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
The 2022 horse racing season is coming to a close. There is certainly much to look back on, but for the sake of brevity and attention span, we’ll limit our trip down memory lane to a four race sprint. THE KENTUCKY DERBY: A horse acquired for a claiming tag is not supposed to go on to Win the Kentucky Derby. In fact, no one had done … Continue reading 2022 Racing In Review
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
CIGAR was a horse that showed modest turf ability, but transformed into a legend on dirt, illustrating just how critical a trainer’s role can be. The son of PALACE MUSIC went unraced at 2 before Winning two of nine starts the following season for his first trainer, Alex Hassinger Jr. CIGAR finished his 3-year-old campaign with earnings of $89,175 but could not Win in Stakes competition. At … Continue reading A Classic CIGAR
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
The 154th Belmont Stakes developed into quite a wonderful New York story. Veteran owner Mike Repole, who proudly identifies himself as Mike from Queens, enjoyed a one-two finish with MO DONEGAL and the filly NEST, Saturday at Belmont Park– in the race he’s desired more than any other. “It’s a 40-year dream,” said an emotional Repole, 53. “Coming to this track and Aqueduct, being a kid from New York, this is … Continue reading King Of Queens & Belmont
