For all of the sun and fun rolled into summertime racing, the fall/winter racing season in the northeast occasionally brings inclement weather. Unlike baseball, Horse Racing usually goes on before, during, and after a rain/snow storm and there are some general handicapping concepts that you should keep on hand for… a rainy day. First off, keep in mind that racetracks can be like apples and … Continue reading Dirty Money
The Daily Racing Blog wishes the incomparable Johnny Velazquez a belated Happy Birthday. The Hall Of Fame jockey celebrated his 51st lap around the solar track yesterday (Thanksgiving). A native of Puerto Rico, Johnny V as he’s affectionately known, is Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading money Winning jockey, with career purse earnings of more than $446 million from 6,357 Wins. A Winner of three Kentucky Derbies, Velazquez has Won … Continue reading Belated Birthday Greetings
The 12th and final race of the card, on the last day of racing at Saratoga this summer was also the last call at The Spa for track announcer John Imbriale. Imbriale will retire as NYRA’s full-time track announcer at the end of 2022. While he will step away from the microphone at Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack, Imbriale will continue to serve as … Continue reading New NYRA Announcers
As teenagers, some/most youngsters tend to think the world is their oyster. Not so for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. He 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 myself.” As the son of a Veteran, … Continue reading Mr. Bill Mott
The Sleepy Hollow Stakes was the 10th and final race on the Belmont@Aqueduct card Sunday. The contest was Won by ARCTIC ARROGANCE a Linda Rice trained horse, ridden by Jose Lezcano, who 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. Famously described as … Continue reading The Headless Horseman
Nicholas Philip 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 felt he found his calling. … Continue reading A Classic New York Bred
There’s a bit of a twist in the New York racing schedule this fall. NYRA and crew always return downstate following the end of the Saratoga meet on Labor Day. But this year, instead of the usual fall meet at Belmont Park, racing will move to Aqueduct for a 28-day fall meet which will be referred to as Belmont at the Big A. A construction project … Continue reading Belmont At The Big A
Harvey Pack was a pioneer in the field of on-air racing personalities. His curmudgeonly personality and dry sense of humor made him a favorite among New York horseplayers. Harvey passed away last summer at his New York city apartment, due to complications from cancer. He was 94 years of age. Mr. Pack always comes to mind this time of year (Saratoga) as there are many … Continue reading Memories Of Harvey
Most of the fans in attendance at Aqueduct on July 4, 1972 probably had no idea that they had just witnessed the debut of one of the greatest horses who ever raced. For SECRETARIAT, it began 50 years ago today with a bad trip and a 4th-place finish in a Maiden special weight race with an $8,000 purse. It would be the worst performance of … Continue reading G.O.A.T. On The 4th Of July
Saturday’s Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial provides the final east coast opportunity for the 2022 Kentucky Derby contenders to reap qualifying points for the Run For The Roses, which is just a month away. The 1 1/8-mile event at Aqueduct will offer points to the top four finishers at the highest level of 100-40-20-10. The race is slated as race eight on a card of eleven, … Continue reading Who Wins The Wood ?
