The Pennsylvania Derby

The $1-million dollar Pennsylvania Derby is the premier racing event at Parx Racing just outside of Philadelphia. The race has turned into a top prep for 3-year-olds on their way to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Pennsylvania Derby was first held in 1979 and it achieved graded status in 1981.  On Saturday the track formerly known as Philadelphia Park will be the last opportunity for … Continue reading The Pennsylvania Derby

What A Travers !

Not very often does a racehorse Win a marquee race that cements his credentials as a top contender for an Eclipse Award and then gets overshadowed in most of the post-race discussions. But that’s what’s happening with Travers Stakes Winner FIERCENESS. No doubt about it, THORPEDO ANNA was fearless in gutting out a 2nd place finish to FIERCENESS in the Mid-Summer Derby at Saratoga, and the … Continue reading What A Travers !

Who Wins The Whitney ?

The $1 million dollar, Grade 1 Whitney Stakes is Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, it is one of the marquee summertime races in U.S. horse racing. The 1 1/8-mile dirt race is a qualifier in the Win and You’re In  Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, giving the Winner an automatic berth to the $7 million dollar BC Classic on November 2nd at Del Mar. Here is a brief look at the full field … Continue reading Who Wins The Whitney ?

NYRA Improving Surfaces

The one-mile Tapeta track currently under construction at Belmont Park will become the exclusive winter racing surface on the New York Racing Association circuit when the Long Island facility reopens in 2026, NYRA has announced. The change will result in approximately three months of racing exclusively on an all-weather surface with the shift from dirt to the all-weather in the winter months. This is expected … Continue reading NYRA Improving Surfaces

Belmont @ Saratoga Racing Schedule

The four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga will kickoff on Thursday, June 6th with a ten race card and a scheduled Post Time of 12:50. The four day festival which runs through Sunday June 9th will include 24 Stakes races with purses totaling $10.25 million dollars. The highlight of the festival, of course, is the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8th. Four … Continue reading Belmont @ Saratoga Racing Schedule

A Fierce Florida Derby ?

Saturday’s Florida Derby is a vital prep race that will earn 100 points for the Winner, thus guaranteeing a spot in the Kentucky Derby (normally, between 45 and 50 points is enough to get into the field). The Florida Derby features FIERCENESS, the Eclipse Award-Winning 2-year-old of 2023. Since last August, when he Won his first career start at Saratoga by over 11 lengths, it has … Continue reading A Fierce Florida Derby ?

Do The Rebel (Yell) Stakes

The Road to the Kentucky Derby runs through Oaklawn Park Saturday, for the $1.25 million dollar, Grade 2 Rebel Stakes. An ambitious field of 13 entrants is set to line up for this 1 1/16-mile event, with 50 qualifying Derby points going to the Winner. The race was inaugurated in 1961 as the Rebel Handicap, and was changed to the Rebel Stakes in 1984. That same year, the … Continue reading Do The Rebel (Yell) Stakes

Who Wins The Holy Bully Stakes?

Saturday is the Grade 3, $250,000 dollar Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.  It is is the first of three Derby preps at the Florida venue, and 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points are available to the top five eligible finishers. The 1 1/16-mile Stakes features the 2024 debut of FIERCENESS, last year’s 2-year-old Champion and Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Here is a look at the lineup for the … Continue reading Who Wins The Holy Bully Stakes?

A.P. INDY- What If ?

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. Good gosh, talk about royal progeny. 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 fell at the Keeneland July yearling … Continue reading A.P. INDY- What If ?

Del Mar To Host Back-Back Breeders’ Cup

It was announced last week that the Breeders’ Cup– one of Thoroughbred horse racing’s most prestigious international events, will be hosted by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club again in 2025. Having been announced previously as the host in 2024, the picturesque track will now host the World Championships in consecutive seasons. Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean in San Diego County, Del Mar … Continue reading Del Mar To Host Back-Back Breeders’ Cup