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
When jockey Jose Ortiz purchased land in Ocala, Florida in 2018, it was partly done with an eye toward the distant future. Those 20 acres in the heart of Florida horse country would someday be the young rider’s landing place in retirement. Near term, Ortiz, 26, planned on visiting his farm whenever he could to check on the retired Thoroughbreds he and his wife, Taylor, … Continue reading Jose Isolation
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
Here’s a little racing quiz that will help keep your thoroughbred mind sharp as you’re being quarantined, and going through Kentucky Derby withdrawal. Answers appear at the end…no peaking. 1. Who is the last filly to Win a Triple Crown race? 2. What was the first race to offer a purse of $1 million in North America? 3. Which horse holds the speed record in … Continue reading Mid-Week Trivia
As Daily Racing Blog readers are well aware, there are numerous ways to wager on a horse race in this day and age. And the one bet that should never be overlooked is perhaps the oldest. While the payoff on a Win bet might be dwarfed by a Trifecta or Superfecta, its simplicity and effectiveness can help ensure turning a profit on your wagers. Of … Continue reading The WIN Bet
Jockey Javier Castellano plans on returning to competitive riding on May 1st at Oaklawn Park, 37 days after testing positive for coronavirus, per a report from turf writer David Grening. The Hall of Fame rider has not raced since March 15th, nine days before testing positive for the COVID-19 virus on March 24th. Castellano returned to New York on Tuesday, after spending two weeks at … Continue reading Jockey Out-Runs Covid-19
The adage goes; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So too then, Value wagering is in the eye of the bettor. As much as ascertaining Value is a key element in handicapping a race, it’s as subjective as any other part of trying to pick a Winner. What could be an overlay to one bettor just might be seen as an underlay by … Continue reading The Value Is Out There
SECRETARIAT, arguably the greatest race horse of all time, would have been fifty years of age on March 31st. Big Red passed away in 1989. But one can not celebrate the birthday of the mighty Triple Crown champion without pointing to jockey Ron Turcotte, and recognizing him as an integral member of a dynamite team. Watching replays of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes … Continue reading Team Effort; Red & Ron
As the planet learns to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, most people do what they can to survive. Others use their creativity and innovation to help serve those in need. The medical community — those on the front line caring for patients infected with the virus, is perhaps the most affected. Beyond the physical and emotional demands of their jobs, access to equipment and supplies … Continue reading Horse People Helping Out
New York State will build a 1,000-bed emergency hospital at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens to try to help the region accommodate the expected surge of COVID-19 patients in the weeks to come. This construction was announced March 28th by New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo. The remainder of the winter and spring meets at Aqueduct have been canceled. Racing was originally scheduled to conclude at the … Continue reading NYRA & Aqueduct Step Up
