There are lots of so-called rivalries in sports. But there are few whose status lives on and can stand up to the test of time. It is one small three letter word that is the barometer for these athletic battles that grow more legendary with each passing generation. That word? AND. It’s just that simple. Whenever you cannot name one participant without the reflexive action … Continue reading AFFIRMED & ALYDAR
Nicholas Philip Zito grew up near Aqueduct Racetrack. His father would take him to the track as a young lad. But back in the day there were age restrictions on admission to the track. So the elder Zito would leave young Nicholas with a friend of his, who just happened to be a security guard at the Big A. It was there and then that Zito felt he found his calling. … Continue reading A Classic New York Bred
RICH STRIKE is back at Churchill Downs, where he etched his way into history earlier this year on the first Saturday in May. Saturday he will run in the $500,000 dollar Lukas Classic Stakes. The 1 1/8 miles race is named in honor of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. RICH STRIKE who has not hit the board in his two starts since the Run … Continue reading Can Rich Strike Again ?
The Daily Racing Blog would be remiss if it didn’t wish a Happy (belated) Birthday to Binghamton’s own Kentucky Derby Winner EXTERMINATOR. Old Bones (a nickname attributed to his rather bony appearance) was born on May 30th, 1915. It was 104 years ago that EXTERMINATOR brought Kentucky Derby glory back to his home town as a 30-1 upset Winner in the Run For The Roses. … Continue reading Happy Birthday EXTERMINATOR
Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE is not running in the Preakness in order to rest up for the Belmont Stakes. Regardless, the 147th running of the $1.5 million dollar Grade 1 Preakness May 21st at Pimlico should still be an exceptionally exciting race. Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will attempt to become the seventh filly in history to Win the race, following in the footsteps of … Continue reading Shhh ! It’s A Secret
As the horse racing faithful are, no doubt, already aware, Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE will bypass the May 21st Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in favor of a run in the June 11th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, announced owner Rick Dawson on Friday. “Our original plan for RICH STRIKE was contingent on the Kentucky Derby,” Dawson said in a release. “Should we not run in … Continue reading No Triple Crown
The outcome of the Kentucky Derby was, (how to be kind?) highly improbable. But, to quote Al Michaels announcing a certain hockey game; “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!” An 80-1 shot named RICH STRIKE, Won the GI Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs. But how, in the name of SECRETARIAT, did he do it? RICH STRIKE certainly benefitted from a pace meltdown, ran the race … Continue reading A Ride For The Ages
Here is the 2nd half of the 2022 Kentucky Derby field which includes the late scratch of ETHEREAL ROAD and his replacement. 11. PIONEER OF MEDINA [ML 30-1] Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Joe Bravo. He was 3rd in the Louisiana Derby after pressing the pace, which is promising, but without a Stakes Win to his credit, he is just another longshot here chasing the connections Derby … Continue reading He Shoots, He Scores!
The road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby began on September 18th, 2021, and ended on April 16th, 2022. All told, there were 37 prep races that carried qualifying points. During the points era, Derby results have become remarkably consistent. After success in the 100-point prep races, Derby Winners usually raced as part of the early pace, getting clear of traffic problems that are so common farther … Continue reading Derby Field- First 10
Post Positions were drawn, and Morning line odds were assigned at Churchill Downs Monday afternoon for the 2022 edition of the Kentucky Derby. Here then is a preliminary look at the field: 1. MO DONEGAL [ML 10-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Top Speed Figure: 103 2. HAPPY JACK [ML 30-1 Jockey: Rafael Bejarano. Trainer: Doug O’Neil. Top Speed Figure: 98 3. EPICENTER [ML 7-2] Jockey: … Continue reading The Derby Field
