Triple Crown Trivia

It’s never too early to start thinking about horse racing’s Triple Crown.  So let’s get in the right frame of mind with some TC Trivia: What races make up the Triple Crown ? A.  Kentucky Derby, Haskell Invitational, Preakness B.  Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes C.  Kentucky Derby, Florida Derby, Belmont Stakes Who was the most recent Triple Crown Winner ? A.  JUSTIFY B.  … Continue reading Triple Crown Trivia

Edgar Prado Rides On

His resume already includes Wins in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup.  He has an Eclipse Award as champion jockey and a plaque in the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame, but Edgar Prado still has one item on his bucket list to check off. Prado, 52, currently sits with 7,047 career Victories, second-most among active riders behind Perry Wayne Ouzts … Continue reading Edgar Prado Rides On

99 Years Young

He was orphaned as a young boy in London.  Wounded by German artillery in World War II.  Employed by Santa Anita Park since 1961.  His name is John Shear, and he is the track’s beloved Paddock Captain.  John will celebrate his 99th birthday between races with family, friends and co-workers this Friday, January 17th. A former exercise rider, groom and assistant trainer who had originally … Continue reading 99 Years Young

What To Wear, What To Wear ?

The 2020 racing season is here.  And if this is the year you’ve vowed to make your first visit to a racetrack, you may be wondering what to wear exactly. It’s always embarrassing to arrive somewhere and realize that you’re either completely over- or under-dressed.  Pop culture sends us mixed signals: either you’re supposed to dress like Eliza Doolittle heading to Ascot in My Fair … Continue reading What To Wear, What To Wear ?

A New Kid Appears

A couple of weeks ago the Daily Racing Blog wrote about 54 year Hall Of Fame (still active) jockey Mike Smith.  On Wednesday we featured the one-time golden boy, Triple Crown Winner (and fellow Hall of Famer) jockey Steve Cauthen.  Here then, in an effort to perhaps appeal to a younger demographic, we look at a possible heir apparent: SIERRA LEONA rallied from mid-pack for … Continue reading A New Kid Appears

‘The Kid’ Turns 60

Four decades (can that be right?) removed from his sensational jockey career, Steve Cauthen lives the life of a typical Thoroughbred insider in his hometown of Verona in Northern Kentucky. Best known for capturing the 1978 Triple Crown aboard AFFIRMED, Cauthen had established himself as a potential superstar in his first full year as a jockey in 1977.  He was honored for that season with … Continue reading ‘The Kid’ Turns 60

NYRA Final Accounting

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced last week that its 2019 race meets conducted at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course generated an all-sources handle of $2,108,126,369. For the first time in history, NYRA generated more than $700 million in all-sources handle during the 2019 meet at Saratoga Race Course, which was conducted over a five-day race week. Wagering from all-sources … Continue reading NYRA Final Accounting

Keene Ridge Farm

Keene Ridge Farms lies in the heart of central Kentucky’s bucolic Thoroughbred breeding region, close to Keeneland Race Course. The 170-acre farm opened for business in 1994, and owner Ann Bakhaus has watched Keene Ridge grow into a respected operation that epitomizes small business savvy, astute breeding strategies, and a commitment toward caring for retirees- thoroughbreds that is. Bakhaus developed a love for horses and … Continue reading Keene Ridge Farm

The Amazing Mike Smith

Saturday was opening day of the winter meet at Santa Anita Park.  It proved to be a memorable one for jockey Mike Smith. In the process of Winning four of seven Stakes races on the card, Smith bested Jerry Bailey as the all-time leader among jockeys for Grade 1 Wins in North America. Smith surpassed his fellow Hall of Famer, with Win number 217, when OMAHA … Continue reading The Amazing Mike Smith