Saturday’s Special picks – June 6
Racing returned to New York this week and just like he always does, John Shapazian went to work.
Tom Law
Better Late
Racing Wednesday, training Thursday. Such is the way of the world these days in New York, which continues to trudge through the gradual reopening of the state in the midst of the worldwide health crisis that at times seems forgotten while protests over racial injustice and police brutality rage around the globe.
Smash Hit: Remembering Arrogate
Juddmonte Farm’s Arrogate, who died Tuesday at the age of 7 Tuesday from an unknown illness, burst on the scene with a dominating performance in the 2016 Travers Stakes that still resonates to anyone blessed to witness the 13 1/2-length victory and track-record setting effort.
The Monday Special – June 1
Fighting Mad helped Bob Baffert’s barn move away from a bad week Sunday when she won the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes just days after leading classics contender Nadal suffered a potentially career-ending injury.
The Saturday Special – May 30
Tracks continue to be added to the roster here in the U.S. while the gradual reopening of the country rolls along. The weekly primer for the final Saturday in May features racing from seven tracks, an increase from last week thanks to the addition of Laurel Park.
Saturday’s Special picks – May 30
The Saratoga Special’s handicappers are back online after going digital last week for Issue 2 of The 2020 Special. Ok, so maybe that’s the same thing. Regardless, they scoped out three loaded cards – Churchill Downs, Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park – while readying for the return of racing next week in New York at Belmont Park.
Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour with Ron Moquett
Never doubt Ron Moquett’s ability to be the most hands-on horseman possible. (Editor’s note: Originally published in May 2 edition of The 2020 Special)
Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour with Mark Casse
Mark Casse can handle the complexities of running his training operation out of multiple divisions. He’s done it for years, successfully enough to rank in the top seven in North America by earnings since 2011 and ninth by career earnings approaching the second half of 2020. (Originally published in May 23 edition of The 2020 Special)
DNF
Everything – except horse racing, thankfully and a shout out to our advertisers and readers – remains on hold.
The Monday Special – May 26
The world may be in confusing times right now but Monday everything ran as usual for Chad Brown when he tallied a 1-3 finish in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on the turf at Santa Anita Park.
