The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. As such, it has seen a fair share of upsets- the majority of which have occurred in the last 50 years. During the post-World War II era, 20 horses have come into the Belmont Stakes with Wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, only to have their bid for immortality denied. In … Continue reading Historic Belmont Upsets
This year’s Belmont Stakes will be held June 5th at Belmont Park. While there is no Triple Crown on the line, the race is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most competitive editions in recent memory. The COVID-19 pandemic turned the 2020 Triple Crown calendar up-side-down, as the Kentucky Derby was postponed to the first Saturday in September, and the Preakness Stakes moved … Continue reading Belmont Knowledge
The Belmont Stakes is noted for being the final leg of the Triple Crown, but it is so much more than that. From its history to fun facts, here is a basic Belmont primer- giving the uninitiated all the information needed in order to appreciate the huge day of racing at Belmont Park. WHO: Elite 3-Year-Old Thoroughbreds. Winning the Belmont Stakes is literally a once-in-a-lifetime chance … Continue reading The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is Saturday, June 5th. Trainer Bob Baffert had not committed any horses to run in the third leg of the Triple Crown. He did however consider entering other horses in his barn in various races on the card that day. But not so fast Baffy. The New York Racing Association has stepped in to quell the idea of any Baffert horses running … Continue reading New York Racing Association Sends A Message
The Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, for the past 70 years, have been proving grounds for a long list of Thoroughbred racing’s greatest Champions. Some horses, though, transcend the sport’s most famous stages. Horses like KELSO. KELSO never ran in a Triple Crown race and his legendary career ended some 18 years before the Breeders’ Cup even began. Yet in eight years of racing, … Continue reading The Amazing KELSO
Jockeys Trevor McCarthy and Katie Davis were married (small ceremony) back in mid-December. But just this week they received a wedding gift they were not expecting. The couple were stunned to learn that due to New York State Gaming Commission rules, their horses must be coupled (#1 & #1A) in the Wagering whenever they ride in the same race at New York Racing Association tracks. … Continue reading Till Death Or NYRA Do Them Part
He has been a year-round force on the New York Racing Circuit for the past several years. But not this year- jockey Junior Alvarado has returned to south Florida for the winter months to compete at Gulfstream Park, where he rode his first Winner in the United States back in 2007. “It’s around 12 years since I’ve ridden full time here. I’m pretty happy to … Continue reading Junior The Snow-Bird
A.P. INDY was seemingly born to greatness. He was sired by Triple Crown Winner SEATTLE SLEW. His successful dam (mother), WEEKEND SURPRISE, was no surprise, as she was sired by SECRETARIAT, another Triple Crown Champion. Wealthy, ambitious owners will pay massive sums for such regal bloodlines, so it was no surprise that Japanese owner Tomonori Tsurumaki went to $2.9 million dollars before the auctioneer’s hammer … Continue reading A.P. INDY
Kendrick Carmouche wished his fellow New York riders much success as they left to compete in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland during the first weekend in November. He didn’t worry about not having any mounts with which to join them on the global thoroughbred stage. He didn’t fret because he recognized the opportunity — and was determined to capitalize on it. With most of the … Continue reading Jockey Kendrick Carmouche
Nick 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 … Continue reading A Classic New York Bred
