News

The Saturday Special – March 16

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

Cheltenham Day 4

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

Cheltenham Day 3

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

Cheltenham Day 2

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

Cheltenham Day 1

Well, hello old friend. It’s been far too long. Four years. Four long years. My first was 2002. Two years after I retired and one year after foot and mouth. I stayed in the Hunter’s Lodge, shared a two bunk-bred room with three others, the bathroom down the hall, galloped Pelagos each morning, heard about … Read more

The Saturday Special – March 9

Happy Saturday. We are back with another Saturday Special. Notice a trend? We’re loosening up, warming up, gearing up for spring, steeplechase season, The Belmont Special and of course, our flagship, The Saratoga Special. It’s racing season. And writing season. Sean ventures to Cheltenham for the first time since 2020. Check out his daily reports … Read more

The Saturday Special – March 2

Is this three in a row? We are on a roll. Here’s your Saturday Special.The Coolmore Fountain of Youth anchors a nine-stakes festival at Gulfstream Park. The Busher, Stymie, Tom Fool and Gotham shine at Aqueduct. Turfway Park offers the John Battaglia Memorial. Before you dive into the European races, check the inspections. With threats … Read more

Work for The Saratoga Special

The process to assemble the 2024 editorial team for The Saratoga Special – which could also include working on the team covering the historic Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course – is underway. Applications are being accepted for our usual writing intern positions and for the first time in 2024, a photography/multimedia intern. Summer positions … Read more

The Special ready for the Belmont

A history-making event comes to upstate New York later this year with the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and The Saratoga Special will be there. ST Publishing will roll out The Belmont Special, a four-day newspaper during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival June 6-9 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Readers can … Read more

The Saturday Special – Feb. 24

Two weeks in a row. We’re making progress. The Saturday Special is back. The Saudi Cup leads the international buffet (root for Jimmy Jerkens with runners in three races) while Oaklawn Park offers the Rebel for 3-year-olds and three additional stakes. By the Numbers4998: Career wins for jockey Scott Spieth. Based at Tampa Bay Downs, … Read more