The daughter of a British Army officer who settled in Ireland, Janet Elliot came to the United States after her plans fell through to accompany an Irish horse show to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.  Once she arrived in America, Elliot took a job with horsewoman Betty Bird. Elliot soon went to work for future Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, whom she stayed with … Continue reading First Lady

SANTA CLAUS (foaled in 1961) was a British-bred, Irish trained racehorse and sire.  As a three year-old in 1964 the dark coated bay stallion had his best year on the turf.  His most notable achievements were winning The Irish 2000 Guineas Stakes, as well as the Epsom Derby, and Irish Derby. These victories (in part) earned SANTA CLAUS the 1964 British Horse Of The Year award. The Daily Racing Blog would like … Continue reading Santa Claus

The 145th running of the $2 million dollar, Grade I  Kentucky Derby will be run Saturday, May 4, 2019 and for the seventh consecutive year, a tiered point system in select races will determine who qualifies for America’s greatest race.  Each year 20 horses have the once in a lifetime chance to run Run For The Roses.  To earn a spot in the starting gate, they must travel along … Continue reading The Prep Races

Steve Cauthen was born May 1, 1960 in Covington, Ky.  He grew up around horses as his father was a trainer and a farrier.  Given that upbringing, along with his small size, horse racing was a logical career choice for Cauthen. His first race as a jockey was May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs.  He finished last.  Success, however, came quickly.  He rode his first winner … Continue reading ‘The Kid’

You’ve spent time and energy handicapping a race, you wait anxiously to see your choice set foot on the racetrack, whether in person or on television.  To your dismay, and/or puzzlement, you notice the horse you wagered on, sports bandages on his front legs.  Does this mean you immediately change your pick?  Does it mean proceed with caution?  Or does it mean nothing at all?  … Continue reading Bandages

Why do some race horses occasional wear blinders ?  Good question, but first a brief, rudimentary explanation of blinders; Blinders/blinkers are small squares of firm leather or canvas that attach to the bridle at the side of a horse’s head.  In the modern era of racing, blinders are more of a hood with half cups, as the photo indicates. It’s been said that blinders were … Continue reading Blinders

To say RACHEL ALEXANDRA’s accomplishments during her Horse of the Year campaign in 2009 were staggering, fails to do justice in describing one of the most impressive single-year ledgers of a filly in American racing history.  Simply stated, she was otherworldly as a 3-year-old, winning all eight of her starts and dazzling all who saw her along the way. RACHEL ALEXANDRA decimated the Kentucky Oaks field … Continue reading Oh, Rachel

The Grade 1, $300,000 dollar, Los Alamitos Futurity is being run on Saturday December 8th.  It is for two year-olds, run at a distance of a mile & 1/16 on the dirt.  It is a “Road To The Kentucky Derby” event with the winner of the race earning ten points toward a starting spot the first Saturday in May. It is a sparse field of six for this … Continue reading Race Of The Week

It has come to the attention of the Daily Racing Blog that we take for granted that all our readers have a working knowledge about the track conditions we often mention when talking about certain horses and/or races.  We will amend that issue right now. On Dirt Surfaces Fast:  Dry, even, and resilient.  Dry to the point of occasionally needing to be watered down by the grounds-crew. … Continue reading Track Conditions

In Fridays post the Daily Racing Blog made it’s selections for the 4 Graded Stakes races at Aqueduct Park on Saturday December 1st.  So in the spirit of transparency let’s see how we made out. First up was the fourth race in which DRB  chose AFLEET DESTINY, FILLY JOEL, MOLTO BELLA, and ENLIVEN. We were oh so close on this one, as a horse called POSITIVE SPIRIT got up at the wire to beat AFLEET DESTINY by a … Continue reading So How’d We Do?