Winners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness will battle Saturday in the 143rd Belmont Stakes for the first time in six years. In 2005 Preakness champ Afleet Alex triumphed while Derby upsetter Giacomo finished seventh. Animal Kingdom, the 2 ¾-length winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby under jockey John Velazquez, is attempting to become the […]
On March, 26th at Turfway Park. I caught the first glimpse of a horse with moves. I have seen many runners who were great, but only some have had that burst. The extra special thing you can’t train. Flat out… Animal Kingdom has some special mojo. That was his coming out party, and ever since […]
As you read, I am watching Andy Serling, of the NYRA, as he interviews some of the big connections for the Belmont Stakes. The questions were to the point, and very informative. This takes me back to the old Derby draw, and giving fans what they wanted to know. This makes me think: In the […]
Naaa… No illegal game, or a cards up your sleeve. I am just starting to put together a possible scenario for the Belmont, and how it will shake out from the gate. The real drawing begins on Wednesday, and we can start planning now as there is value to be had and a $1 million […]
In hindsight, I could have done so many things that would have been great. It would be impossible to count the billions of them! – The newest is that I have had more friends, pals, and long time customers tell me that they had Shackleford on the nose. Roughly speaking, if one-quarter of these folks […]
This is the third time during the past two decades that the Preakness has a full field – 14 horses going 1 3/16 miles at Pimlico on Saturday. Both times the favorites in the second leg of the Triple Crown bounced back from defeats in the Kentucky Derby. Back in 1992, Pine Bluff, who finished […]
This Saturday, Pimlico holds the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Baltimore offers a chance for runners who skipped Louisville two weeks ago. They come into the 1 3/16ths race fresh, and on a solid work program to ready. But, as good as this sounds, it may be a better plan to select the colts that have competed […]
Horses exiting the Kentucky Derby have a leg up in the Preakness. A remarkable 23 of the past 26 Derby runners captured the second leg of the Triple Crown. The exceptions came during the 21st Century: Rachel Alexandra, ’09; Bernardini, ’06; and Red Bullet, ’00. Four Derby champs the past decade were successful at Pimlico: […]
I have been a fan of racing for a few moons now… Well, maybe a little longer than that. I have known many riders over the years, and the highs and lows they have faced. Like every athlete, they could be playing for a championship team this season, and traded the next. Sadly, when they […]
I attended the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. The weather was overcast with spots of sunshine, and there were 13 races carded on this wonderful day. I had plenty of time to think on the drive to and from, and came up with my own list of ABC’s about the day. A- Animal Kingdom […]
