Spa Fever

There is no finer setting for thoroughbred racing than historic Saratoga Race Course. It was named one of the world’s top 10 sporting venues of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated. This year’s meet runs from July 11th through Labor Day.  Many of the sport’s top owners, trainers, jockeys, and horses, along with hundreds of thousands of zealous and devoted fans will gather in Saratoga Springs … Continue reading Spa Fever

Queen’s Plate Stakes

A race for three year-olds, run at a distance of a mile and a quarter, held at the host countries most famous racetrack…gotta be the Kentucky Derby, right?  Except it’s held on the last Saturday in June, not the first Saturday in May. We’re talking about the 160th running of the Queen’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada.  Indeed, the Queen’s Plate is The … Continue reading Queen’s Plate Stakes

Santa Anita / Breeders Cup ?

The Breeders’ Cup board of directors meets on Thursday, June 27th, and a key topic for discussion will certainly be whether or not to maintain the organization’s commitment to hold this year’s two-day championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, on Nov. 1st and 2nd. It would seem that things are just too hot out there, and not worth taking a chance of running … Continue reading Santa Anita / Breeders Cup ?

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Summer officially kicked off on Friday June 21, which means big horse racing weekends are just around the corner, leading off with the Stars And Stripes Racing Festival on July 6th at Belmont Park. After that, as most race fans are aware, there are two spectacular meets that begin in mid-July, and they anchor a summer calendar that overflows with big-event excitement and elite Thoroughbred … Continue reading Hot Fun In The Summertime

Saratoga Dreaming

There are certain thoroughbred race horses that always battle back.  They dig in down the home stretch, and find a reserve of power that propels them across the wire. The type of  animal that continually reminds us of the exhilaration that comes from giving everything, pushing to, and possibly beyond limitation.  These beautiful stallions sate our hunger for something that was once perhaps grand and … Continue reading Saratoga Dreaming

A Saratoga Primer

1. Saratoga Race Course is the oldest sports venue in the United States. The track opened for business in 1863, making it the oldest sporting venue in the entire United States.  If you love horses and/or history, Saratoga is a bucket-list destination. 2. It’s one of the most elite racing meets in the world. Over its 155-year history, Saratoga has hosted some of the greatest … Continue reading A Saratoga Primer

The Stephen Foster Stakes

A competitive field of 12 horses will run in this year’s edition of the $600,000 dollar Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday night.  The race is named in honor of American composer Stephen Foster, known as the Father Of American Music.  He wrote over two hundred songs, including “Old Folks at Home”, “Camptown Races”, and “My Old Kentucky Home”. It is the first Breeders’ … Continue reading The Stephen Foster Stakes

The Summer Place To Be

It was August 3rd, 1863 when gambler, casino owner, ex-boxer, and future congressman John Morrissey organized the first thoroughbred horse racing meet in Saratoga.  It was one month after the Battle of Gettysburg, and (the meet) spanned out over four days at the old dirt track on Union Avenue.  Over 5,000 people attended to watch, and wager on eight races. After the success of this … Continue reading The Summer Place To Be

Triple Crown Season Over

The odd, controversial Triple Crown season ended Saturday with another eye-opening performance as SIR WINSTON Won the Belmont Stakes from off the pace at 10-1 odds. With the exception of the upset Victory, the Belmont was relatively uneventful when compared to the first two races of the series.  The Kentucky Derby (the most exciting 22 minutes in sports) featured a disqualification over a rider’s objection.  … Continue reading Triple Crown Season Over