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Here we go. Into the final countdown we go with phrases like “penultimate work” and “just what we wanted” thrown about as Kentucky Derby contenders go through their final paces at home or at Churchill Downs. We’re two weeks out from Kentucky Derby 150 and all eyes on Louisville. The Special rolls along, too, prepping … Read more

The big boys come out to play Saturday with the $75,000 Temple Gwathmey highlighting a nine-race card at Middleburg Spring over the historic Glenwood Park course in Virginia and Maryland timber toppers going out again at the Grand National in Butler. Both meets are live-streamed on the NSA website. Last week at Tryon, Go Poke … Read more

Approaching the midpoint of April and just three weeks remaining until the historic 150th renewal of the Kentucky Derby. The Saturday Special covers the final “prep” for the Derby and we dig into the Grand National card from Aintree. A little of that, and plenty more for this week’s edition. Enjoy. Names of the DayAir … Read more

Let’s get this out of the way first. The TIHR handicapping team struck out last week at Old Dominion. Three NSA races, three punters, three goose eggs. Good thing there are more races this weekend. Two Saturday stops, My Lady’s Manor in Maryland and Tryon Block House in North Carolina, offer five races apiece. The … Read more

Now we’re getting serious. Just four weeks until the 150th Kentucky Derby and with three key preps on the slate this weekend the makeup of the field figures to take shape. The Saturday Special previews those preps – from New York, Kentucky and California – recaps last weekend and offers some handicapping advice for those … Read more

Old Dominion. It’s a university, a beer, a trucking company, a music academy, a Nashville-based band. And, Saturday, a race meet. Technically a nickname for Virginia, since it was the first (and oldest) overseas dominion of the kings and queens of England, the title ends up on the racing because it’s organized by the Old … Read more

Now this is a Saturday. Huge races all over the U.S. and overseas in Dubai, the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 – don’t miss Caitlin Clark – and the start of Major League Baseball. Truly the best time of the year. The racing won’t be lost in the shuffle and we’re ready for another big … Read more

Last weekend, the National Steeplechase Association season eased into gear with the Aiken Steeplechase in South Carolina. One meet, six races, green light, let’s go. Seven days later, somebody hit the nitrous as three stops – Saturday’s headlining Carolina Cup in South Carolina and Blue Ridge in Virginia, plus Cheshire in Pennsylvania – rev up the action. … Read more

Rolling right along into the heart of March and the start of spring, we’re back with another installment of The Saturday Special. Stakes announced at Saratoga Race Course for 2024 and steeplechasing gets underway in Aiken, more signs of the season, plus plenty of Kentucky Derby preps on tap. Lots to keep you busy, especially … Read more

You ready for steeplechasing? The forecast in Saratoga, if you’re in Saratoga, calls for a blizzard this weekend, but the 2024 National Steeplechase Association schedule kicks off Saturday in Aiken, S.C., with the traditional opener. Run for the 57th time, the meet dates to 1930 when Thomas Hitchcock, Temple Gwathmey and Harry Worcester Smith organized … Read more