The Road to the Kentucky Derby runs through Oaklawn Park Saturday, for the $1.25 million dollar, Grade 2 Rebel Stakes. An ambitious field of 13 entrants is set to line up for this 1 1/16-mile event, with 50 qualifying Derby points going to the Winner. The race was inaugurated in 1961 as the Rebel Handicap, and was changed to the Rebel Stakes in 1984. That same year, the … Continue reading Do The Rebel (Yell) Stakes
The Kentucky Derby is not only the most anticipated, most watched Thoroughbred race in the world but an essential part of American sports culture. Memories are made with each Run For The Roses that over the passage of time become legend, not only to day-to-day followers of horse racing but to the general public. While the most memorable Derbys usually involve a heavily-favored horse Winning and thus … Continue reading Kentucky Derby Upsets
This years Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 4th. It is the 150th anniversary for the landmark event. So it stands to reason that this year’s milestone race will be the richest in the history of America’s greatest race. The 2024 Kentucky Derby purse has been elevated to a guaranteed $5 million. The substantial $2 million increase to the 1 ¼-mile race for for 3-year-olds highlights a … Continue reading Derby Purse Increases
There’s one horseracing term that immediately inspires respect, and even awe from people within the racing industry, long-time railbirds, and even from those with little knowledge of the sport – the Triple Crown. The difficulty of capturing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, at three different distances, on three tracks, all in the span of five weeks can not be overstated. That task is such a tall … Continue reading Triple Crown Fascination
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
When former NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin walks down Broadway in Saratoga Springs, it is almost as if he is stepping back in time. Fans often stop him to remind him of one of his legendary race calls and to express their appreciation for his extraordinary career. Those conversations mean the world to Durkin: “You’re walking down the street and somebody stops you and has something really nice to say to you about … Continue reading The Incomparable Tom Durkin
One of the most popular racehorses of this century has passed away. The 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes Winner FUNNY CIDE died due to complications of colic at 23 years old. The son of DISTORTED HUMOR who ran out of Sackatoga Stables Won $3,529,412 in 38 starts. The gelding retired in 2007 with a record of 11-6-8 for trainer Barclay Tagg. Undefeated as a 2-year-old, New … Continue reading A Funny (Cide) Thing Happened
The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races, and given its longevity the contest has seen its fair share of upsets, with the majority of those have come in roughly the last third of the race’s 154-year history. During the post-World War II era, 20 horses have come into the Belmont Stakes with Wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, … Continue reading Historic Belmont Stakes Upsets
A few observations from the 2nd leg of the 2023 Triple Crown: Polarizing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert made all the right moves in preparing his colt for the trip east to run in the Preakness Stakes. From equipment to the timing involved in shipping NATIONAL TREASURE from California to Baltimore, Baffert did not bungle his shot at Winning his record 8th Preakness. The addition of … Continue reading Some Preakness Impressions
The $1.65 million Preakness Stakes is down to a field of seven. FIRST MISSION was scratched, which leaves Kentucky Derby Winner MAGE only six horses to beat, to pick up the second jewel in his Triple Crown bid. For the first time this century there will be only one horse from the Kentucky Derby to return in two weeks for the Preakness as MAGE will try … Continue reading Who Wins The Preakness ?
