On Friday November 20th the Government of Ontario disclosed that Toronto will be entering the Province’s Grey Lockdown phase of coronavirus-related restrictions. As a result Woodbine Entertainment announced that Sunday November 22nd would be the last day of Thoroughbred racing in the Province for 2020. The second half of that Sunday card, de facto closing day for Woodbine, was scrapped due to severe weather. Races … Continue reading Covid Shuts Down Woodbine
There are numerous reasons to explain why a long list of outstanding horses were thwarted in their bid to become a Triple Crown Champion. Some are predictable; others are surprising. Premature moves, suicidal paces, injuries, medications, exhaustion and bad trips have all played a role in the Triple Crown drought that stood at 37 years until AMERICAN PHAROAH completed the sweep in 2015. There was … Continue reading Hi-Yo SILVER
Formally established in 1872, Fair Grounds Race Course is the 3rd-oldest racetrack in North America. Live racing at the historic New Orleans venue was conducted as early as 1852 when pre-Civil War Louisiana was considered the Southern center of competitive Thoroughbred Racing. The Fair Grounds was destroyed by fire on December 17th, 1993. The blaze leveled the old grandstand, and all its surroundings. Over a four-year period, … Continue reading NOLO Thanksgiving
There is at least one racing term that immediately inspires respect, and even awe, from people within the racing industry, long-time railbirds, and even from those with little knowledge of the sport – the Triple Crown. The difficulty of capturing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, at three different distances, on three tracks, all in the span of five weeks can not be … Continue reading Triple Crown Mystique
Mark Casse became the 34th trainer in Thoroughbred racing history to Win 3,000 races. It happened Thursday at Gulfstream Park West when SOUPER WATSON scored a decisive 2-length Victory in the 3rd race, while paying $17 on a $2 dollar Win wager The 59-year-old, who was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame earlier this year, watched the milestone Win on … Continue reading Classy Casse
The history of horse racing is filled with stories of improbable, against-the-odds triumphs and legendary heroes who made the seemingly impossible, possible. It’s hard to imagine that the Kentucky Derby – as iconic a sporting event as you’ll find – was once in danger of fading into history due to financial difficulties. Fortunately, a businessman and racing fan named Martin Joseph Winn, better known as … Continue reading The Man Who Saved The Derby
FanDuel Group plans to make a multimillion-dollar investment in Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville, Illinois. Under the agreement, Fairmount Park Racetrack will be rebranded as FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing. In addition, the online gaming company plans a full revitalization of the venue, including the opening of a FanDuel Sportsbook retail location. This partnership is consistent with FanDuel Group’s long history in the sport of … Continue reading FanDuel Comes To Fairmount
Jockey Javier (JJ) Castellano will take off the final six weeks of 2020 to address a minor issue in his right leg and plans to return to race-riding in early- to-mid-January at Gulfstream Park. On Monday, Castellano will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right leg, near the hip, to clean up some debris in the area. The procedure will be performed by orthopedic surgeon Bryan … Continue reading JJ Going On The DL
The Breeders’Cup is over, the Triple Crown series (such as it was) ended in September. So the next couple of months are pretty slow in the world of Thoroughbred Racing. After the first of the year, the two year-old colts turn three and Kentucky Derby prep races start shortly there after. The next six weeks will seem like a long haul on a sloppy track. … Continue reading Animal Magic
AUTHENTIC proved he is the real deal with a powerful front-running 2 ¼-length victory against stablemate IMPROBABLE in the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course. The Kentucky Derby Winner was outdueled by the brilliant filly SWISS SKYDIVER in the Preakness Stakes, which was the final leg of this year’s pandemic-muddled Triple Crown. But he rebounded strongly to give Hall of … Continue reading AUTHENTIC- The Bona Fide Champ
