, amid a shutdown at Santa Anita Park. “Another two to three years if all goes well.” That was Smith’s response when asked how much longer he would like to continue to ride. Enshrined in the National Museum of … Continue reading ‘Big Money’ Mike Smith

thesaratoganApril 21, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Oaklawn Park, Wagering

Apple Blossom Special

The pickings are slim this weekend for Kentucky Derby prep races to preview and handicap. That said, there is the very competitive, Grade 1 $600,000 dollar Apple Blossom Handicap being run Saturday at Oaklawn Park. A full field of 14 fillies and mares are scheduled to travel the 1 1/16 mile circuit. The Apple Blossom is Race 10 on a card of 11 with a … Continue reading Apple Blossom Special

thesaratoganApril 18, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle

Mid-Week Trivia

Here’s a little racing quiz that will help keep your thoroughbred mind sharp as you’re being quarantined, and going through Kentucky Derby withdrawal. Answers appear at the end…no peaking. 1. Who is the last filly to Win a Triple Crown race? 2. What was the first race to offer a purse of $1 million in North America? 3. Which horse holds the speed record in … Continue reading Mid-Week Trivia

thesaratoganApril 16, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, Wagering

The WIN Bet

As Daily Racing Blog readers are well aware, there are numerous ways to wager on a horse race in this day and age. And the one bet that should never be overlooked is perhaps the oldest. While the payoff on a Win bet might be dwarfed by a Trifecta or Superfecta, its simplicity and effectiveness can help ensure turning a profit on your wagers. Of … Continue reading The WIN Bet

thesaratoganApril 14, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Oaklawn Park, Wagering

Oaklawn Stakes Picks

The Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park was moved to May 2nd after Churchill Downs pushed the Kentucky Derby back to September. The $200,000 dollar Oaklawn Stakes will run on Saturday at nine furlongs and offer three automatic berths to the Arkansas Derby to its top finishers. The Oaklawn Stakes is Race 11 on a card of 12, with a scheduled Post Time of 6:48. … Continue reading Oaklawn Stakes Picks

thesaratoganApril 11, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, Oaklawn Park

Jockey Out-Runs Covid-19

Jockey Javier Castellano plans on returning to competitive riding on May 1st at Oaklawn Park, 37 days after testing positive for coronavirus, per a report from turf writer David Grening. The Hall of Fame rider has not raced since March 15th, nine days before testing positive for the COVID-19 virus on March 24th. Castellano returned to New York on Tuesday, after spending two weeks at … Continue reading Jockey Out-Runs Covid-19

thesaratoganApril 9, 2020Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, Wagering

The Value Is Out There

The adage goes; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So too then, Value wagering is in the eye of the bettor. As much as ascertaining Value is a key element in handicapping a race, it’s as subjective as any other part of trying to pick a Winner. What could be an overlay to one bettor just might be seen as an underlay by … Continue reading The Value Is Out There

thesaratoganApril 7, 2020Leave a comment

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Author: thesaratogan