What A Ride For ‘The Kid’

Over 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 three Eclipse Awards—outstanding apprentice and journeyman … Continue reading What A Ride For ‘The Kid’

Overshadowed SHAM

Most horse racing enthusiasts of a certain age recognize that SECRETARIAT was one of the best — if not THE best — racehorses of all time. Over fifty years later Big Red’s career still resonates with some of the most unforgettable performances in the history of the sport. During the 1973 Triple Crown, SECRETARIAT had a rivalry with a talented colt in his own right, SHAM.   A … Continue reading Overshadowed SHAM

Ron & Red

SECRETARIAT, arguably the greatest racehorse of all time, passed away in 1989. 36 years later the jockey of BIG RED– Ron Turcotte has moved into the big Winner’s Circle in-the-sky. One cannot celebrate the greatness that was SECRETARIAT without recognizing Turcotte as a vital member of that dynamic Triple Crown winning team. Watching replays of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in 1973 it appears as if Turcotte was … Continue reading Ron & Red

Rider Up

Ron Turcotte, the legendary jockey who achieved fame and acclaim for his achievements with SECRETARIAT passed away on Friday. He was 84 years of age. Turcotte’s longtime representative Leonard Lusky said in a statement Friday; ‘Ron was a great jockey and an inspiration to so many, both within and outside the racing world.” Turcotte famously rode SECRETARIAT to the Triple Crown in 1973, sweeping the … Continue reading Rider Up

SOVEREIGNTY Reigns Supreme

When trainer Bill Mott decided that Kentucky Derby Winner SOVEREIGNTY would bypass the Preakness Stakes the racing world let out a collective groan as that guaranteed there would not be a potential Triple Crown bid this year. After Saturday’s Belmont Stakes @ Saratoga there can be no second-guessing the Hall of Fame trainer, as SOVEREIGNTY drew away from Preakness Winner JOURNALISM by three lengths in the … Continue reading SOVEREIGNTY Reigns Supreme

Who Wins The Belmont Stakes?

The 157th edition of the Belmont Stakes is set to run Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. The $2 million-dollar, Grade 1 race moved to the historic upstate New York track last year when Belmont Park began a remodeling project that continues this year. That means that the Belmont Stakes, traditionally held at 1 ½ miles on the Big Sandy, will for the second year in a row be … Continue reading Who Wins The Belmont Stakes?

Belmont Stakes Basics

The Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 7th. As a matter of course the race is usually the final leg of racing’s Triple Crown, usually that is, unless a global pandemic upsets the order of things. The race typically is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY but that circuit is currently undergoing a massive renovation. That construction necessitated the shifting of its signature race to … Continue reading Belmont Stakes Basics

Triple Crown Rematch?

The possibility of a rematch between Kentucky Derby Winner SOVEREIGNTY and Saturday’s Preakness Champion JOURNALISM is, at the moment, a wait and see proposition. SOVEREIGNTY bypassed the Preakness in order to (properly) prepare for the Belmont Stakes. JOURNALISM the Derby 2nd place finisher, posted a super-hero like effort to take the second leg of the Triple Crown. Without the possibility of a Triple Crown Winner this … Continue reading Triple Crown Rematch?

Who Wins The Preakness?

The $2 million dollar, 1 3/16 miles, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes is Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. The second leg of the Triple Crown will not feature the Kentucky Derby Winner SOVEREIGNTY as his connections elected to bypass the 150th edition of the Preakness and are pointing him to the Belmont Stakes (at Saratoga) on June 7th. Even without the Derby Winner this year’s Preakness … Continue reading Who Wins The Preakness?

Who Wins The Black-Eyed Susan?

Kentucky Derby weekend starts in earnest with the Friday running of the Kentucky Oaks. The Preakness Stakes kicks-off its weekend of festivities on Friday with the Black-Eyed Susan. The $300,000 dollar, Grade II for 3-year-old fillys is not a Grade 1 Stakes like the Oaks, but this year’s Black-Eyed Susan offers a solid field that should be an interesting race to watch and wager on. Here’s … Continue reading Who Wins The Black-Eyed Susan?