Churchill, Santa Anita, Back In Business

Things are looking up in horse racing this weekend as action resumes Friday at Santa Anita and Saturday at Churchill Downs. There is even more good news as various state lock-downs due to the coronavirus are being relaxed: Belmont Park has reopened its main track for training and Churchill Downs announced a very tentative schedule of new Road to the Kentucky Derby points races. A … Continue reading Churchill, Santa Anita, Back In Business

The 2020 Triple Crown Shuffle

If this were a normal year the horse racing world would be enjoying one of the most exciting weeks of the season, as horses arrive at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore and take their last gallops in preparation for the Preakness Stakes (the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown) on Saturday.   But as race fans around the globe have realized-  nothing about this spring is … Continue reading The 2020 Triple Crown Shuffle

Virtual G.O.A.T. As Well

Forty-seven years after beating SHAM in the Kentucky Derby, the legendary SECRETARIAT also handled hypothetical rivals this past Saturday, defeating 12 fellow Triple Crown Winners in a virtual Kentucky Derby on NBC television. The mock race played out on May 2nd, slotted to fill a void in programming caused by the postponement of the Kentucky Derby to September 5th due to COVID-19.   It was an  … Continue reading Virtual G.O.A.T. As Well

Empty Grandstands At The Spa?

There are still 10 weeks before the Saratoga Race Course is scheduled to open for the season on July 16th. But New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has questioned whether the track will be open at all this year to fans. “You can’t open an attraction that could bring people from across the state to that attraction and overwhelm a region,” Cuomo said during a press … Continue reading Empty Grandstands At The Spa?

Betting Horses On-Line

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every aspect of American life.  In the grand scheme of things, pursuing entertainment by wagering on horse racing certainly takes a backseat to the essential tasks we all face right now to keep ourselves and our families safe and help our neighbors as much as possible. Some of us however, still have time for leisure, but are now faced with … Continue reading Betting Horses On-Line

Arkansas Derby First Division Picks

22 horses were entered for the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby.  After which  Oaklawn Park officials decided to split the race into two divisions, both offering a $500,000 dollar purse. Churchill Downs opted to let both divisions of the Arkansas Derby race for the original 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The generosity of point dispersion takes into consideration that the Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes and, … Continue reading Arkansas Derby First Division Picks

New Race For Gulfstream Park

  While competition remains halted at many racetracks around the country, Gulfstream Park is still going strong.  On Saturday they host a newly written 3-year-old Stakes Race-the $75,000 dollar Unbridled Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. It is the feature race of the day and it drew an interesting field of seven horses, including familiar names from the Kentucky Derby trail. The Unbridled Stakes is Race … Continue reading New Race For Gulfstream Park

‘Big Money’ Mike Smith

As a guest Saturday on Horse Racing Radio Network  54-year-old Mike Smith told host Mike Penna that he wants to get back to riding as soon as possible, amid a shutdown at Santa Anita Park. “Another two to three years if all goes well.”  That was Smith’s response when asked how much longer he would like to continue to ride. Enshrined in the National Museum of … Continue reading ‘Big Money’ Mike Smith