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Living the Derby dream

Only a few days remained in the 2016 Saratoga Race Course meeting as word filtered its way through the barn area that a sizable group of horses was being transferred from one trainer to another. Such a situation is not that uncommon these days in racing – with owners watching win percentages and seeming to gravitate only to a handful of trainers with large racing operations.

Shapazian’s Belmont picks – May 7

Kentucky Derby Day in the books and it’s time to turn the page, not to Baltimore and the Preakess Stakes just yet. Up first is a nine-race card at Belmont Park and The Saratoga Special’s John Shapazian offers his full analysis and selections right here. Race 1COURTMEWITHCARATS drops to a new low for Danny Gargan.  … Read more

Home cooking marks Oaks undercard

When the weather gets bad, the locals are a sure bet. At least, they were on a windy, wet and chilly Kentucky Oaks Friday under the twin spires at Churchill Downs.

Big money team

An hour removed from hitting the sales grounds for some last looks before the second session of the 2015 Saratoga yearling sale, Michael Wallace sat down in the lobby of a hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs and talked about the goals for a largely unknown racing operation based thousands of miles away.

2017 Kentucky Derby Day picks

The big day is finally here and the Kentucky Derby, arguably the world’s most famous and sought-after horse race, will be run for the 143rd consecutive year Saturday at Churchill Downs.

2017 Kentucky Oaks Day picks

Friday’s card at Churchill Downs – almost assuredly of being run in cold, wet and raw conditions if you believe every weather forecaster in the Commonwealth – kicks off a monster two-day stretch with the headlining $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks taking center stage.

‘If they beat us, they beat us’

Norm Casse stood at the back of the Aristides Lounge at Churchill Downs, flanked by a small group of reporters and watched as the posts were randomly picked for the participants in Saturday’s 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby.

Field set for Kentucky Derby 143

A full field of 20 3-year-olds plus a pair of colts on the also-eligible list were entered and assigned starting spots Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby.