The big one stands on its own
Two things stand out from this year’s three-week gap between the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Well, a lot of things stand out, but two are a little higher on the noticeable scale and both get me a little riled up.
Tom Law
Biggest field for Belmont Stakes since 1996
A second starting gate won’t be needed for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, but the one that will be set up in front of the stands will be almost as crowded as it’s ever been for the final jewel of the 2013 Triple Crown.
Santulli hopes for more classic success
Richard Santulli loves everything about the Thoroughbred industry and it comes out in a lot of ways.
Mettee kicks off new gig with stakes victory
Rick Mettee is the first to admit he didn’t put the pieces together when he got what was to him an early-morning telephone call from Barry Irwin back in early April.
Hot day, cool treat
Sometimes the childhood memories come in drips. Other times they come in waves. Driving back from the Saratoga County DMV Friday afternoon here in Saratoga they came in a swell.
Déjà vu all over again?
The Triple Crown drought was extended to 36 years two weeks ago in the Preakness Stakes, but an even longer classics streak could fall in a little more than a week’s time when the Belmont Stakes is run for the 145th time at Belmont Park.
Vermont Strong
Spending Memorial Day weekend in the beautiful, albeit quite water-logged, city of Burlington, Vermont, gave me a little insight into what horsemen competing in the Kentucky Derby this year probably felt like.
Zito looks ahead with Declan’s Warrior
Everything is wet around Saratoga Springs this week. What feels like days and days of rain-whether it’s the almost daily late afternoon or evening thunderstorms cutting through the rare spring humidity, the light and misty kind that often comes midday, or the steady showers that fill the gaps-keep the ground saturated and everything damp.
Last Gunfighter keeps it in the family
One glance at the pedigree of Pimlico Special Handicap winner Last Gunfighter tells a tale of what breeders around the globe hope for when they send mares off to the breeding shed each year full of hopes, dreams, goals and pride.
Tiger and The King
Preakness-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas and golfing legend Tiger Woods seem to share little in common, superficially or deep down, aside maybe from both making their living outside in the elements.
