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 […]
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 […]
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: […]
This is one tough Kentucky Derby to figure out, sort of like 2009. And there’s a good chance of rain on Saturday for the 137th edition. Remember over the past three decades only four favorites have won — all in the 21st Century. Big Brown was the last in ’08; Street Sense,’07; Smarty Jones, ’04; […]
After the Toyota Bluegrass and the Arkansas Derby, I have come out with a few thoughts. With all due respect; you can keep Santiva, Brilliant Speed, Uncle Mo, Elite Alex, Anthony’s Cross, Silver Medallion, Sway Away, The Factor, Comma to the Top, and Pants on Fire. Some won’t have enough earnings, and this is the […]
Do you remember when Keeneland had that fast, speed favoring, dirt course? If you got on the lead, the race was for place. But, with poly track being installed, many trainers look elsewhere to prep to get ready for the dirt. This is no dig in any way against Keeneland. It is the preferred method […]
The Arkansas Derby could be called the Rebel Stakes II with six runners from the runner-up through the seventh-place finisher seeking a reversal of fortune against the winner — The Factor. The son of War Front is indeed the main factor in the $1 million Grade 1 on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, where on March […]
For the fans of Uncle Mo, please do not make any reservations for the Golden Gate Bridge just yet. For the many loyal fans, don’t sell your stock just yet. Sometimes in racing, just like the song says, “you can’t always get you want; you get what you need.” I admit, I lost my pick-4 tickets. I […]
The 3-year-olds are coming to a track near you. Many of the top contenders on the Road to the Roses are training in South Florida. The East Coast contingent is headed by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ Uncle Mo, the 2-year-old male Eclipse Award winner that arrived last month at the Palm Meadows Training Center in […]
