The Road to the Kentucky Derby makes a stop in Arkansas on Saturday with the running of the million dollar, Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Aside from the $1 million purse, the contest will also award 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. Last year’s Southwest Stakes Winner MYSTIK DAN used the race as a springboard on his way to Win the Run … Continue reading The Southwest Stakes
On Saturday Gulfstream Park will host the $3 million dollar Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes. The 1 1/8-mile dirt race has been a centerpiece of the winter season since it was rebranded in 2017. The contest annually brings together some of the best older dirt horses in training to compete. Here is a brief look at this year’s field: 1. MIXTO [ML 10-1] Jockey: Frankie Dettori. … Continue reading Who Wins The Pegasus?
The future of thoroughbred horse racing at Gulfstream Park is in the hands of the state legislature, as that government body considers House Bill 105. Sponsored by Republican State Representative Adam Anderson the proposed legislation seeks to decouple casino licenses from the requirement to host live horse racing. The Hallandale track has become a hub for elite thoroughbred racing in Florida, hosting renowned events like the Pegasus … Continue reading The Fate Of Gulfstream Park
Saturday is the Grade 3, $250,000 dollar Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. The race is the second of four stops at the New Orleans venue on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. For a race that carried a mere $40,000 purse as recently as 1996, it’s impressive how quickly this contest has developed into an important stop on the Derby Trail. The race is named in honor of … Continue reading The Lecomte Stakes
The 2025 edition of the Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park is Saturday, January 25th. The event is the winter season’s first truly monumental day of racing and wagering. Pegasus World Cup Day is one of the year’s premier days of Thoroughbred racing featuring a total seven Graded Stakes races with total purses of more than $5 million dollars. The feature race is the … Continue reading Pegasus World Cup
Prior to 2013 the traditional qualifying factor for horses wanting to participate in the Kentucky Derby was total Graded Stakes purse earnings- the more money an eligible horse Won, the increased chance of entering the starting gate. But beginning in 2013 Churchill Downs refined the classic earnings method in favor of a points based system which revamped the traditional prep races. These prep races were officially … Continue reading Ease On Down The Road (To The Kentucky Derby)
SIERRA LEONE, who last out Won the Breeders’ Cup Classic returned to training today (01-06-25) at Payson Park Training Center Florida. He ran an easy three furlongs in :37 4/5 as he begins preparations for the $20 million dollar Saudi Cup on February 22nd. Said trainer Chad Brown after the Monday morning workout; “He went nice and smooth, he galloped out with a lot of … Continue reading Sierra Leone Looking For More Treasure
Happy New Year to all our fellow horseplayers Whether you make a living playing the horses or do it as a side-hustle the one resolution you should consider (if you haven’t already) is to work on being mentally strong. Being mentally strong sets apart the Winning horseplayer from the perpetual ticket-tearing loser. Here are five examples of a Winning mind-set. If you already adhere to … Continue reading Happy New (Winning) Year
It’s that time of year when industries (music, cinema, television, etc…) look back at the previous 12 months and review their ups and downs. Horse racing is no different but rather than trying to choose the good, the bad and the ugly across the board, we give you just a few snippets of some significant developments of 2024 involving some of the sports favorite venues. … Continue reading Track Stars…Or Not
SANTA CLAUS (foaled in 1961) was a British-bred Irish trained race-horse 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 Liked The Grass
