Rarely will a thoroughbred racehorse have the same jockey in the saddle from their first start through their last. There are many reasons for this, but the core principle is simple: horse owners are small businesspeople, most of them with a CEO mindset, while jockeys in North America are independent contractors in charge of making their own employment decisions. This allows for a great amount … Continue reading Who’s Riding Who?
Trainer Max Hirsch was a titan in the sport of horse racing. He won the 1934 Travers Stakes with OBSERVANT. He trained 1936 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner BOLD VENTURE. He was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career. In 1934 he had recently become the trainer for the King Ranch, which would soon be one of the most successful stables in America. That year Hirsch’s … Continue reading It Was A Happy & Fast Thanksgiving
Live racing returns to Fairgrounds on Thursday (11/20) as the New Orleans racetrack hosts its 154th season. The 2025-26 meet will encompass 70 race days that run through March 22nd. As always, the winter session at Fairgrounds offers racing fans and handicappers some of the best wagering to be found. The track will unveil a renovated paddock area for the 2025-26 meet as well as a new lounge overlooking … Continue reading NOLA Racing Resumes
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 What A Ride For ‘The Kid’
The Daily Racing Blog would like to wish a big old hedge-skimming Happy birthday to Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel ! A Louisiana native, Borel became the first rider to win the Kentucky Derby three times in a four-year span when he piloted STREET SENSE (2007), MINE THAT BIRD (2009), and SUPER SAVER (2010) to victory in the Run for the Roses. His … Continue reading HBD Calvin Borel
The $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is North America’s Thoroughbred Racing Championship event. The results of the Classic are often the determining factor in which racehorse is honored as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards. Here is a brief look at the Breeders’ Cup feature race on Saturday: 1. FIERCENESS [ML 5-2] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. When this colt is good, he’s really, really good. … Continue reading Who Wins The 2025 BC Classic?
The Daily Racing Blog goes north of the border for this week’s race preview. Three-year-olds take center stage Saturday in the Grade 3, $150,000 dollar Ontario Derby at Woodbine. The race usually draws a mix of Ontario-bred and U.S.-bred colts and geldings and this year is no different. Here is a brief look at this year’s field: 1. HE’S NOT JOKING [ML 8-1] Jockey: Fraser Aebly. … Continue reading Who Wins The Ontario Derby ?
The Grade 1, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is Saturday at Keeneland. The $800,000 dollar, mile & 1/8th turf race is restricted to 3-year-old fillies and has drawn a quality group of nine runners. Here is a brief look at the field for Saturday’s contest: 1. LUSH LIPS [ML 5-1] Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. Trainer: Brendan Walsh. Rallied for 2nd in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks. Has … Continue reading Who Wins The QE II Challenge Cup?
The Grade 1, $650,000 dollar, Win and You’re In, Breeders’ Futurity is Saturday at Keeneland Race Course. As well as the purse, the winner earns an expenses-paid entry into the $2 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, October 31st at Del Mar. Here is a brief look at the seven entrants: 1. BLACKOUT TIME [10-1] Jockey: Cristian Torres. Trainer: Ken McPeek. Ran 2nd in his career debut sprinting in … Continue reading Who Wins The Breeders’ Futurity ?
The Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes is Sunday. It’s traditionally the final prep race for California sprinters in advance of the World Championships yet it was never a Win and You’re In qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. This year’s contest is now a part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, with the winner automatically getting a spot in the gate as well as an expense … Continue reading Who Wins The Santa Anita Sprint?
