The Cigar Mile

The final Graded Stakes of the year in New York is Saturday, and it appears as though MAXIMUM SECURITY will have plenty of company in the $750,000 dollar, Grade 1 Cigar Mile Stakes on December 7th. The New York Racing Association officials have listed 11 entries in the Cigar Mile, one of four Graded Stakes on Saturday’s card at Aqueduct Park. MAXIMUM SECURITY, figures to … Continue reading The Cigar Mile

Trainers To Watch At Gulfstream

While the 2019 racing season is quickly winding down, there are some places where things are just beginning to heat up. The starting gates open for the winter season at Gulfstream Park on Friday, kicking off a meet that will bring some of the East’s best horses and horsemen to the South Florida track through late March. Given the length of the meet and a … Continue reading Trainers To Watch At Gulfstream

You May Always Ask Questions

Horse racing is a world of its own, and every racing newcomer has a few questions when they first dive into the sport (sometimes even after they’ve been in it for a while!).  Here are the answers to 11 questions that perhaps neophytes are too embarrassed to ask. 1. Why are horses scratched from a race? A scratch is when a horse is entered for … Continue reading You May Always Ask Questions

What Are Speed Figures?

In the course of the last 45 years, the biggest advancement in handicapping has probably been the emergence of speed figures. What is commonplace now was in its infancy back then when speed variants ruled the land. The variants were simplistic.  They were averages based on how many lengths above or below the track record the races on that day were. Speed figures took that … Continue reading What Are Speed Figures?

How To Bet An Exacta

An Exacta wager is an easy proposition.  Seemingly.  But betting an Exacta can present a challenge on several levels. There is, of course, the primary need to analyze past performances (always) and decide which horses are going to finish first and second. Yet because of the inherently lower payoffs as opposed to what you’ll find in a Pick 3 or Pick 4, you’ll need to … Continue reading How To Bet An Exacta

Vintage Vino

Let’s raise a glass to VINO ROSSO.  Nothing could stop him this time. The 4-year-old son of CURLIN, an enigma for much of his career, finally put it all together in Winning (just as the Daily Racing Blog had predicted on Friday) the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic by 4 ¼-lengths over MCKINZIE on Saturday at Santa Anita Park. It was the first Classic victory for … Continue reading Vintage Vino

Breeders’ Cup Classic

This year’s edition of the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic– the signature event of championship weekend, is shaping up as one of the most wide-open in recent memory. This is a result of what’s been a largely muddled season in the older male and 3-year-old dirt divisions. It also means plenty will be on the line with regards to year-end Eclipse Awards in what should … Continue reading Breeders’ Cup Classic