The 2025 Belmont at The Big A fall meet is set to kick-off on Thursday (9/11) at Aqueduct Park. The top horses, jockeys, and trainers will converge on Belmont at the Big A for some of the season’s best turf racing, as well as a batch of top-notch 2-year-olds, with lots of prime wagering opportunities. East coast racing fans can expect nearly two months (32 racing … Continue reading Belmont @ The Big A
In the racing form/program within every entrants past performances there is always an indication of the types of races in which they participated. For many of the upper echelon of horses that means Graded Stakes races. For example, Travers Stakes (G1). But for those unfamiliar with the sport, the G1 probably doesn’t resonate. So, just what is a Graded Stakes race? In the U.S. a Graded Stakes … Continue reading Making The Grade
The 2025 Saratoga racing season crossed the wire on Monday. Total attendance was slightly up, but the overall wagering handle slightly was down from 2024. In total, the 40-day meet still drew more than 1 million in paid attendance and saw just under $800 million wagered. Here are some of the pertinent numbers for the regular summer meet of 2025: ATTENDANCE: The New York Racing … Continue reading Saratoga 2025 By The Numbers
Saturday is the 156th edition of the Travers Stakes– the marquee race of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. The 1 ¼-mile Travers is the most important race in the 3-year-old male division aside from the Triple Crown series in the spring and summer. The Mid-Summer Derby often proves a crucial test for determining the 3-year-old Champion at year’s end. Here is a brief look … Continue reading Who Wins The Travers Stakes?
On Saturday Saratoga Race Course will present the 156th edition of the Travers Stakes. The $1.25 million-dollar Mid-Summer Derby is contested at 1 1/4 miles on the main track. Is SOVEREIGNTY poised for victory, or is an upset is in the offing? Here are five furlongs of historic trends that may help you discern the most likely winner of the Grade 1 Travers: 1. Deep Closers … Continue reading Travers Trends & Tendencies
The inaugural Alabama Stakes was held in 1872. To this day it continues to be one of the most important races in the 3-year-old filly division. Here is a brief look at Saturday’s field: 1. MARGIE’S INTENTION [ML 8-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Brad Cox. Since stretching out to a mile for her second race after an unplaced finish in her career sprint debut, she … Continue reading Who Wins The Alabama ?
The Grade 1, $750,000 dollar Sword Dancer is Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. The race is a win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf November 1st at Del Mar. Here is a brief look at the field of nine runners: 1. EL CORDOBES [ML 4-1] Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: Flavien Prat. This is his first trip to America. The 4-year-old won a Group 2 at Newmarket … Continue reading Who Wins The Sword Dancer?
The $1 million-dollar, Grade 1 Whitney Stakes is Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. It is one of the most important races in the Breeders’ Cup Classic division as well as one of the marquee summertime races in U.S. horse racing. The 1 1/8-mile dirt race is a Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the BC Classic, giving the Winner an automatic berth to the $7 million dollar … Continue reading Who Wins The Whitney ?
Saturday is the Grade 2, $500,000 dollar Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes Winner SOVEREIGNTY is the heavy favorite. The race, which is restricted to 3-year-olds, drew a field of five who will race 1 1/8 miles on Saratoga’s main track. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. BAEZA [ML 3-1] Trainer: John Shirreffs. Jockey: Hector Berrios. Shows up … Continue reading Will SOVEREIGNTY Reign Supreme?
The million dollar, Grade 1 Haskell Stakes is Saturday at Monmouth Park. It is the first major race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds since the end of the Triple Crown series back in early June. The Haskell is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In Challenge Series, offering the Winner an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $7 million dollar BC Classic at Del Mar on November … Continue reading Who Wins The Haskell ?
