Happy Birthday EXTERMINATOR

The Daily Racing Blog would be remiss if it didn’t wish a Happy (belated) Birthday to Binghamton’s own Kentucky Derby Winner EXTERMINATOR. Old Bones (a nickname attributed to his rather bony appearance) was born on May 30th, 1915. It was 104 years ago that EXTERMINATOR brought Kentucky Derby glory back to his home town as a 30-1 upset Winner in the Run For The Roses. … Continue reading Happy Birthday EXTERMINATOR

Could Be A Tantalizing Travers

The Triple Crown racing series has been less than compelling for most fans this year. That said, think about all the possible storylines setting up for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes in August at Saratoga. Five horses could make the Travers the race of the year. RICH STRIKE, EARLY VOTING and EPICENTER are the most important 3-year-olds who might enter, because of their big Triple Crown efforts … Continue reading Could Be A Tantalizing Travers

Belmont Still A Big deal

The Belmont Stakes is famous for being the final leg of the Triple Crown. And although there is no chance of a Triple Crown this year, the Belmont is still a very prestigious race with a wonderful history. For the uninitiated here are the basics, as we head toward that big day of racing on June 11th: WHO: ELITE 3-YEAR-OLDS. Winning the Belmont Stakes is literally … Continue reading Belmont Still A Big deal

Preakness In The Rear-View

Three take-a-ways from three of the major players in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. EARLY VOTING : Jockey Jose Ortiz has ridden the Preakness Stakes Winner in each of his four career starts, but his time with the horse extends well beyond that. When trainer Chad Brown needed Ortiz to work the horse in the morning, he always answered the call, something some accomplished jockeys are reluctant to do. “I’ve been … Continue reading Preakness In The Rear-View

Creative Secret

There is no Triple Crown on the line in this year’s $1.65 million Preakness Stakes. But Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will face the 2nd- and 4th-place finishers from the Derby. The Preakness is scheduled as race 13 on a card of 14, with a scheduled Post Time of 7:05. Here then is a look at the field. 1. SIMPLIFICATION [ML 6-1] Trainer: Antonio Sano. Jockey: John Velazquez. … Continue reading Creative Secret

Shhh ! It’s A Secret

Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE is not running in the Preakness in order to rest up for the Belmont Stakes. Regardless, the 147th running of the $1.5 million dollar Grade 1 Preakness May 21st at Pimlico should still be an exceptionally exciting race. Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will attempt to become the seventh filly in history to Win the race, following in the footsteps of … Continue reading Shhh ! It’s A Secret

Preakness Trends

The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is the second leg of U.S Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, taking place just two weeks after the fabled Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. But what a difference two weeks makes in how horseplayers approach handicapping the two races. The Preakness in contrast to the Derby receives considerably less attention from a trends and angles perspective, with … Continue reading Preakness Trends

No Triple Crown

As the horse racing faithful are, no doubt, already aware, Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE will bypass the May 21st Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in favor of a run in the June 11th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, announced owner Rick Dawson on Friday. “Our original plan for RICH STRIKE was contingent on the Kentucky Derby,” Dawson said in a release. “Should we not run in … Continue reading No Triple Crown

Preakness Basics

The Kentucky Derby, as wonderful as it was, is over. As is the mindset for most horse-players; onto the next race. The Preakness Stakes, even with 146 years of history behind it, is an incredibly modern event- half elite day of horse racing, half festival. The middle jewel of the Triple Crown has evolved into a destination event for sports and music fans across the country. If … Continue reading Preakness Basics

A Ride For The Ages

The outcome of the Kentucky Derby was, (how to be kind?) highly improbable. But, to quote Al Michaels announcing a certain hockey game; “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!” An 80-1 shot named RICH STRIKE, Won the GI Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs. But how, in the name of SECRETARIAT, did he do it? RICH STRIKE certainly benefitted from a pace meltdown, ran the race … Continue reading A Ride For The Ages