The Road To The Kentucky Derby is open for business as the qualifying prep races have began in earnest. So, it seems a good time to talk about those that pilot the Derby hopefuls. More specifically, a charity that is near and dear to their hearts. The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a public charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Since … Continue reading Coffee For A Cause
In this day and age at any racetrack across the country, you’ll likely find a female jockey in one of the races. Lady riders (a Dire Straits song just whispered to me) have won Triple Crown races, Breeders’ Cup races and marquee Stakes such as the Kentucky Oaks and Pacific Classic. Julie Krone, who won 3,704 races, is enshrined in the Racing Hall of Fame in … Continue reading Breaking Down Barriers
The Tampa Bay Derby takes center stage on the east coast Saturday afternoon, as the road to the May 2nd Kentucky Derby continues. The $400,000-dollar, Grade 3 Stakes offers a total of 105 qualifying points toward a spot in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, distributed to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. Here is a brief look at the field … Continue reading Who Wins The Tampa Bay Derby?
The Arkansas Road to the Kentucky Derby is paved with gold. Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs has four Derby points races with total purses equaling $3.75 million dollars. These rich pay-days along with Derby qualifying points leads to deep and talented fields with compelling 3-year-olds looking for a spot in the gate for the May 2nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. Sunday the $1 … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel Stakes?
This is the time on the calendar when Derby hopefuls should be concentrating on two-turn preps and qualifying points. The Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Park on Saturday is a bit counter intuitive to this thinking. The Gotham is contested as a one-turn mile; however, the winner does receive 50 Derby qualifying points, a total that should be good enough for a spot in The Run for … Continue reading Who Wins The Gotham Stakes?
Saturday is the John Battaglia Stakes at Turfway Park. Twenty Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s contest. The race also offers synthetic runners a useful prep ahead of the March 21st Jeff Ruby Steaks. The Battaglia, held on the Turfway Tapeta Footings track, attracted an overflow field of 13. Here is a brief look at that field: 1. STREET BEAST … Continue reading Who Wins The John Battaglia Stakes?
The man who trained ZENYATTA to a Hall of Fame career and saddled longshot 2005 Kentucky Dery winner GIACOMO has passed away. John Shirreffs died in his sleep February 12th at his home in Arcadia, California. He was 80 years of age. Known for his patience and individualized attention to his horses, Shirreffs left his mark in some of Thoroughbred racing’s greatest events. “The industry … Continue reading One Of The Good Guys
Saturday’s $500,000-dollar Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds is the first race in Churchill Downs Championship Series. Horses entered in the Risen Star will compete for a total of 105 qualifying points for the May 2nd Kentucky Derby, distributed on a scale of 50-25-15-10-5 to the top five finishers. It stands to reason that whichever horse wins this race has a very good chance of securing … Continue reading Who Wins The Risen Star Stakes?
Since the humble beginnings of the sport in the United States, African Americans have made significant contributions to horse racing. African American jockeys dominated the Winner’s circle in racing’s first three decades. They were the first black superstar athletes in the United States, and Won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derby‘s. In fact, 13 of 15 jockeys at the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 were African American. … Continue reading Racing Pioneers
There’s been no race postponements in Tampa. So, Saturday brings us the $250,000 dollar Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The SFD is the first of two Kentucky Derby points races at the Gulf Coast track, with the second being the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7th. Saturday’s contest will award 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers in the 1 1/16-mile … Continue reading Who Wins The Sam F. Davis Stakes?
