Last week we looked at some Winning attitudes attributed to successful horseplayers. Seeing as how it’s the resolution time of year, today’s topic is bad habits (at the track), and how to overcome them. We all have them, from novices to the railbirds. Some bad (track) habits are worse than others. The good news is that you can break a habit, but first you need to identify … Continue reading Break The Bad Habits
2020, as we at DRB so commonly referred to as a dumpster-fire, was a challenging year on so many levels. But the successful completion of the racing season did bring some consolation with a number of feel-good stories. Here are just a few: Aftercare Aid. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced in late November that it had awarded $3.5 million dollars in grants to 81 Thoroughbred … Continue reading 2020 Wasn’t ALL bad
Nick Zito grew up near Aqueduct Racetrack. His father would take him to the track as a young lad. But back in the day there were age restrictions on admission to the track. So the elder Zito would leave young Nicholas with a friend of his, who just happened to be a security guard at the Big A. It was there and then that Zito … Continue reading A Classic New York Bred
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Friday that America’s Day at the Races will broadcast its final edition of 2020 with coverage and analysis of Saturday’s Grade 1, $250,000 dollar Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Racetrack. Presented by America’s Best Racing and Claiborne Farms, America’s Day at the Races will air Saturday from 1-4:30 p.m. on MSG+ and 3:30-4:30 p.m. on FS2. The Cigar Mile … Continue reading TV Coverage Wrapping Up For The Year
As teenagers, some youngsters tend to think the world is theirs for the taking. Not so for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Mr. Mott did not dream big as a youth. “I was 18 years old and hauling horses around in a two-horse trailer to the bush tracks,” recalled the native of Mobridge, South Dakota. “I never imagined training for anybody else other than … Continue reading Mr. Bill Mott
Jockey Javier (JJ) Castellano will take off the final six weeks of 2020 to address a minor issue in his right leg and plans to return to race-riding in early- to-mid-January at Gulfstream Park. On Monday, Castellano will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right leg, near the hip, to clean up some debris in the area. The procedure will be performed by orthopedic surgeon Bryan … Continue reading JJ Going On The DL
We have written here before that the Daily Racing Blog was first introduced to the wonderful world of horse racing by way of Uncle Louie. And while Uncle Louie may not have been a blood relation, he was somehow integrated as a part of the family. It was the type of situation where you didn’t ask HOW he was your Uncle until later in life, … Continue reading Support Your Local Horse Track
The racing season at Saratoga is over. And while no fans were allowed on the historic grounds at the racetrack, that did not deter those that still wanted to Wager on the races. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) successfully concluded its 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course without interruption and with all-sources handle topping $700 million dollars for the second consecutive year. The … Continue reading The Spa Is Over
The Daily Racing Blog recently wondered if the top riders at Saratoga would miss the last week of the meet in order to participate in the Kentucky Derby on September 9th. Well it seems the Ortiz brothers (1st and 2nd in the jockey standings) feel they can make more hay in Saratoga than they could in Louisville. Both Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr. will skip … Continue reading Top Two Spa Riders Staying Put
The 140th running of the $500,000 dollar, Grade 1 Albama Stakes drew a field of seven 3-year-old fillies who will try the mile and a quarter distance for the first time. In addition to the purse, the Alabama also offers Kentucky Oaks qualifying points (100-40-20-10) for the top four finishers. Any fillies going from this historic Saratoga race to the first Friday in September at … Continue reading Sweet Home Alabama
