Things are looking up in horse racing this weekend as action resumes Friday at Santa Anita and Saturday at Churchill Downs. There is even more good news as various state lock-downs due to the coronavirus are being relaxed: Belmont Park has reopened its main track for training and Churchill Downs announced a very tentative schedule of new Road to the Kentucky Derby points races. A … Continue reading Churchill, Santa Anita, Back In Business
As a guest Saturday on Horse Racing Radio Network 54-year-old Mike Smith told host Mike Penna that he wants to get back to riding as soon as possible, amid a shutdown at Santa Anita Park. “Another two to three years if all goes well.” That was Smith’s response when asked how much longer he would like to continue to ride. Enshrined in the National Museum of … Continue reading ‘Big Money’ Mike Smith
The racing office at Santa Anita really stretched out to find seven contenders for Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 dollar San Felipe Stakes— which regardless of its field size and betting potential is a notable stop on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail. No fewer than four serious Triple Crown hopefuls will line up in the eighth race of the day, a 1 1/16-mile test allotting Derby … Continue reading The San Felipe Stakes
He was orphaned as a young boy in London. Wounded by German artillery in World War II. Employed by Santa Anita Park since 1961. His name is John Shear, and he is the track’s beloved Paddock Captain. John will celebrate his 99th birthday between races with family, friends and co-workers this Friday, January 17th. A former exercise rider, groom and assistant trainer who had originally … Continue reading 99 Years Young
Saturday was opening day of the winter meet at Santa Anita Park. It proved to be a memorable one for jockey Mike Smith. In the process of Winning four of seven Stakes races on the card, Smith bested Jerry Bailey as the all-time leader among jockeys for Grade 1 Wins in North America. Smith surpassed his fellow Hall of Famer, with Win number 217, when OMAHA … Continue reading The Amazing Mike Smith
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey on Thursday issued a 17-page report on the deaths of horses at Santa Anita Park with more than two dozen recommendations on how to improve safety at all California racetracks. The report found no criminal wrongdoing at Santa Anita Park. “Horse racing has inherent risks, but is a legally sanctioned sport in California,” Lacey said. “Greater precautions are … Continue reading DA Reports On Santa Anita
Let’s raise a glass to VINO ROSSO. Nothing could stop him this time. The 4-year-old son of CURLIN, an enigma for much of his career, finally put it all together in Winning (just as the Daily Racing Blog had predicted on Friday) the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic by 4 ¼-lengths over MCKINZIE on Saturday at Santa Anita Park. It was the first Classic victory for … Continue reading Vintage Vino
This year’s edition of the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic– the signature event of championship weekend, is shaping up as one of the most wide-open in recent memory. This is a result of what’s been a largely muddled season in the older male and 3-year-old dirt divisions. It also means plenty will be on the line with regards to year-end Eclipse Awards in what should … Continue reading Breeders’ Cup Classic
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies race is Friday at Santa Anita Park. It is run on the dirt at a distance of 1 mile & 1/16th. It is race seven on the card, with a scheduled Post Time of 5:32 Eastern Time. The contest has a purse of 2 million dollars. Here then is a look at the field of nine: #1 DONNA VELOCE [ML … Continue reading Juvenile Fillies
This years Breeders’ Cup will offer a unique slate of programming in commemoration of ZENYATTA — one of the greatest racehorses of all time. This celebration is being held on the 10th anniversary of her historic Victory at Santa Anita Park in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, when she became the first-ever female to Win the world-renowned race. “ZENYATTA’s accomplishments are among the most legendary … Continue reading The Queen Of Horse Racing
