The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico follows (in a normal year) the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby as the second leg of the Triple Crown series- taking place just two weeks after the fabled first jewel of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. But handicappers (should) know that they need a different approach to this race, just fourteen days removed from the Run For The Roses. The … Continue reading Preakness Tips & Trends
The Preakness Stakes, even with its 147 years of history, is a strangely modern event. Half elite day of horse racing, half festival, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown has evolved into a destination event for sports and music fans across the country. If you’re new to horse racing and/or the Preakness Stakes, here are the basics about Baltimore’s biggest party. WHO: Elite 3-Year-Olds…Male & Female. … Continue reading A Preakness Primer
For us race fans in the northeast winter is (hopefully) over, so bring on the sun and fun of summertime racing. But, to paraphrase an old adage, into every horse race meet a little rain must fall. Unlike baseball, Horse Racing usually goes on before, during, and after a rainstorm and there are some general handicapping concepts that you should keep on hand for… a … Continue reading Betting Mudders
The big story leading up to the Run For The Roses was the horses who weren’t competing in the Derby. Two of the favorites—FORTE and PRACTICAL MOVE as well as LORD MILES, CONTINUAR and SKINNER—were all scratched for varying reasons. FORTE was the prohibitive favorite at 3-1 but was removed from the race just hours before the start with a bruised right front foot. It … Continue reading Kentucky Derby Recap
It has been a bizarre week in Louisville, and those that follow the sport are aware of all that has happened. And be it good or bad, thoroughbred racing takes the international spotlight Saturday at Churchill Downs. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the 149th Kentucky Derby while millions more watch the race on a national television broadcast in the U.S. and through other outlets … Continue reading Who Wins The Kentucky Derby ?
A week from tomorrow is the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. But if you’ll allow the Daily Racing Blog a bit of hometown pride, we’d like to harken back to the 1918 edition of the Run For The Roses. EXTERMINATOR was the 30-1, long-shot Winner of the Derby 105 years ago. EXTERMINATOR was owned by Willis Sharpe Kilmer of Binghamton, who gained his wealth and notoriety selling Swamp … Continue reading Local Legend
The Kentucky Derby is ten days away. For the field of twenty 3-year-old Thoroughbreds competing, it is one of the most important moments of their lives and racing luck can make or break their Derby run literally right from the start. It’s called the luck of the draw for a reason. The Kentucky Derby has used a starting gate since 1930; and traditionally two of … Continue reading Post Positions Matter
The Kentucky Derby is less than three weeks away and while plenty can (and will) happen between now and May 6th, here are three story lines already in play at Churchill Downs. THE PLETCHER FACTOR The Hall of Famer has Won the Kentucky Derby twice, first with SUPER SAVER in 2010 and then ALWAYS DREAMING in 2017. Pletcher may very well have the top two … Continue reading Some Derby Subplots
The Kentucky Derby was first held in 1875 and ranks as the longest continuously held major sporting event in the United States. This year will mark the 149th edition of the Run For The Roses, which had been held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs every year since 1946 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the race in 2020 until September 5th. The rich history surrounding … Continue reading Derby Tidbits’
As the racing community celebrates the 50th anniversary of the greatness that was SECRETARIAT in his Triple Crown Winning season, it would be remiss not to talk about the beginning of the G.O.A.T’s racing career. Most of the fans in attendance at Aqueduct on July 4, 1972 probably had no idea that they had just witnessed the debut of one of the greatest horses who ever raced. … Continue reading SECRETARIAT’s Humble Start
