The Sleepy Hollow Stakes was the 8th race at Belmont@Aqueduct this past Sunday. For the second year in a row a Linda Rice trained colt Won this race. This year it was EL GRANDE O, ridden by Jose Ortiz, who (as usual) kept his head in the race. But why Sleepy Hollow Stakes? Stakes races are usually named after horses, trainers, or other legendary horse people- not small towns on the Hudson. … Continue reading The Headless Horseman
New York racing relocates back downstate to its temporary Autumn home at Aqueduct Park as the renovation project at Belmont continues. The 2023 Belmont at the Big A race meet is ready to commence on September 14th. The traditional Belmont Park fall meet, filled with big purses and loaded with important races, will once again be held at Aqueduct in 2023 for a 28-day season that will run four … Continue reading Belmont @ The Big A
PackHarvey Pack, a pioneer in the field of on-air racing personalities whose curmudgeonly personality and dry sense of humor made him a favorite among New York horseplayers. With the opening of Saratoga less than a week away, a tribute to Harvey seems appropriate. Mr. Pack passed away in July of 2021, he was 94. He was born and raised on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and … Continue reading Mr. Harvey Pack
The Grade 2, $750,000 dollar Wood Memorial is Saturday at Aqueduct. The 1 1/8-mile race attracted a field of thirteen 3-year-olds who will compete for the 100-40-30-20-10 points that go to the top five eligible finishers. Here is a look at that field. 1. DREAMLIKE [ML 7-2] Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Was a $975,000 yearling purchase who did not make his first start until … Continue reading Who Delivers The Wood ?
For the most part, the $750,000 dollar, Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct has been a predictable race on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Case in point, 11 of the last 12 Winners have started at single-digit odds, including nine who offered odds less than 9-2. One reason why the Wood Memorial is so predictable is that it tends to be Won by similar horses … Continue reading Wood Winning Angles
The New York State road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby reaches its terminus Saturday. Aqueduct Park will host the Empire State’s premier Kentucky Derby prep race- the $750,000 dollar Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes. The race is contested at 1 ⅛ miles on the main track at the Queens facility. The Wood was a Grade 1 from 1973 to 1994, and again from 2002 to 2016. There … Continue reading The Wood Memorial
Over 100 people, including union members, backstretch workers, trainers, veterinarians and farmers gathered Monday in Albany, NY. in support of a plan to modernize Belmont Park. The plan, according to a press release, promises significant new job creation and as much as $1 billion in one-time economic impacts while freeing up 110 acres of state-owned land at Aqueduct Racetrack for future development. The project was … Continue reading Belmont Park Makeover ?
Mother Nature is undefeated in ALL her starts and the streak continued last week as single-digit temperatures and high-winds KO’d last Saturday’s Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Park. The rescheduled $250,000, 1 1/8-mile Derby prep is set to go on Saturday (2/11) at the Big A and the skies look clear for takeoff. A field of seven (up from six last week) will break from the starting … Continue reading Who Wins The Withers ?
The New York State road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby moves on this Saturday, with the 143rd edition of the $250,000 Grade 3 Withers Stakes. Named after prominent 19th-century owner David Withers, the race was held for the first time in 1874 at Jerome Park. It has been held at several different tracks, but has been run at Aqueduct Park since 1997. Historically held in the spring, the Withers was … Continue reading The Withers Stakes
The New York Race Track Chaplaincy announced Wednesday that it will pay tribute to Tracy and Todd Pletcher for their generous and continued support of the New York backstretch community. The couple will be honored at the Chaplaincy’s 16th annual fund-raising brunch to be held on August 16th at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY. “The Pletchers have demonstrated a deep commitment … Continue reading In Todd & Wife They Trust
