Congratulations to jockey James Graham for winning his 3,000th career race this weekend. The Irish native guided Vortex to win at Fair Grounds Sunday. “It’s quite emotional actually. I came here in 2002 and all I ever wanted was a shot,” Graham said. “I wish my mum was still alive to see this. Thank you … Read more
Cody Dorman woke up at 2:32 a.m. Saturday and asked for the tablet he uses to communicate. He had something to say to his parents, Kelly and Leslie. “He said ‘Thank you for taking me out here,’ ” Kelly Dorman said, standing outside the paddock at Santa Anita Park about an hour before the horse … Read more
The stars came out, and delivered, during Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships card at Santa Anita Park. White Abarrio won the Classic, probably locking up Horse of the Year honors. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode three winners, picking up his fifth Bill Shoemaker Award for the weekend’s leading rider and likely solidifying his fifth Eclipse Award. … Read more
The weather certainly felt like Southern California for early November, but the flavor of the day trended East Coast and European as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships kicked off with Future Stars Friday at Santa Anita Park. New York-based runners swept the main track Breeders Cup races – Just F Y I in the Juvenile … Read more
The main event, Championship Saturday caps a turbulent North American racing season with nine marquee Breeders’ Cup events on tap at Santa Anita Park. Several divisions, including Horse of the Year, hang in the balance before a Breeders’ Cup marked with plenty of defections and withdrawals. Strong fields remain, with Cody’s Wish, White Abarrio, Goodnight … Read more
Where were you last week? While you were busy running a half-marathon, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, packing your bags for the Breeders’ Cup or sorting out a ride to basketball practice, Snap Decision was reminding everyone who he was. America’s top steeplechase horse over the last four – maybe five – seasons got back … Read more
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships kicks into gear with Future Stars Friday at Santa Anita Park, kicking off the two-day extravaganza on the West Coast. Five stakes are on tap, including the marquee Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Three other Breeders’ Cup turf stakes compliment the day, which begins at 11:30 a.m. … Read more
Back on the horse. Back on the road. Back on the keyboard. A week after the biggest race meet on the steeplechase circuit, horses and people turn their attention to another major stop – Saturday’s International Gold Cup meeting at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. It’s the companion to the spring Virginia Gold Cup … Read more
American steeplechase fans get their moment in the sun – well, maybe rain; let’s hope not rain – at Saturday’s Far Hills Races in Far Hills, N.J. Held for the 102nd time, the races occupy a unique spot in local culture as THE can’t-miss fall event while at the same time standing atop the National … Read more
How was your fall break? American jump racing took a week off last week, we saw some jockeys in line for pit beef sandwiches at Timonium, but gets back on the proverbial horse in two locales Saturday. Stately Glenwood Park hosts the Virginia Fall Races for an eight-race card of hurdle, timber and flat races … Read more
Where did summer go? The autumn steeplechase season is back and we’re back with picks and previews from Shawan Downs Saturday and Foxfield Sunday. If you were keeping score this spring, Joe got the case of New England IPA. Slate’s clean for the fall. Play ball. The Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs. Hunt Valley, Md. … Read more
