He broke into the thoroughbred racing business working as an assistant (1989-95) to legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Since hanging out his own training shingle, Todd Pletcher has Won 60 individual meet trainer titles as well as Winning 708 Graded Stakes, including 166 Grade 1’s. The 53-year-old Pletcher holds records for career earnings ($405,791,977) and Eclipse Awards and ranks 7th in Wins (5,118). He’s Won … Continue reading Pletcher Makes Hall Of Fame
Bob Baffert is becoming (or already is) horse racing’s version of Lance Armstrong. Lie. Deny. Distract. Rinse and Repeat. In the distraction portion of Baffert’s strategy he is now suing the New York Racing Association in federal court in an attempt to end his indefinite suspension. The suspension was levied after MEDINA SPIRIT tested positive on a routine drug test following the Kentucky Derby. Baffert’s … Continue reading Baffert = Lance Armstrong
The Belmont Stakes is Saturday, June 5th. Trainer Bob Baffert had not committed any horses to run in the third leg of the Triple Crown. He did however consider entering other horses in his barn in various races on the card that day. But not so fast Baffy. The New York Racing Association has stepped in to quell the idea of any Baffert horses running … Continue reading New York Racing Association Sends A Message
Kentucky Derby Winner MEDINA SPIRIT failed a postrace drug test. The colt’s blood sample was found to be in violation of the state’s medication protocols for racehorses. Trainer Bob Baffert said his horse tested positive for the steroid betamethasone. Rules in the state of Kentucky limits the use of the steroid to 14 days or more before a race. Any level of detection on race … Continue reading Derby Disqualification ?
The Preakness Stakes has been around for 146 years. Yet it has the vibe of a modern event. The combination of horse racing and live music had given it a festival feeling. The Preakness had become one of the biggest parties of the spring since the inception of InfieldFest in 2010, which combines a two-day-long music festival with some of the best horse racing in … Continue reading The Preakness
Entering the Kentucky Derby MEDINA SPIRIT had two Wins and three 2nd place finishes. His speed as well as his connections made him out to be a solid competitor- on paper. However back-to-back races in which he was well-beaten made him difficult to back as a Win contender. MEDINA SPIRIT seemed like a horse that could run a solid race – because he always shows … Continue reading Funky Colt Medina
A mere ten years ago the racing world wondered if the two-time Eclipse Award-Winning rider John Velazquez would break through and Win his first Kentucky Derby. Now the question is, how many more Victories will the four-time Derby Winner earn? There may be younger jockeys who Win more races day in and day out, but there is no current rider who is better in a big race … Continue reading All Hail Johnny V
Here is the second half of this year’s Derby field of twenty 11. DYNAMIC ONE [ML 20-1] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. The third Pletcher runner in the field, and this guy was handled with plenty of patience by his trainer. He faced tough fields in his early Maiden races. In the Wood Memorial, he made a strong closing move, took the lead in … Continue reading Derby Field Part II The Picks Are In.
There is only one Kentucky Derby, and it is the only race in our country with a 20-horse field. That large field provides unique opportunities for American bettors with payoffs in all exotic wagers, both vertical and horizontal, being unusually large. Here is a closer look at the first ten of twenty. 1. KNOWN AGENDA [ML 6-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. He … Continue reading First Half Of The Derby Field
One good tip for betting on Kentucky Derby Day is to give yourself a budget and stick with it. Don’t overextend yourself. Also, don’t be afraid to take a chance. So what if the horse that shares the same first name as your cousin from Greene has 65-1 odds? If you like it, put some money down. What if that horse Wins? That said, here is a … Continue reading Betting On The Derby
