Thousands of people sashay into Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, and the horses garner most of attention.  But between races many folks will be checking out the headgear, and I speak not of the jockeys helmets.  No, it is the flamboyant hats, worn by the female attendees that catches the eye. But why hats ?  According to The Derby website it dates … Continue reading Kentucky Derby Hats

The Kentucky Derby is just three weeks away.  Owners and trainers are still trying to figure out if their best three-year olds are going to make ‘The Run For The Roses’ on May 5th.  So this week the Trail To The Grail leads us back to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the annual running of The Arkansas Derby.   Oaklawn Park last played host … Continue reading Race Of The Week

On Saturday May 5th, Churchill Downs Racetrack will host the 144th running of The Kentucky Derby.  Located at 700 Central Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, it is one of the oldest, and well known thoroughbred tracks in the country.  It is easily identified by its signature trademark the twin spires (steeples) that sit atop the grandstand.  The spires have no practical purpose, and were actually an … Continue reading Churchill Downs

The Kentucky Derby may be officially sponsored by Woodford Reserve Bourbon, but as I write this I am sipping on an Old Forester (Ready To Drink) Mint Julep- on ice.  “The Offical Drink Of The Kentucky Derby”.  At least that’s what is says on the bottle.  Okay, that was a shameless plug, moving on. It’s four weeks until the Kentucky  Derby so the pressure to garner … Continue reading Race Of The Week

These races are one step above most Claiming Races, the conditions are very similar except that the entered horses are not for sale.  The purses are generally higher than Maiden, and Claiming Races.  Allowance Races normally contain horses that have already broken their maiden. (won a maiden race)  Horses entered in Allowance Races aren’t quite ready for Stakes Races, they are, as a rule, being … Continue reading Allowance Races

Todd Pletcher Todd Pletcher is a renowned and respected name in today’s thoroughbred racing business.  His love for horses started at a very young age as he was a hot-walker for his father (also a trainer) when he was seven years old.  After high-school he enrolled in the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program and in 1989 graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science.  … Continue reading Profile

The Trail To The Grail continues this weekend at Gulfstream Park, as the annual Florida Derby takes place on Saturday.  It is a Grade 1 Stakes race with a one million dollar purse and 100 Kentucky Derby points to the winner.  A win here will punch the ticket to the starting gate for May 5th.  A comparatively short field of nine horses will take to … Continue reading Race Of The Week

This is the most common of all races.  A normal card of racing at most tracks will have a couple of Maiden Races, a few Claiming Races, an Allowance Race (I’ll get to those on another post) or two, with at least one Stakes/Handicap Race.  The feature race(s) of the day.  On special days, (Kentucky Derby, Travers Stakes, for example) usually on weekends, the card(s) … Continue reading Claiming Races

It is one of the most dangerous jobs in sports.  That of being a jockey on a thoroughbred race horse.  The best, and most consistent are very well compensated.    That said, Major League ball players don’t go to the ballpark everyday thinking they might not see their family again.  The jockey is a different breed of athlete.  Sports-casters, and columnists tend to use the … Continue reading In Memorium: Jose Flores

This week the Kentucky Derby Trail heads to The Fairgrounds Race Track in New Orleans, Louisiana.  It will be the 105th running of The Louisiana Derby.  It is a Grade 2 stakes race with a million dollar purse.  The winning horse also receives 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby.  A field of 10 will go a mile and an eighth over the main track.  It … Continue reading Race Of The Week