horse racing, Kentucky Derby, Lifestyle, Triple Crown

Derby Prep Races Are Underway

The two-year-old racing season is over, so happy belated birthday to all the 2026 Derby Contenders. The Road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby is open for business and traffic will be getting heavier as the Prep Races begin in earnest. Here is a basic primer/review about how horses qualify for the Run for the Roses. WHO: THREE-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBREDS: When you hear that Winning the Kentucky Derby is a once-in-a-lifetime event, that’s … Continue reading Derby Prep Races Are Underway

thesaratoganJanuary 6, 2026Leave a comment

Handicapping, horse racing, Jockeys, Kentucky Derby, Lifestyle, Oaklawn Park, Post Position, Trainers, Wagering

Who Wins The Smarty Jones Stakes?

Saturday is the $250,000 dollar Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The mile & 1/16th contest is a Kentucky Derby points race that offers 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. UNIVERSE [ML 3-1] Jockey: Joel Rosario. Trainer: Ken McPeek. Ran 2nd in a pair of Churchill Downs Graded Stakes races at this distance in his last two … Continue reading Who Wins The Smarty Jones Stakes?

thesaratoganJanuary 3, 2026Leave a comment

Handicapping, horse racing, Lifestyle, Wagering

C.A.W.

2026 is just a couple furlongs away and the issue of Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) is not going away with the flip of the calendar. The issue needs to be revisited given the extent to which it has grown. Bettor concerns are valid, and the question has always been whether any group- large or small, is given an unfair advantage that is not available to … Continue reading C.A.W.

thesaratoganDecember 30, 2025Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, Santa Anita

Santa Anita ‘Classic’ Meet

Every year horse racing fans have one final Christmas gift to unwrap when California racing celebrates opening day at Santa Anita Park. The post-holiday kickoff marks the start of the winter-spring Classic meet at one of the country’s premier venues. The traditional opening day for the Santa Anita winter and spring racing is December 26th- Boxing Day, but this year the track delayed its launch until Sunday, December 28th, due … Continue reading Santa Anita ‘Classic’ Meet

thesaratoganDecember 27, 2025Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, NYRA

Santa Hoofs

SANTA CLAUS (foaled in 1961) was a British-bred Irish trained racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 1964 the dark-coated bay stallion had his best year on the turf. There is no doubt that, back in the day, SANTA CLAUS brought a lot of joy (and cash) to the older boys and girls that believed in him. His most notable achievements were Winning the Irish 200 Guineas Stakes, as well … Continue reading Santa Hoofs

thesaratoganDecember 23, 2025December 23, 2025Leave a comment

Fair Grounds, Handicapping, horse racing, Jockeys, Kentucky Derby, Lifestyle, Trainers, Wagering

Who Wins The Gun Runner Stakes?

Saturday is the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 2-year-old Stakes contest is the first of four Kentucky Derby preps at Fair Grounds. The mile & 1/16th Gun Runner will offer a total of 21 Derby qualifying points on a scale of 10-5-3-2-1 to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at Saturday’s field: 1. MESQUITE [ML 9-2] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Cherie … Continue reading Who Wins The Gun Runner Stakes?

thesaratoganDecember 20, 2025Leave a comment

Fair Grounds, horse racing, Kentucky Derby, Lifestyle

The Gun Runner Stakes

A new addition to the Road to the Kentucky Derby series of races is the Gun Runner Stakes. The mile & 1/16th contest at Fair Grounds was inaugurated in 2021. The race is named in honor of GUN RUNNER, the 2017 American Horse of the Year and a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee. The 5th edition of the Gun Runner is Saturday and is the first in a series … Continue reading The Gun Runner Stakes

thesaratoganDecember 18, 2025Leave a comment

horse racing, Lifestyle, Secretariat

The Majestic Thoroughbred

It matters not if they achieve Triple Crown glory or never take stride on a racetrack- every thoroughbred racehorse begins life as a foal at a breeding farm. These farms represent the best of the best in foal care, with proven methodologies for raising the strongest and healthiest athletes possible. Once foaled, the curious little ones are up and walking within an hour and within a week … Continue reading The Majestic Thoroughbred

thesaratoganDecember 16, 2025December 16, 2025Leave a comment

Arkansas Derby, Handicapping, horse racing, Kentucky Derby, Lifestyle, Oaklawn Park, Wagering

Oaklawn Park Set To Open

Some of the winter season’s best dirt racing returns to the Midwest with the start of 2025-26 campaign at Oaklawn Park. This Friday (12/12) the winter/spring meet at the Hot Springs, Arkansas facility gets underway. Oaklawn racing boasts big fields, which make for good betting races for handicappers. They feature an excellent Stakes program, along with very strong purses throughout its 64-raceday season that will continue … Continue reading Oaklawn Park Set To Open

thesaratoganDecember 11, 2025Leave a comment

Bourbon, Coffee, horse racing, Jim Dandy, Lifestyle, Saratoga

A Great Gift Idea For The Horse Lover

The holiday season is upon us; Christmas is less than three weeks away. So, if you or someone you know, loves horseracing and/or delicious tasting coffee, the Daily Racing Blog highly recommends Saratoga Cool Beans Coffee. Saratoga Cool Beans is a nifty online coffee shop that caters to horse loving, coffee drinkers. It’s a fun website and you needn’t love horses to enjoy the artisan, gourmet … Continue reading A Great Gift Idea For The Horse Lover

thesaratoganDecember 9, 2025December 9, 2025Leave a comment

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