Belmont Stakes @ Saratoga

Saratoga Race Course will now add to its storied history by hosting the third leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, June 8th. Today New York Governor Kathy Hochul made it official that the 2024 G1 Belmont Stakes will be held for the first time at Saratoga and be run at 1 1/4 miles. Moving the final jewel in racings Triple Crown allows for the … Continue reading Belmont Stakes @ Saratoga

Making The Grade

When looking at any horses’ past performances there is always an indication of the types of races in which they participated. For many of the upper echelon of horses that means Graded Stakes races. For example, Travers Stakes (G1). But for those unfamiliar with the sport, the G1 probably doesn’t resonate. So what is a Graded Stakes race, you might ask? In the U.S. a Graded Stakes … Continue reading Making The Grade

ARCANGELO Ready For Arcadia

Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1) Winner ARCANGELO breezed five furlongs in 1:03.25 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.13 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga on Friday. “Everything was good,” trainer Jena Antonucci said. “It was what we were looking for, it was just a maintenance work today. It’s too soon for serious stuff. He had one previous breeze after [the Travers] and … Continue reading ARCANGELO Ready For Arcadia

Belmont @ The Big A

New York racing relocates back downstate to its temporary Autumn home at Aqueduct Park as the renovation project at Belmont continues. The 2023 Belmont at the Big A race meet is ready to commence on September 14th. The traditional Belmont Park fall meet, filled with big purses and loaded with important races, will once again be held at Aqueduct in 2023 for a 28-day season that will run four … Continue reading Belmont @ The Big A

The Spa Is Over

This is the time of year in horse racing 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 a … Continue reading The Spa Is Over

Who Wins The Travers Stakes ?

The 1 ¼-mile, Grade 1 Travers, known as the Mid-Summer Derby, is the centerpiece of the Saratoga meet and is, aside from the Triple Crown, the most sought after prize for 3-year-old racehorses. Here is a look at the very competitive field of seven: 1. FORTE [ML 7-5] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Was a veterinarian scratch on the morning of the Kentucky … Continue reading Who Wins The Travers Stakes ?

More Useful Travers Info

WHY MID-SUMMER DERBY ? A couple of reasons: the Travers is restricted to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, which is what defines a Derby. Also, because the race attracts such an incredible field, you’ll be seeing some of the stars of Triple Crown season at Saratoga on Saturday. THE MORE YOU KNOW. So, you already learned that only 3-year-old Thoroughbreds can run in the Travers; here’s some more … Continue reading More Useful Travers Info

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

Who Gets Away In The Alabama ?

The Alabama Stakes has long been one of the most important races in the United States for 3-year-old fillies. The list of past Winners reads like a who’s who of Distaff stars through the decades. The 1 ¼-mile test at Saratoga is the longest Grade 1 dirt stakes for 3-year-old fillies and a key race on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, hence this tough field of ten: … Continue reading Who Gets Away In The Alabama ?