Team Effort; Red & Ron

SECRETARIAT, arguably the greatest race horse of all time, would have been fifty years of age on March 31st.  Big Red passed away in 1989. But one can not celebrate the birthday of the mighty Triple Crown champion without pointing to jockey Ron Turcotte, and recognizing him as an integral member of a dynamite team. Watching replays of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes … Continue reading Team Effort; Red & Ron

Horse People Helping Out

As the planet learns to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, most people do what they can to survive.  Others use their creativity and innovation to help serve those in need. The medical community — those on the front line caring for patients infected with the virus, is perhaps the most affected.  Beyond the physical and emotional demands of their jobs, access to equipment and supplies … Continue reading Horse People Helping Out

NYRA & Aqueduct Step Up

New York State will build a 1,000-bed emergency hospital at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens to try to help the region accommodate the expected surge of COVID-19 patients in the weeks to come. This construction was announced March 28th by New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo. The remainder of the winter and spring meets at Aqueduct have been canceled.  Racing was originally scheduled to conclude at the … Continue reading NYRA & Aqueduct Step Up

Florida Derby In Doubt

Broward County Florida has put a ban on conducting non-essential business amid the Coronavirus pandemic.  The city of Hallandale Beach (in Broward County) is where Gulfstream Park is located. With the track’s signature Florida Derby (G1) set for Saturday, newspaper reports indicate that Gulfstream has threatened legal action should local government stand in its way. “They need to stop the racing,”  said Hallandale Beach Vice … Continue reading Florida Derby In Doubt

Racing Against Corona

While the Coronavirus has transformed the sporting landscape, leaving fans with almost nothing to watch or wager on, horse racing has remained an option, particularly for gamblers isolated at home.  The Sport Of Kings continues at many tracks, albeit without spectators in the grandstands.  But don’t be mislead, COVID-19 has broken from the gate and caused many changes and cancellations in the Thoroughbred Racing World.   … Continue reading Racing Against Corona

The Louisiana Derby

This edition of the Grade 2, $1 million dollar Louisiana Derby for 3-year-olds comes with one big change.  The race now measures 1 & 3/16 miles, giving most of these 2020 Kentucky Derby hopefuls a true stamina test before heading to Churchill Downs in September. The Louisiana Derby is the final race of the day at the Fairgrounds on a card of 12.  Scheduled  Post … Continue reading The Louisiana Derby

Displaced Derby

For decades, horse trainers have worked hard to ensure that their best 3-year-old Thoroughbreds are ready to deliver peak performances on the first Saturday in May, the annual date of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs. But due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Churchill Downs announced on Saint Patrick’s Day that the 2020 Kentucky Derby will be postponed from May 2nd and moved … Continue reading Displaced Derby

May Kentucky Derby In Jeopardy?

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic Churchill Downs Inc. will make an announcement at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday in regard to the timing of the 2020 Kentucky Derby. Currently the Run For The Roses is scheduled for May 2nd.  The Derby has always been a time-sensitive event given that it is restricted to 3-year-olds and begins the prestigious Triple Crown series. There has been much speculation after a … Continue reading May Kentucky Derby In Jeopardy?