The Daily Racing Blog recently wondered if the top riders at Saratoga would miss the last week of the meet in order to participate in the Kentucky Derby on September 9th. Well it seems the Ortiz brothers (1st and 2nd in the jockey standings) feel they can make more hay in Saratoga than they could in Louisville. Both Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr. will skip … Continue reading Top Two Spa Riders Staying Put
The 140th running of the $500,000 dollar, Grade 1 Albama Stakes drew a field of seven 3-year-old fillies who will try the mile and a quarter distance for the first time. In addition to the purse, the Alabama also offers Kentucky Oaks qualifying points (100-40-20-10) for the top four finishers. Any fillies going from this historic Saratoga race to the first Friday in September at … Continue reading Sweet Home Alabama
If any one of the leading riders at Saratoga wants to compete in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in September, there is a decision to made within a couple of weeks. Last week, Churchill Downs announced that any jockey wanting to ride in the Run For The Roses on September 5th would have to be in Louisville by August 24th so they can … Continue reading Saratoga Jockey Quandary
Jack Knowlton is the head of Sackatoga Stables– the Saratoga, New York group that owns this years Travers, and Belmont Stakes Winner TIZ THE LAW. It was 17 years ago that this same group had Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Winner FUNNY CIDE– trained by Barclay Tagg, who happens to be the conditioner for TIZ THE LAW. Back in 2003 Tagg opted not to run FUNNY … Continue reading TIZ Twas Great !
The $1 million dollar Grade 1 Travers Stakes 2020 installment was moved up- three weeks earlier than usual in the COVID-19 adjusted racing calendar. This years race runs a month ahead of the Kentucky Derby. In doing so, the Mid-Summer Derby became an official prep race for the Run for Roses with qualifying points to the top four finishers (100-40-20-10). TIZ THE LAW was named … Continue reading The 2020 Travers Stakes
The annual summer highlight of the horse racing calendar takes on an added importance this year. COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of The Sport Of Kings. Traditionally a late-August, Mid-Summer affair, this year’s 151st Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course has been moved up three weeks in light of the rescheduled Kentucky Derby which will be contested on September 5th. The $1 million dollar, Grade … Continue reading Mid-Summer Derby
The mile and an eighth Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday drew a field of five headed by the 6-5 Morning Line favorite TOM’S D’ETAT. In addition to the $750,000 dollar purse, as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the field will vie for a Win and You’re In spot for the BC Classic. All five horses in the field have earned … Continue reading Winner Of The Whitney
Saturday’s $750,000 dollar, Grade 1 Whitney Stakes is an annual highlight of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet. It is a race that has major importance on the road to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in the fall. Even without the Breeders Cup significance the Whitney is one of the most historic and significant races for older dirt horses in North America. Some of the … Continue reading The 2020 Whitney Stakes
When former NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin walks down Broadway in Saratoga Springs, it is almost as if he is stepping back in time. Fans often stop him to remind him of one of his legendary race calls and to express their appreciation for his extraordinary career. Those conversations mean the world to Durkin. “You’re walking down the street and somebody stops you and has … Continue reading The Legendary Tom Durkin
The Daily Racing Blog was going to take a closer look at Saturday’s Grade 1, $250,000 dollar Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga, but frankly with a short field of five horses it offers little betting Value. The Morning Line favorite VOLATILE seems to be head and shoulders above the rest in this one. Next Saturday is the Whitney Stakes which will certainly have a larger, more … Continue reading Jockeys & Trainers At The Spa
