The Belmont Stakes has become a tricky race to handicap lately for several reasons. While favorites have triumphed about 40 percent during the past 142 races, that hasn’t been the case the last three decades as only six won — 23 percent. And 15 winners during the past 30 years rewarded backers with double-digit returns [...]

This past Saturday gave us a glimpse of greatness that has passed. The talk is starting to roll, and even the professionals are questioning the motives of Rachel Alexandra. Andy Beyer was quoted in the Washington Post as saying that “her glory days are over.” The Personal Ensign Stakes showed us that she will continue [...]

The Travers is America’s oldest recorded stakes race for thoroughbreds, staged in a most historic setting – Saratoga Springs. The area about 160 miles north of New York City began attracting wealthy pilgrims because of carbonated mineral springs. It’s where decisive battles were fought during the American Revolution and Civil War. The 1777 Battle of [...]

The word is out again perpetuating a racing myth that won’t go away — the Belmont Stakes belongs to stretch runners. A couple of examples from two major racing websites that will go nameless: “Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box, the likely morning-line favorite for the June 5 Belmont Stakes, breezed four furlongs in 49 3/5 [...]