Poplar jockey Manuel Franco tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and will remain off his mounts until Sunday, January 9th, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. All members of the NYRA jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. In addition, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct have been substantially altered to provide maximum physical distancing and reduce density. Franco is best remembered for … Continue reading Covid Scratches Jockey
The 38th Breeders’ Cup Championships are set for November 5-6 at Del Mar Race Course. Ever since the late John Gaines’ vision became a reality back in 1984 with the inaugural Breeders’ Cup at Hollywood Park, the event has brought together the best of the best in the horse world to compete in a group of races that offer both money (huge purses) and prestige (influencing the year-end Eclipse … Continue reading Breeders’ Cup Is Special
He broke into the thoroughbred racing business working as an assistant (1989-95) to legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Since hanging out his own training shingle, Todd Pletcher has Won 60 individual meet trainer titles as well as Winning 708 Graded Stakes, including 166 Grade 1’s. The 53-year-old Pletcher holds records for career earnings ($405,791,977) and Eclipse Awards and ranks 7th in Wins (5,118). He’s Won … Continue reading Pletcher Makes Hall Of Fame
A field of eight 3-year-olds will start in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. This is the smallest field since 2015, and it is the first time since 2010 that there are no horses that have competed in all three legs of the Triple Crown. The field includes five horses that appeared in the Kentucky Derby (G1) five weeks ago and two that ran in … Continue reading The Belmont Stakes Winner Is…
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
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
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
