It’s that time of year when industries (music, cinema, television, etc…) look back at the previous 12 months and review their ups and downs. Horse racing is no different but rather than trying to choose the good, the bad and the ugly across the board, we give you just a few snippets of some significant developments of 2024 involving some of the sports favorite venues. … Continue reading Track Stars…Or Not
The $500,000 dollar, Grade 2 Cigar Mile is Saturday at Aqueduct Park. It is the final Graded Stakes race of the year on the NYRA circuit. The one-turn mile brings together a couple different groups of horses: ones that usually run in sprints at a mile or less, and the others that often run in longer races around two turns. The Cigar Mile Handicap began in 1988 … Continue reading The Cigar Mile
The Grade 2 Remsen Stakes is Saturday at Aqueduct Park. Due to some recent achievements the Remsen seems a reliable indicator of Triple Crown success. DORNOCH took last years Remsen and then went on to Win the Belmont Stakes as well as the Haskell Stakes. SIERRA LEONE ran 2nd to DORNOCH in last years contest. He lost the Kentucky Derby by a nose and came … Continue reading The Remsen Stakes
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
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?
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
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
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 !
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 ?
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
