The 144th Belmont Stakes: Pretenders, Maybes and Contenders I’ll Have Another undoubtedly will be heavily favored in the 144th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, like seven of the past 11 horses since 1979 that had a shot at immortality. But those odds-on favorites failed to visit the winner’s circle at the end of 1 ½ miles. […]
There have been many jinxes connected with the Kentucky Derby over the decades. And some memorable curses have been snapped during the 21st Century. One of the most discussed whammies ended in 2007 when Street Sense became the first 2-year-old champion to capture the Derby since Spectacular Bid in ’79. The son of Street Cry […]
On a cold and blustery afternoon, I walked past the ancient Sycamore tree and the familiar scent of horses caught my nostrils. Walking across the paddock area, and feeling the years of history whisper gently in my ear. I knew that I could only be in one place – in beautiful Lexington, at historic Keeneland. If […]
Hansen, who has been training in South Florida since late last year, will attempt to become only the second Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion to capture the Run for the Roses. Street Sense, the 2006 BC Juvenile champ that won the ’07 Kentucky Derby, began his sophomore season with a victory in the Hutcheson Stakes at […]
Last weekend was huge racing for the 3-year-old division with the best of the crop showing up for the Jim Dandy and Haskell Invitational. The interesting part, at least to this observer, was how one of those races contained one of the most exciting performances of the season by a 3-year-old and how the other […]
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 […]