DRB is based out of New York state, so while the acronym NYRA is common to us, there may be others who aren’t so familiar with the organization. For the uninitiated we offer this brief profile as an introduction. The New York Racing Association was founded in 1955, and is headquartered in Jamaica, NY. It is a not-for-profit that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse racing … Continue reading New York Racing Association
The race course at Saratoga is referred to as “The Graveyard of Favorites”. But a more apt name might be “The Graveyard of Champions”. Throughout the history of horse racing, some of the worlds most amazing thoroughbreds have humbly learned how the track earned that sobriquet. One of the earliest unforeseen victories took place in August 1919 when MAN O’ WAR raced as the heavy favorite … Continue reading The Graveyard Of Favorites
There are many so-called rivalries in sports. But there are few whose status lives on and can stand up to the test of time. It is one small three letter word that is the barometer for these athletic battles that grow more legendary with each passing generation. That word? And. It’s just that simple. Whenever you cannot name one participant without the reflexive action of … Continue reading Affirmed & Alydar
The jargon used in or around the horse track can seem like a foreign language to those new to the game or the atmosphere that surrounds it. But given some time, and due diligence you too can some day talk the talk. You will overhear someone say; “I like his chances. He had a bullet workout here last week, and he’s got the bug-boy riding … Continue reading Race Track Rhetoric Cont…
The latest Triple Crown winner JUSTIFY is taking a well deserved respite from racing. The question for the thoroughbred racing world is, will he race again this year? Or at all? His connections sold his breeding rights to Coolmore Breeders for 60 million, plus an added 15 million dollar bonus for winning the Triple Crown. So right there you’ve got 75 very large reasons not to … Continue reading Run JUSTIFY Run
What are familiar words and phrases to us at DRB are not as widely known to the casual horse player- or so we’re told. We’ll pick up where we left off alphabetically last time out in our quest to acquaint track-side tyros. Eased: A horse pulled up during the course of a race before the finish line. Usually due to injury. Entry: Two or more horses owned by the … Continue reading Equine Education Cont…
There will always be thoroughbreds that battle back. That dig in down the home stretch, and find a reserve of power that propels them across the finish line. These animals remind us of the exhilaration that one gets from giving everything, and pushing to, and possibly beyond ones limit. These beautiful stallions sate our hunger for something that was once perhaps grand and noble in … Continue reading Saratoga Race Course
It was the most important race of the young colts life. And JUSTIFY ran free in the Belmont Stakes- he liberated himself from the other nine runners as he went wire to wire and was never seriously threatened. He was paroled of the fatigue and misfortune that put to ruin many a Triple Crown attempt prior to his. Also gone was the pressure of the 2015 Triple … Continue reading ALL HAIL JUSTIFY
The Belmont Stakes is a grueling 1.5 mile ‘Test of Champions’. Whether a Triple Crown is in the offing or not, horses (in America) generally top out at a mile and a quarter for their longest race(s). Add to that the weight of having won the first two legs of the series, and in position to become a TC winner, it is a daunting task. … Continue reading Belmont Picks
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes were inaugurated as The Triple Crown of horse racing in 1875. Since that time 35 colts have gone into The Belmont Stakes with a chance at racing history. Twelve horses have basked in the glory while 23 others had Triple Crown dreams dashed. Will JUSTIFY prevail Saturday? Or will he become the 24th casualty to crumble in the 1.5 … Continue reading Full Belmont Stakes Field
