Forty-one years ago, a dark brown colt purchased at a bargain-basement price by some thoroughbred neophytes made horse racing history. His name was SEATTLE SLEW and his memorable two-month run of 1977 began at Churchill Downs. He was purchased as a yearling for the paltry price of $17,500 by Karen and Mickey Taylor of White Swan, Washington, at the annual Fasig-Tipton auction.  Just a few years … Continue reading SEATTLE SLEW

The 9th race is the feature event at Keeneland Racecourse Saturday, with the running of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.  It is a race (by invitation only) for fillies, three years-old and upward, run at a distance of a mile & 1/8th on the turf course.  It is a Grade One Stakes Race, with a purse of $500,000 dollars.  Here are the eight who accepted the … Continue reading Q.E. II Challenge Cup @ Keeneland

SEABISCUIT was the perfect horse for his time. He did not look the part of a great racehorse.  He was relatively small and knobby-kneed with a laid-back demeanor that suggested he would much rather sleep than step into the starting gate.  It appeared he could not run a lick when he dropped the first 17 starts of his career.  He was the butt of bad jokes, … Continue reading “The Biscuit”

Located in Lexington, Kentucky (sometimes known as the Horse Capitol of the World) Keeneland is an internationally renowned racecourse as well as the thoroughbred industries leading auction house, conducting three sales a year. Founded in 1936, Keeneland continues to live up to its original mission statement to reinvest in the industry and to preserve the tradition of thoroughbred racing.  It was dedicated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.  Keeneland … Continue reading Keeneland Racecourse

It’s another great day of autumn racing at Belmont Park Saturday.  The card will have three Graded Stakes Races, with the feature of the trio being the 10th race, with the running of the Grade One Champagne Stakes.  It is a race for two year-olds, at a distance of one mile on the main track, with a purse of $500,000 dollars.  In addition to the prize … Continue reading The Champagne Stakes

Physically you need to weigh between 108-118 pounds.  There is no height limit for jockeys, though most are fairly short, given the weight limitation.  The lankiest of jockeys is no more than 5 foot 5 inches tall.  And despite your diminutive stature you must be able to control a horse that weighs 1,200 pounds, and travels at a speed of 40 MPH.  Doing all this … Continue reading You Want To Be A Jockey ?

#1  CARLINO.  Jockey: Jose Lezcano.  Trainer: Mark Hennig.  ML 30-1 #2 GRONKOWSKI.  Jockey: Jose Ortiz.  Trainer: Chad Brown. ML 4-1 #3  MENDELSSOHN.  Jockey: Ryan Moore.  Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.  ML 7-2 #4  PATCH.  Jockey: Louis Saez.  Trainer: Todd Pletcher.  ML 20-1 #5  UNO MAS MODELO.  Jockey: Javier Castellano.  Trainer: Anthony Quartarolo ML 30-1 #6  DIVERSIFY.  Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.  Trainer: Richard Violette Jr.  ML 4-5 #7  DISCREET LOVER.  Jockey: Manuel Franco.  Trainer: Uriah St. Lewis.  ML 15-1 #8  THUNDER SNOW.  Jockey: Christophe … Continue reading Jockey Gold Cup Field

The 100th running of the Jockey Gold Cup will be held Saturday at Belmont Park.  It is a Grade 1 Stakes Race, run on the main (dirt) track at a distance of a 1.25 miles.  Total prize money for this contest is $750,000 dollars. Given that this race made its debut in 1919, there have been many historic moments. Here are a few noteworthy ones: Only one horse … Continue reading Jockey Gold Cup

The BC Juvenile has been a part of the BC race schedule since the event began in 1984.  It is a race for two year-old colts or geldings, run on dirt, at a distance of a mile & 1/16th.  It’s purse this year is two million dollars, making it the richest juvenile race in North America. Typically it is the first time that the best two year-old … Continue reading The Breeders Cup Juvenile