Big Bookend: Mott stars steal the Saturday show

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

Breeders’ Cup Friday: Just F Y I, Fierceness lead the way with upsets

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

Breeders’ Cup Saturday preview & picks

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

Breeders’ Cup Friday preview & picks

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

Saudi Crown, Ceiling Crusher shine on sloppy day at Parx

The Bensalem skies were gray, and the cold winds blew late Saturday afternoon at Parx Racing. An all-day rain had given way to a misty air over the track, threatening to put a pall over the biggest day of racing on the Pennsylvania calendar. However, inside the paddock, it was all sunshine and rainbows when … Read more

‘Lady Announcer’ Paquette ready for historic calls

Jessica Paquette has weathered plenty in her almost year on the job at Parx Racing. She’s handled the ups and downs, learning the craft as the track announcer at the suburban Philadelphia racetrack that Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby and strong supporting card. Now she’s ready for another type of weather when … Read more

Here & There – Saratoga Postscript

Here and gone in the blink of an eye. While it’s not a totally accurate statement summarizing the last few months that included a turbulent and trying Saratoga Race Course meeting, looking back now almost two weeks removed from Closing Day it did seem to go by in a flash. The Saratoga Special office on … Read more