The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) announced this week that Larry Jones, trainer of the brilliant three-year-old fillies Proud Spell and Eight Belles, has been chosen as the 2008 winner of the organization’s Big Sport of Turfdom award. The award, voted on by TPA members, is presented annually to a person or group of people, […]

The weekend is the time when most players are focused on playing the races. It makes sense. The best races are run because the crowds are off of work for the most part, and more people can make the trek to the track. Here are a couple of reasons to dial up WinningPonies.com and make […]

Austin Miller admits he knew little about racing when he arrived at the Fair Grounds last year. Having spent 15 years in casino management positions, including two years as vice president of gaming operations at Harrah’s New Orleans, Miller joined the Fair Grounds management team in June 2007 as vice president/general manager of slots and […]

Are we aiming at the wrong demo? Have we forgotten who brought us to the dance? Is this how you reward those who have been your backbone for decades? You decide…. For years, the demographic of 25-54 years of age has allowed many tracks to keep their doors open. I have been reading and hearing […]

Three autumns ago, Julien Leparoux rode at Churchill Downs for the first time. He had one win from just 10 mounts during the meet, and fellow apprentice jockeys Randall Toups, Dane Kobiskie and Jordan Charkoudian each won more races. Many people mispronounced Leparoux’s name, and even if the shy young man wanted to correct them, […]

In six of eight years we have horses that won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, and didn’t win the Belmont. The Triple Crown has had world class sponsors such as Visa. They jumped into the game for a 10-year run. There is nothing like the excitement of racing to get your blood […]

Churchill Downs announced Friday that it will cut overnight purses by 10 percent for the rest of its Fall Meet, and reduce purses for two of the meet’s major stakes races. In making the announcement, the track cited “soft business levels stemming from the nation’s economic slowdown and the unresolved negotiations with horsemen over distribution […]

Being etched into racing history is a mark that transcends value of the races won. Peppers Pride did not face the likes of Triple Crown runners, but did it against the level of competition in her conditions. But, the end may be near. So be sure to follow her final preparations in what could the […]

The Class. Horses can seem to sort themselves into competitive levels. A horse’s class is difficult to define, but it is unmistakable at the racetrack. The Pace. Horses on the front will most always tire out and this will help the runners that are closing ground. Heard of the saying “Pace makes the race”? A […]

The H.O.T.Y debate is starting to pick up heat. I watched the careers of both Zenyatta and Curlin. In the past, anytime a female was H.O.T.Y, they defeated the boys. They stepped out of condition, and took their game to the next level. She also only ran one race off of synthetic. Don’t get me […]