The Art Of The Derby
The Kentucky Derby is five months away. And while it is still too early to have any horses entered in the annual contest, it’s apparently not too soon to announce the Official Art of the Kentucky Derby. And yes, that’s a real thing. Last week Churchill Downs released the 2023 Official Art of the Kentucky Derby, which will be provided by renowned international artist, Romero Britto. … Continue reading The Art Of The Derby
‘The Shoe’
At 4 feet 11 inches tall and 98 pounds, it didn’t look like Bill Shoemaker could lug a couple bags of groceries, let alone control a head-strong Thoroughbred Race Horse a dozen times his weight. Still, Shoemaker personified that mysterious bond between horse and rider. He communicated with an innate light touch on the reins, coaxing the horse into the action, gentling it with his hands. Horses … Continue reading ‘The Shoe’
They’re Racing At Oaklawn
The 2022-23 racing season opened today Oaklawn Park. The first organized horse racing at Oaklawn began on February 24, 1905. The Midwest track features some of the country’s top winter dirt racing. The 68-day racing season extends until Kentucky Derby day- May 6th. Racing at Oaklawn boasts big fields, good betting races for handicappers, an excellent stakes program, and very strong purses fueled by gaming … Continue reading They’re Racing At Oaklawn
Synthetic Surface, Yes Or No?
Mark Casse is one of the most successful trainers in North America. He has worked with some very talented horses; CLASSIC EMPIRE, SIR WINSTON, TEPIN, and WAR OF WILL just to name a few. Casse is well known and respected throughout the industry, so just like (dated reference alert) EF Hutton, when Mark Casse talks people should listen. “Horses were not bred to run on the dirt,” said the … Continue reading Synthetic Surface, Yes Or No?
DOPE
A New York-based veterinarian is facing three felony charges related to drug adulteration, misbranding, and wire fraud conspiracies. These charges stem from allegedly injecting purported performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) into racehorses, trained by co-defendant Jason Servis. Servis allegedly drugged almost all the Thoroughbreds under his care in 2019. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Alexander Chan, who hid the billing of Servis for these treatments, cut a plea … Continue reading DOPE
Popular Horse Racing Phrases
Ours is a sport with a lexicon all its own. People unfamiliar with horse racing would be surprised to learn that some expressions still being used today have their origins based in the sport of kings. So, let’s get out of the gate and take a look at a sampling: ACROSS THE BOARD. Meaning pertaining to all categories or things, originated around 1903 as a … Continue reading Popular Horse Racing Phrases
Looking For Value
The adage says that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So too, is wagering Value. As much as ascertaining Value is a key element in handicapping a race, it’s as subjective as any other part of trying to pick a Winner. There might not be a clear-cut answer, yet that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. What could be an overlay to one … Continue reading Looking For Value
Belated Birthday Greetings
The Daily Racing Blog wishes the incomparable Johnny Velazquez a belated Happy Birthday. The Hall Of Fame jockey celebrated his 51st lap around the solar track yesterday (Thanksgiving). A native of Puerto Rico, Johnny V as he’s affectionately known, is Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading money Winning jockey, with career purse earnings of more than $446 million from 6,357 Wins. A Winner of three Kentucky Derbies, Velazquez has Won … Continue reading Belated Birthday Greetings
Horse Gratitude
Thursday is Thanksgiving in America. A day to gather with family and friends, to enjoy each others company while being grateful for the opportunity to do so. As horse loving people it’s a good time to reflect on the sport and the equine athletes that draw us to the flame. Explaining the fundamental magic of horses is a large undertaking. But here are some folks … Continue reading Horse Gratitude
New NYRA Announcers
The 12th and final race of the card, on the last day of racing at Saratoga this summer was also the last call at The Spa for track announcer John Imbriale. Imbriale will retire as NYRA’s full-time track announcer at the end of 2022. While he will step away from the microphone at Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack, Imbriale will continue to serve as … Continue reading New NYRA Announcers
