We’re 10 days into 2022, and anticipation is already building for what’s to come this year. There will be plenty of exciting races, memorable moments, and great times to be had this year at tracks all across the country. Everyone (even horseplayers) make New Year’s resolutions; some are more successful than others. Here are a few for racing fans that are certainly attainable. 1. PICK THE … Continue reading Racing Resolutions
Poplar jockey Manuel Franco tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and will remain off his mounts until Sunday, January 9th, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. All members of the NYRA jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. In addition, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct have been substantially altered to provide maximum physical distancing and reduce density. Franco is best remembered for … Continue reading Covid Scratches Jockey
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of select races that award a sliding scale of points to the Top 4 finishers. This has determined preference for the 20-horse Kentucky Derby (Grade I) field since 2013. The 1 ¼-mile classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds will be run at the historic Louisville, Kentucky racetrack for the 148th consecutive year on Saturday, May 7th, 2022. As was … Continue reading The Road To The Derby
Thoroughbred fans returned to tracks with great enthusiasm after a year’s absence due to the pandemic. Business was brisk on all fronts as racing celebrated some sense of normalcy and looked ahead to a bright (hopefully) future. Here are just a few highlights from the year that was 2021. WHAT A HORSE: There will be no suspense when Horse of the Year is announced. It … Continue reading Crossing The 2021 Finish Line
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race which first ran on January 28th, 2017 at Gulfstream Park. It is run over the dirt at the distance of 11⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) and is open to horses four years old and up. With a purse of $12 million for its inaugural running, the Pegasus World Cup surpassed the Dubai World Cup as the richest horse race in the … Continue reading Pegasus World Cup
Christmas morning … a time for family, fellowship, generosity and gratitude. For many Americans, it is a time for spiritual celebration. A holiday unlike any other, full of good tidings and cheer and a trip to the racetrack. Okay, scratch that last part. If you head to the racetrack with your family on Christmas Day, you’re going to be there by yourself, and you’re going … Continue reading Here Comes Santa…Anita
For the first time in his illustrious 32-year career, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride full-time this winter at Santa Anita, beginning with the track’s opening day, Sunday, December 26th. A 50-year-old native of Puerto Rico, Johnny V as he’s affectionately known, is Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading money Winning jockey, with career purse earnings of more than $446 million from 6,357 Wins. A … Continue reading Johnny West
SANTA CLAUS (foaled in 1961) was a British-bred Irish trained race-horse and sire. As a three year-old in 1964 the dark-coated bay stallion had his best year on the turf. His most notable achievements were Winning the Irish 200 Guineas Stakes, as well as the Epsom and Irish Derbies. These Victories (in part) earned SANTA CLAUS the 1964 British Horse Of The Year award. SANTA CLAUS, no doubt, brought a lot of joy (and … Continue reading Home Stretch To Christmas
Former trainer Jorge Navarro (pictured above doing his best Sgt. Schultz imitation) was sentenced the maximum five years in federal prison Friday by federal judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. Navarro must also pay over $26 million in restitution for his crimes, reflecting the amount Won through his cheating. Navarro will begin to serve his sentence in February according to a report from David Grening of the Daily … Continue reading Jail Time For Trainer
It’s never too early. Kentucky Derby fever starts minutes after Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner crosses the finish line. Between now and the actual Run For The Roses horseplayers worldwide are looking for the diamond in the rough, which could lead to a life-changing Winning payoff the first Saturday in May. That said, here are a few ways in which to identify Derby contenders that are … Continue reading Derby Dreaming
