The Triple Crown racing series has been less than compelling for most fans this year. That said, think about all the possible storylines setting up for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes in August at Saratoga. Five horses could make the Travers the race of the year. RICH STRIKE, EARLY VOTING and EPICENTER are the most important 3-year-olds who might enter, because of their big Triple Crown efforts … Continue reading Could Be A Tantalizing Travers
The Belmont Stakes is famous for being the final leg of the Triple Crown. And although there is no chance of a Triple Crown this year, the Belmont is still a very prestigious race with a wonderful history. For the uninitiated here are the basics, as we head toward that big day of racing on June 11th: WHO: ELITE 3-YEAR-OLDS. Winning the Belmont Stakes is literally … Continue reading Belmont Still A Big deal
Three take-a-ways from three of the major players in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. EARLY VOTING : Jockey Jose Ortiz has ridden the Preakness Stakes Winner in each of his four career starts, but his time with the horse extends well beyond that. When trainer Chad Brown needed Ortiz to work the horse in the morning, he always answered the call, something some accomplished jockeys are reluctant to do. “I’ve been … Continue reading Preakness In The Rear-View
There is no Triple Crown on the line in this year’s $1.65 million Preakness Stakes. But Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will face the 2nd- and 4th-place finishers from the Derby. The Preakness is scheduled as race 13 on a card of 14, with a scheduled Post Time of 7:05. Here then is a look at the field. 1. SIMPLIFICATION [ML 6-1] Trainer: Antonio Sano. Jockey: John Velazquez. … Continue reading Creative Secret
Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE is not running in the Preakness in order to rest up for the Belmont Stakes. Regardless, the 147th running of the $1.5 million dollar Grade 1 Preakness May 21st at Pimlico should still be an exceptionally exciting race. Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks Winner SECRET OATH will attempt to become the seventh filly in history to Win the race, following in the footsteps of … Continue reading Shhh ! It’s A Secret
The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is the second leg of U.S Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, taking place just two weeks after the fabled Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. But what a difference two weeks makes in how horseplayers approach handicapping the two races. The Preakness in contrast to the Derby receives considerably less attention from a trends and angles perspective, with … Continue reading Preakness Trends
The Kentucky Derby, as wonderful as it was, is over. As is the mindset for most horse-players; onto the next race. The Preakness Stakes, even with 146 years of history behind it, is an incredibly 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 … Continue reading Preakness Basics
Here is the 2nd half of the 2022 Kentucky Derby field which includes the late scratch of ETHEREAL ROAD and his replacement. 11. PIONEER OF MEDINA [ML 30-1] Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Joe Bravo. He was 3rd in the Louisiana Derby after pressing the pace, which is promising, but without a Stakes Win to his credit, he is just another longshot here chasing the connections Derby … Continue reading He Shoots, He Scores!
The road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby began on September 18th, 2021, and ended on April 16th, 2022. All told, there were 37 prep races that carried qualifying points. During the points era, Derby results have become remarkably consistent. After success in the 100-point prep races, Derby Winners usually raced as part of the early pace, getting clear of traffic problems that are so common farther … Continue reading Derby Field- First 10
Post Positions were drawn, and Morning line odds were assigned at Churchill Downs Monday afternoon for the 2022 edition of the Kentucky Derby. Here then is a preliminary look at the field: 1. MO DONEGAL [ML 10-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Top Speed Figure: 103 2. HAPPY JACK [ML 30-1 Jockey: Rafael Bejarano. Trainer: Doug O’Neil. Top Speed Figure: 98 3. EPICENTER [ML 7-2] Jockey: … Continue reading The Derby Field
