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
If any one of the leading riders at Saratoga wants to compete in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in September, there is a decision to made within a couple of weeks. Last week, Churchill Downs announced that any jockey wanting to ride in the Run For The Roses on September 5th would have to be in Louisville by August 24th so they can … Continue reading Saratoga Jockey Quandary
Jack Knowlton is the head of Sackatoga Stables– the Saratoga, New York group that owns this years Travers, and Belmont Stakes Winner TIZ THE LAW. It was 17 years ago that this same group had Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Winner FUNNY CIDE– trained by Barclay Tagg, who happens to be the conditioner for TIZ THE LAW. Back in 2003 Tagg opted not to run FUNNY … Continue reading TIZ Twas Great !
