Belmont @ The Big A

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

Mr. Harvey Pack

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

2023 Belmont Stakes Jockeys

Some of the best 3-year-old horses in the country and their riders are set to face off on Saturday, at Belmont Park in the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the romp in the park by SECRETARIAT, when Big Red demoralized the field on his way to Victory and the Triple Crown. On that day fifty years ago the G.O.A.T. was … Continue reading 2023 Belmont Stakes Jockeys

Historic Belmont Stakes Upsets

The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races, and given its longevity the contest has seen its fair share of upsets, with the majority of those have come in roughly the last third of the race’s 154-year history. During the post-World War II era, 20 horses have come into the Belmont Stakes with Wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, … Continue reading Historic Belmont Stakes Upsets

Advance Deposit Wagering

Over the past 17 years, ADW (Advance-Deposit Wagering) companies have established a permanent, and growing, foothold in the industry, constantly rolling out new technologies and promotions that have expanded the ways people can bet. Most of the basic principles of handicapping horse racing are just as valid when using an ADW account as they are at the track. Many folks grew accustomed to making online bets during Covid, when some/most … Continue reading Advance Deposit Wagering

Belmont Park To Get Synthetic Surface

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced plans to install a synthetic track at Belmont Park. The one-mile synthetic oval will be located to the inside of the inner turf course and will serve as the fourth Belmont racing surface to complement the existing main track and two turf courses. This project, among others, is part of the NYRA FY2023 capital budget, which was … Continue reading Belmont Park To Get Synthetic Surface

Belmont Park Makeover ?

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 ?

In Todd & Wife They Trust

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

2022 Racing In Review

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

Belated Birthday Greetings

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