The road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby is open and underway. But if you’re new to horse racing you might have questions about how all of this works. Well wonder no more, the Daily Racing Blog is here to help. Below is an easy overview about qualifying for the Run for the Roses. Who: Three-Year-Old Thoroughbreds When you hear that Winning the Kentucky Derby is … Continue reading Getting To The Derby
Churchill Downs Racetrack has entered into an agreement with Australian-based company, Steriline Racing to design and construct a new custom-made, 20-stall starting gate that will be used for the 2020 Kentucky Derby. A six-stall auxiliary starting gate (which attached to the 14-horse starting gate) was first used in 1942 and has been required 54 times for the Kentucky Derby within that period, including each of … Continue reading Kentucky Derby News
Last year’s Withers Victor, TAX, ran 14th on the first Saturday in May but then went on to Win the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga. SHOTSKI, after a Win in the Remsen here, returns to the Big A to head a field of eight 3-year-olds in this year’s Withers. The entrants have an opportunity to acquire Derby qualifying points with a top four finish on a … Continue reading Winner In The Withers ?
The 2020 Kentucky Derby trail returns to Aqueduct Park on Saturday for the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes. The race is held each February at Aqueduct Race Track. It was first run in 1874 at Jerome Park Race Track and had been run at several tracks since, before finding a permanent home at the Big A. It is a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds that … Continue reading The Withers Stakes
Last week the Daily Racing Blog looked at the top trainers at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This week we give you the top jockeys to watch for at this eight week meet. Ricardo Santana Jr. He could easily be described as jockey of the decade at Oaklawn, Winning six consecutive riding titles from 2013-2018. In April 2019, he recorded his 1,000th … Continue reading Oaklawn’s Top Riders
Both OMAHA BEACH (swelling in right hind leg) and SPUN TO RUN (hives) are out of the $3 million dollar Pegasus World Cup on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. That pretty much makes this a wide open affair for the remaining 10 horses. Here then a Daily Racing Blog closer look at the field: 1. TRUE TIMBER (15-1) Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin. Jockey: Joe Bravo. Third in three … Continue reading Pegasus Picks
This Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park is the first marquee Stakes race of 2020 and brings together several of the best older (4 years and up) dirt racehorses, all with their eyes on the prize of the $3 million dollar purse. The headliner among the 12 Pegasus starters is OMAHA BEACH, who will be making his final career appearance before heading off to a stud … Continue reading Pegasus Field
One of racing’s most popular competitions returns to the land of the Ozarks this week. Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, raises the curtain on its 2020 meet Friday, January 24th. This meet offers big fields and even bigger purses for three months of sensational racing. Oaklawn is indeed unique among major tracks in that it does not have a turf course, but rest assured … Continue reading Trainers To Watch At Oaklawn Park
Next Saturday, January 25 is the 4th annual Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series, held at Gulfstream Park. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series is a series of two invite-only Grade 1 races held at Gulfstream Park since 2017 (originally only offering a dirt race before adding the turf division last year). The $3 million dollar Pegasus World Cup runs 1 1/8 miles on the dirt, … Continue reading Pegasus World Cup
He was orphaned as a young boy in London. Wounded by German artillery in World War II. Employed by Santa Anita Park since 1961. His name is John Shear, and he is the track’s beloved Paddock Captain. John will celebrate his 99th birthday between races with family, friends and co-workers this Friday, January 17th. A former exercise rider, groom and assistant trainer who had originally … Continue reading 99 Years Young
