Here we go. Into the final countdown we go with phrases like “penultimate work” and “just what we wanted” thrown about as Kentucky Derby contenders go through their final paces at home or at Churchill Downs. We’re two weeks out from Kentucky Derby 150 and all eyes on Louisville. The Special rolls along, too, prepping … Read more
Now we’re getting serious. Just four weeks until the 150th Kentucky Derby and with three key preps on the slate this weekend the makeup of the field figures to take shape. The Saturday Special previews those preps – from New York, Kentucky and California – recaps last weekend and offers some handicapping advice for those … Read more
Old Dominion. It’s a university, a beer, a trucking company, a music academy, a Nashville-based band. And, Saturday, a race meet. Technically a nickname for Virginia, since it was the first (and oldest) overseas dominion of the kings and queens of England, the title ends up on the racing because it’s organized by the Old … Read more
Now this is a Saturday. Huge races all over the U.S. and overseas in Dubai, the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 – don’t miss Caitlin Clark – and the start of Major League Baseball. Truly the best time of the year. The racing won’t be lost in the shuffle and we’re ready for another big … Read more
Last weekend, the National Steeplechase Association season eased into gear with the Aiken Steeplechase in South Carolina. One meet, six races, green light, let’s go. Seven days later, somebody hit the nitrous as three stops – Saturday’s headlining Carolina Cup in South Carolina and Blue Ridge in Virginia, plus Cheshire in Pennsylvania – rev up the action. … Read more
Rolling right along into the heart of March and the start of spring, we’re back with another installment of The Saturday Special. Stakes announced at Saratoga Race Course for 2024 and steeplechasing gets underway in Aiken, more signs of the season, plus plenty of Kentucky Derby preps on tap. Lots to keep you busy, especially … Read more
You ready for steeplechasing? The forecast in Saratoga, if you’re in Saratoga, calls for a blizzard this weekend, but the 2024 National Steeplechase Association schedule kicks off Saturday in Aiken, S.C., with the traditional opener. Run for the 57th time, the meet dates to 1930 when Thomas Hitchcock, Temple Gwathmey and Harry Worcester Smith organized … Read more
We’re rolling along with another edition of The Special this week, with all eyes on Las Vegas for the National Horseplayers Championship and the NTRA/NHC Charity Challenge presented by NTRA Charities. More on each of those below, plus we recap some big doings in the jockey world and look ahead of Big Red’s birthday celebration. … Read more
And there was one. Final day of the Festival. The British leapt off the canvas Thursday with five wins. Grey Dawning stalked Ginny’s Destiny, jumped sweetly and drew off to win the opener for Dan and Harry Skelton. Monmiral put Skelton’s former boss, Paul Nicholls, on the board in the Pertemps. Protektorat loved a slight … Read more
And that’s why they run the races. Willie Mullins winning three more Wednesday, including his 100th when his son, Patrick, guided Jasmin De Vaux to win the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. But he didn’t win them all. El Fabiolo, bowing out after slithering on his belly at the fifth in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. … Read more
One in the books. Davy Russell ducked under the rail to get closer for a selfie with a fan. They roared. And asked for three more. Phones came out like lighters at a concert. Out of the saddle a year, still a star. Paul Townend after a surgeon’s ride on Gaelic Warrior pumped his fist … Read more
