What’s In A Name ?
How do horses get their monikers? Well potential horse owners, here are some of the basics. First, you get a max of 18 characters (including spaces) to come up with a name. When you register a race horse you have to come up with something original. It can’t be vulgar or offensive in anyway. You can’t name a horse with initials or numbers. You can’t … Continue reading What’s In A Name ?
The Amazing KELSO
The Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, for the past 70 years, have been proving grounds for a long list of Thoroughbred racing’s greatest Champions. Some horses, though, transcend the sport’s most famous stages. Horses like KELSO. KELSO never ran in a Triple Crown race and his legendary career ended some 18 years before the Breeders’ Cup even began. Yet in eight years of racing, … Continue reading The Amazing KELSO
Javier Back In The Saddle
Hall Of Fame jockey Javier (JJ) Castellano has been out of action since mid-November due to leg surgery. He is set to return to riding this Wednesday, February 17th, at Gulfstream Park. Castellano, 43, is named aboard 3-year-old, Florida-bred SEXY DREAM, (a half-sister to multiple Graded-Stakes Winning millionaire JACKSON BEND) in Race 9, a starter/optional Claimer for 3-year-old fillies going one mile on the turf. … Continue reading Javier Back In The Saddle
The Risen Star
The Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star on Saturday has drawn a full field of 13 horses who will go nine furlongs in the first Kentucky Derby prep race of the year that offers the increased points level (50-20-10-5). The top four finishers from the Lecomte Stakes (G3), which was the first of the Derby preps this year at Fair Grounds, are in the field. Here is … Continue reading The Risen Star
The Stakes Are Rising
Saturday is the $400,000 dollar, Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. It is this years first prep race on the road to the Kentucky Derby to ratchet up the awards and offer a total of 85 qualifying points to the top four finishers. Those points are distributed on a scale of 50-20-10-5. Which means that the Winner will very likely secure … Continue reading The Stakes Are Rising
Go, Go, Go, Joe Talamo
The jockey colony at Oaklawn Park has grown more competitive as the purses have increased throughout the past decade. One notable addition is Joe Talamo who is back at the Hot Springs, Arkansas track this year for his second full season. Smokin’ Joe – a former mainstay in southern California who was featured on the Animal Planet Network reality show Jockeys – decided to trade Santa Anita Park for … Continue reading Go, Go, Go, Joe Talamo
The Derby & Covid Part 2
The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 1st, 2021. The health and safety of the entire racing community at Churchill Downs is the primary concern this year. Churchill Downs Inc. (which operates the facility) remains focused on following sound and proven health and safety protocols as they work toward the best experience possible for horse racing fans. They are working under … Continue reading The Derby & Covid Part 2
Virtual Eclipse (Awards)
The coronavirus pandemic impacted just about everything in 2020, including sports across the globe. Thoroughbred racing was no exception, but by May racetracks started reopening with limited or no fans allowed, while the horses and those who care for them got back to business. Not surprisingly, the pandemic also impacted the Eclipse Awards, which honor the Champions of 2020. The awards ceremony that crowned the Winners … Continue reading Virtual Eclipse (Awards)
It Was An Honour
Two years ago trainer Shug McGaughey followed Florida’s Road to the Kentucky Derby to a 2nd-place finish with CODE OF HONOR in the Run For The Roses. The Hall of Fame trainer found himself back on that illustrious path this past Saturday with a new Triple Crown candidate. GREATEST HONOUR powered his way to a 5 3/4-length Victory in the $200,000 dollar Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream … Continue reading It Was An Honour
Holy Bull Selections
Here is a full field analysis for the Holy Bull, which is slated as race 11 on a card of 12, with a scheduled Post Time of 4:50. 1) JIRAFALES [ML 20-1] Trainer: Gustavo Delgado. Jockey: John Velazquez. Broke his Maiden at first asking with a late run, to Win by almost five lengths at Gulfstream Park West against Florida-breds. He has been off since that … Continue reading Holy Bull Selections
