The Grade 1, $500,000- dollar Champagne Stakes is Saturday at the new Belmont Park. A field of six 2-year-olds will have a go at the one-turn mile, which offers a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on October 30th and some minor qualifying points for the 2027 Kentucky Derby. All six of these youngsters are seeking their first Stakes victory, and all but two of … Continue reading Who Wins The Champagne Stakes?
Over four decades (can that be right?) removed from his sensational jockey career, Steve Cauthen lives the life of a typical Thoroughbred insider in his hometown of Verona in Northern Kentucky. Best known for capturing the 1978 Triple Crown aboard AFFIRMED, Cauthen had established himself as a potential superstar in his first full year as a jockey in 1977. He was honored for that season with three Eclipse Awards—outstanding apprentice and journeyman … Continue reading Quite A Ride Kid
A field of 11 will vie for victory in the Grade 1, $1 million-dollar Pennsylvania Derby Saturday at Parx Racing. The 1 1/8-mile signature race at Parx stands as the final Grade 1 Stakes race of 2026 restricted to 3-year-olds at two turns. Here is a brief look at that field: 1. ZIHNAL [ML 8-1] Trainer: Jonathan Thomas. Jockey: John Velazquez. Broke his Maiden in … Continue reading Who Wins The Pennsylvania Derby?
The beauty and pageantry of horse racing can turn into chaos and tragedy in the blink of an eye; a jockey plummets to the racetrack, trying to avoid the crushing weight of his falling mount and often rolling amidst a hellish pounding of hooves. Medics arrive in the ambulance to assess the severity of injuries and provide immediate care. The lucky riders get treatment in … Continue reading The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
The $300,000-dollar Iroquois Stakes is Saturday at Churchill Downs. In addition to the purse money the winner of the one-turn mile will earn ten points toward next year’s Kentucky Derby. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. CARIBBEAN LIFE [ML6-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Will Waldon. Drew away in the stretch to win easily in his seven-furlong debut at Ellis Park. Has the pedigree to … Continue reading Who Wins The Iroquois Stakes?
The Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes is Saturday at Saratoga Race. Eight 2-year-old fillies are entered to run seven furlongs on the main track on the final Saturday of the meet. Along with the winner’s share of the $300,000-dollar purse, the Spinaway provides a win-and-you’re-in spot into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on October 30th. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. BANDMASTER [ML … Continue reading Who Wins The Spinaway Stakes?
The historic 2026 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course concludes it its 46-day run on Labor Day, leaving in its wake a trail of broken expectations, booming handles, and historical shifts that will be talked about for decades. The historical impact of the 2026 meet extends far beyond individual race results; it marks the conclusion of a unique chapter in New York racing history. Due … Continue reading Saratoga’s Final Week
Saratoga Race Course once again lived up to its moniker- the Graveyard of Champions on Saturday. LEADING CHANGE came into the Travers Stakes as the only undefeated colt among 10 starters – but he had only raced twice; he posted an impressive Maiden win sprinting at Churchill Downs in June followed by a hard-fought narrow victory in his two-turn debut in the Indiana Derby July 11th when … Continue reading Light On Experience, Heavy On Talent
The Grade 1, $1.25 million-dollar Travers Stakes is Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. The Mid-Summer Derby drew a field of 10 that features the winners of all of the Triple Crown races. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. EMERGING MARKET [ML 15-1] Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Trainer: Chad Brown. Won his first two starts, including the Louisiana Derby (G2), which put him in the … Continue reading Who Wins The Travers Stakes?
MY GUN’S LOADED pulled off the upset victory in Saturday’s 146th edition of the Grade 1, Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. The Chad Brown-trained filly upstaged the heavy, odds-on favorite COUNTING STARS in a thrilling stretch run, reinforcing the legendary reputation of Saratoga as the Graveyard of Favorites. COUNTING STARS entered the 1 1/4-mile contest seeking her third consecutive Grade 1 win at The … Continue reading Alabama Upset
