Monday we wrote about the racing rivals, today The rider. 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 … Continue reading The Kid Is 62
There are lots of so-called rivalries in sports. But there are few whose status lives on and can stand up to the test of time. It is one small three letter word that is the barometer for these athletic battles that grow more legendary with each passing generation. That word? AND. It’s just that simple. Whenever you cannot name one participant without the reflexive action … Continue reading AFFIRMED & ALYDAR
Three take-a-ways from three of the major players in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. EARLY VOTING : Jockey Jose Ortiz has ridden the Preakness Stakes Winner in each of his four career starts, but his time with the horse extends well beyond that. When trainer Chad Brown needed Ortiz to work the horse in the morning, he always answered the call, something some accomplished jockeys are reluctant to do. “I’ve been … Continue reading Preakness In The Rear-View
There is no Triple Crown on the line in this year’s $1.65 million Preakness Stakes. But Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will face the 2nd- and 4th-place finishers from the Derby. The Preakness is scheduled as race 13 on a card of 14, with a scheduled Post Time of 7:05. Here then is a look at the field. 1. SIMPLIFICATION [ML 6-1] Trainer: Antonio Sano. Jockey: John Velazquez. … Continue reading Creative Secret
Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE is not running in the Preakness in order to rest up for the Belmont Stakes. Regardless, the 147th running of the $1.5 million dollar Grade 1 Preakness May 21st at Pimlico should still be an exceptionally exciting race. Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will attempt to become the seventh filly in history to Win the race, following in the footsteps of … Continue reading Shhh ! It’s A Secret
The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is the second leg of U.S Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, taking place just two weeks after the fabled Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. But what a difference two weeks makes in how horseplayers approach handicapping the two races. The Preakness in contrast to the Derby receives considerably less attention from a trends and angles perspective, with … Continue reading Preakness Trends
As the horse racing faithful are, no doubt, already aware, Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE will bypass the May 21st Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in favor of a run in the June 11th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, announced owner Rick Dawson on Friday. “Our original plan for RICH STRIKE was contingent on the Kentucky Derby,” Dawson said in a release. “Should we not run in … Continue reading No Triple Crown
The Kentucky Derby, as wonderful as it was, is over. As is the mindset for most horse-players; onto the next race. The Preakness Stakes, even with 146 years of history behind it, is an incredibly modern event- half elite day of horse racing, half festival. The middle jewel of the Triple Crown has evolved into a destination event for sports and music fans across the country. If … Continue reading Preakness Basics
The three races that comprise the historic Triple Crown series of races abounds with stories of both people and horses- names that inspire generations of racing fans to dive into the recounting of the tales of these essential moments. As we get ever closer to the first Saturday in May, why not pass the days leading up to Triple Crown by revisiting the names and faces … Continue reading Some Triple Crown Reading
The 38th Breeders’ Cup Championships are set for November 5-6 at Del Mar Race Course. Ever since the late John Gaines’ vision became a reality back in 1984 with the inaugural Breeders’ Cup at Hollywood Park, the event has brought together the best of the best in the horse world to compete in a group of races that offer both money (huge purses) and prestige (influencing the year-end Eclipse … Continue reading Breeders’ Cup Is Special
