Not Just Any Cigar

The Breeders’ Cup Championships are less than two weeks away. So, it seems a good time to look back on some great Breeders’ Cup performances. First up CIGAR. The transformation of CIGAR from a horse that showed modest turf ability to one that developed into a legend on dirt illustrates how critical a trainer’s role can be. The son of PALICE MUSIC went unraced at 2 before Winning two of nine starts the following … Continue reading Not Just Any Cigar

Who Wins The Champagne Stakes?

Saturday is the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct Park. Ten 2-year-olds will compete in the one mile contest on the main track. The race is a Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Stakes, giving the Winner a spot in the November 1st Juvenile at Del Mar, as well the majority portion of the $500,000 dollar purse. Here is a look at the field: 1. J … Continue reading Who Wins The Champagne Stakes?

Horse Racing Hall Of Fame

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1951 in Saratoga Springs, NY to honor the achievements of American Thoroughbred Racehorses, Jockeys, and Trainers. The museum first opened its doors in 1951, at which time it occupied a single room in Saratoga’s Canfield Casino.  The establishment was supported by the city of Saratoga Springs, which donated $2,500, as well as the Saratoga Racing Association, which donated … Continue reading Horse Racing Hall Of Fame

The Spa Is Over

This is the time of year (in horse racing anyway) when, as you reach a certain age, you realize just how difficult it is to keep time from slipping past us. Old friends reemerge while others disappear or pass away. Acquaintances become friends as mutual admiration takes hold. Saratoga has (seemingly), mastered at least the illusion that time, while still slipping away can do so at … Continue reading The Spa Is Over

What A Travers !

Not very often does a racehorse Win a marquee race that cements his credentials as a top contender for an Eclipse Award and then gets overshadowed in most of the post-race discussions. But that’s what’s happening with Travers Stakes Winner FIERCENESS. No doubt about it, THORPEDO ANNA was fearless in gutting out a 2nd place finish to FIERCENESS in the Mid-Summer Derby at Saratoga, and the … Continue reading What A Travers !

Who Wins The Travers Stakes ?

Saturday’s Travers Stakes drew a high-quality, competitive field of eight starters competing for a hefty $1.25 million purse along with the right to inscribe their name in the sport’s history.  Here then, is a brief look at the field: 1. THORPEDO ANNA [ML 3-1] Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Ken McPeek. This is a big test for the filly, but if you trust McPeek’s judgment that … Continue reading Who Wins The Travers Stakes ?

Travers Storylines Abound

The focus of the horse racing world zeroes in on Saratoga Race Course Saturday for the 155th running of the Travers Stakes. It is the most prestigious race for 3-year-olds outside of the Triple Crown races in late spring and often is crucial in determining the year-end champion in that division. The Travers always serves as a major emphasis in the season for 3-year-olds, hence the nickname Mid-Summer Derby … Continue reading Travers Storylines Abound

Travers Week Begins

Saturday is the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. It is by far the most popular day of the entire meet. It features five Grade 1, Stakes races, totaling over 5 million dollars in purses. So perhaps a little background on the race itself is in order: THE NAME: When the Saratoga Racing Association named the Travers Stakes for William R. Travers (one of the founders of America’s oldest race course), they sought only to … Continue reading Travers Week Begins

Sweet Home Alabama Stakes

Saturdays feature event at Saratoga is the 144th running of the Alabama Stakes. The prestigious stakes race for 3-year-old fillies is one of the oldest races for females in the United States. Its first edition took place in 1872 in a race Won by WOODBINE, a horse owned by August Belmont. The race itself was not precisely named in honor of the state of Alabama; rather, it was named after … Continue reading Sweet Home Alabama Stakes

Coffee With A Cause

It’s old news now that Saratoga Race Track cancelled its entire card on Friday due to severe rain and Saturdays card is extremely compromised for the same reason. That said, the Daily Racing Blog isn’t feeling the weekend Saratoga racing mojo. So today we’ll talk about a most worth cause- the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The organization is a public charity that provides financial assistance … Continue reading Coffee With A Cause