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Why the Travers was a race American Pharoah didn't have to lose
American Pharoah's upset loss in Saturday's Travers (G1) has, as you would expect, resulted in a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking among fans and pundits, but primarily from the connections of the horse themselves.
We can all go over numerous f ...
Racing
American Pharoah to parade between Del Mar races Sunday
Del Mar has announced that Triple Crown champion American Pharoah will parade before his throngs of fans at Del Mar Sunday. Although the specific time of his appearance is to be determined, officials are looking at a period between races early in the ...
Racing
Five Takeaways from Travers Stakes
1) Courageous Performance : American Pharoah didn’t run his best race in Saturday’s Travers (G1) but the Triple Crown winner performed bravely nonetheless, putting away a determined Frosted before succumbing to Keen Ice ...
Racing
Post-Travers videos with Keen Ice/American Pharoah connections
Post-Travers interviews from NYRA's Richard Migliore with Keen Ice's connections (Jerry Crawford, Dale Romans and Javier Castellano) as well as American Pharoah's jockey Victor Espinoza. Below those, post-race press conference video with the connecti ...
Racing
Stellar Wind blows away Torrey Pines rivals
Stellar Wind was sent off the 1-2 favorite in Sunday’s $100,250 Torrey Pines S. (G3) at Del Mar and the John Sadler pupil ran like with an easy 4 1/4-length romp under jockey Victor Espinoza.
The chestnut filly was a top contender on this year’s ...
Racing
Baffert: No decision on American Pharoah yet as the champ needs to 'chill for a little bit'
After American Pharoah was upset in Saturday's Travers (G1) by Keen Ice -- a rival he'd roundly beaten in all of their prior meetings -- owner/breeder Ahmed Zayat let his emotions speak for him and suggested that his Triple Crown champion might be re ...
Racing
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McLaughlin on Frosted's unplanned change of tactics: 'unfortunate for us and maybe for American Pharoah too'
In the aftermath of Saturday's Travers (G1), it's an interesting counterfactual to wonder about the effect of the last-minute rider change for Frosted, who tired to third after unexpectedly pressing American Pharoah early.
His regular rider, Joel ...
Racing
Private Zone considering Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in addition to TwinSpires Sprint
Trainer Jorge Navarro reported Sunday that Private Zone, who secured a berth in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) with a front-running coup in Saturday's Forego (G1), would also take a close look at the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
"The wa ...
Racing
Keen Ice “tired” but well after Travers upset
Trainer Dale Romans was dealing with some technical issues on Sunday, one day after pupil Keen Ice ran down Triple Crown champion American Pharoah in Saturday’s Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga.
“I had so many calls my phone froze up and I haven't been ...
Racing
Record-setter Runhappy sets sights on Phoenix, Twinspires BC Sprint
Trainer Maria Borell did something on Saturday that few have accomplished.
She saddled her first graded winner to a stakes-record time in her first start at Saratoga.
That of course came compliments of 11-1 longshot Runhappy, who wired the King ...
Racing
Upsets were the rule in Saturday's major stakes
Keen Ice notched his first win in seven starts this year and subsequently handed American Pharoah his first setback in seven outings this year and his first since his career debut last summer at Del Mar. Keen Ice had been seventh in the Derby and th ...
Racing
Could BC Turf Sprint be on the horizon after Lady Shipman sails to course record?
Lady Shipman furloughed her typical front-running style in Sunday’s $100,000 Smart N Fancy S. at Saratoga for a stalking spot, but that didn’t stop the talented miss from blazing to a new course record in the 5 1/2-furlong affair.
Coincidentally ...
Racing
SOUTHLAND Preview and recap - Sunday, August 30
Welcome to a Sunday afternoon of exciting greyhound racing at Southland as there are 18 entertaining races on tap for our viewing and wagering pleasure. MoneyMaker Mike's picks for this past week have been greyhounds that finished in last place l ...
Racing
Favorites Maul Mohawk; Hit With Habitat While Hot To Trot
The Breeders Crown Countdown (BCC) blog had a single winner. It came in a division of the Casual Breeze at Mohawk on Friday, Aug. 28. Elegant Severity ($4.90, $3.20, $2.60) teamed with Lilu Hanover ($4.10, $3.20) for a $37.30 exacta. In the other div ...
Racing
Keen Ice catches American Pharoah in Travers stunner
Keen Ice left a massive Saratogs crowd stunned with his late-running theatrics in Saturday’s $1.6 million Travers Stakes , overhauling Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in deep stretch to post a 16-1 upset.
With only a maiden victory to his cr ...
Racing
Tonight is about Keen Ice
by Laura Pugh
The beginning of the Travers was all about American Pharoah, but it ended up being all about Keen Ice…..or at least it should have.
Keen Ice, late maturing son of Curlin, finally put everything together in tonight’s Travers Stake ...
Racing
Post-race interview w/ Travers winner Keen Ice's jockey Javier Castellano
Post-race interview with Travers winning jockey Javier Castellano
KEEN ICE
JAVIER CASTELLANO
THE MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, we're pleased now to be joined by Travers winning jockey Javier Castellano. It was ...
Racing
Post-race interview w/ Travers winner Keen Ice's trainer Dale Romans
TRAVERS (G1) WINNING TRAINER QUOTES
Dale Romans, winning trainer of Keen Ice (No. 7)
"The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. The race set up good for him, but we didn't lag. We weren't worried about running second. We put him in t ...
Racing
Post-race interview w/ Travers winner Keen Ice's owner Jerry Crawford
Post-race interview with Travers winner Keen Ice's owner
Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing:
KEEN ICE
JERRY CRAWFORD
THE MODERATOR: Now we're joined by Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing, the Trave ...
Racing
Post-race interview w/ American Pharoah's connections
Post-race interview with the connections of
AMERICAN PHAROAH
AHMED ZAYAT
BOB BAFFERT
VICTOR ESPINOZA
JUSTIN ZAYAT
THE MODERATOR : I really appreciate the connections of American Pharaoh joining us. ...
Racing
Dacita makes winning U.S. debut in Ballston Spa: the next turf star for Chad Brown?
Saturday's $400,000 Ballston Spa (G2) at Saratoga wasn't one of the days four "Win and You're In" races for the Breeders' Cup, but it could end up having a bearing on the Filly & Mare Turf (G1) picture. Chilean champion Dacita, anchored near th ...
Racing
Island Town cruises in Smarty Jones at Parx
Far from the hullabaloo of Saratoga, where American Pharoah suffered his first loss of the season in Saturday's Travers (G1), the three-year-old Island Town put himself squarely in the forefront of contenders for next month's $1 million Pennsylvania ...
Racing
Flintshire crushes them in the Sword Dancer, but will he come back for the Breeders' Cup Turf?
Juddmonte Farms' homebred Flintshire ran right up to his powerhouse international formlines when demolishing the field in Saturday's $1 million Sword Dancer (G1) , a "Win & You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).
Although the Andre Fabre ...
Racing
Travers (aka American Pharoah) News & Notes
Want all your Travers Day news and analysis in one place? Well, you've come to the right blog!
Check out the Twinspires.com team's Travers articles as well freebies, like complimentary PPs from Brisnet.com , contests and videos!
FREE Travers ...
Racing
American Pharoah photo montage
With American Pharoah competing in Saturday's Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga, we thought our readers would relish a photoblog of the Triple Crown champion before, during and after the event. Enjoy!
FRIDAY
All lined up and waiting for the champ ...
Racing
Private Zone runs away from Forego rivals
Private Zone made short work of his rivals in Saturday's $700,000 Forego (G1) at Saratoga, taking an uncontested lead and running them off their feet in the seven-furlong, "Win and You're In" prep for the TwinSpires.com Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). ...
Racing
Will Runhappy's rags to riches story continue to the Breeders' Cup?
by Laura Pugh
Super Saver has proved himself quite a good sire, good enough to have a couple of sons in today’s Kings Bishop Stakes. Competitive Edge was supposed to rebound in the Kings Bishop. He was turning back in distance after a good effort ...
Racing
Runhappy lives up to name while setting new King’s Bishop record
Runhappy had dominated in three of his four lifetime starts prior to the King’s Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, but because his last two races came at Ellis Park and Indiana Grand the bay colt was overlooked at 11-1 on Travers Day.
That ...
Racing
Unbridled Forever prevails in Ballerina
Unbridled Forever rallied from last in Saturday’s $500,000 Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga to take the seven-furlong contest by a length under jockey John Velazquez.
An early contender for the 2014 Kentucky Oaks (G1), Unbridled Forever tailed off ...
Racing
Sheer Drama guts out Personal Ensign victory
Sheer Drama entered Saturday’s Personal Ensign S. (G1) off a nice two-length score in the Delaware H. (G1) and proceeded to make it two Grade 1 wins in a row with a gusty victory in the Saratoga contest.
Regular jockey Joe Bravo allowed Sheer Dr ...
Racing
How Ed DeRosa is betting the Travers Stakes (aka is anyone betting against American Pharoah?)
The most incredible thing to me about the build up of Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah running in the Travers Stakes is not the hoopla surrounding Pharoahtoga—the mainstream media coverage, the 15,000 to watch a workout, Joe Drape actually writ ...
Racing
Signals Indicate Untapable Could Return to Brilliance in Personal Ensign
Untapable, last year’s Eclipse Champion 3 year old filly, has had tough time duplicating her 2014 form during this season. After such a dominating year that saw her win four grade ones, including the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Kentucky Oaks, hopes wer ...
Racing
American Pharoah's Historical Campaign Creates Personal Memories
by LAURA PUGH
After weeks of waiting, listening with our ears wide open, sitting on the edge of our seats, the hope has now officially become a reality as today is Travers Day when American Pharoah will march to post!
Nobody needs to tell me h ...
Racing
Travers day ABC grid: How to navigate the 13-race card plus selected Spot Plays
Travers day is finally here, and before we get to Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah in the Travers Stakes itself at 5:46 p.m. EDT at Saratoga Race Course, we have ten races before to make some money and two races after to get it back if we don't ...
Racing
Five Plays on the Travers Undercard
Saratoga carded 12 races, including six graded stakes, around the 146 th running of the $1.6 million Travers Stakes featuring American Pharoah.
Here are some of my thoughts on the undercard:
Race 2 : Steve Asmussen is typically much better th ...
Racing
Travers could be race against the clock for American Pharoah
As the controlling speed in Saturday’s $1.6 million Travers Stakes, American Pharoah looks ready to deliver his next salvo in front of a packed house at Saratoga Racetrack.
The superstar colt wins nearly every race in brilliant fashion, recording ...
Racing
Just How Powerful is American Pharoah's 14-point Prime Power Advantage?
Just how gaudy is American Pharoah’s 14.4-point PRIME POWER advantage in the Travers Stakes in terms of his actual chances of winning the race?
In 74 fast dirt route graded stakes since 2006 at Saratoga, there have been 7 horses with a PRIME POWER ...
Racing
August's 5 & Upcoming Young Greyhounds To Watch
Welcome to another Southland recap of the Five Up & Coming Young Greyhounds To Watch at Southland . These 5 greyhounds were my picks for August that I made in July and listed below are how they have done since being selected as a greyhound t ...
Racing
Notes on Flintshire and fellow internationals on Travers Day
Saturday update : in a possibly good omen for New Providence (detailed below), stablemate Hawksmoor uncorked a strong, sustained rally to nail the front-running favorite Fireglow in the Prestige (G3) at Goodwood earlier in the day.
***
The grad ...
Racing
Hall of Fame trainer LeRoy Jolley: American Pharoah has stiff challenge in Travers
Trainer Dale Romans watched his Travers S. (G1) runner Keen Ice jog one mile and then gallop the same distance during the training period reserved for Travers competitors Friday morning.
At the same time, the conditioner was enjoying a conversatio ...
Racing
Upstart confirmed for Travers; Texas Red, Smart Transition gallop
Upstart photo courtesy of NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Susie Raisher
Trainer Richard Violette on Friday confirmed that multiple Grade 2 hero Upstart will run in Saturday’s Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga.
"He's doing great. We're going to run," Vio ...
Racing
Kiss My Hocks Primed for the All American Derby
Jockey G. R. Carter Celebrates Victory with Kiss My Hocks On Sunday, September 6, a sensational field of 3-year-old Quarter Horses will enter the starting gate for the $2.3 million All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs . One finalist who me ...
Racing
Huge crowd on hand as American Pharoah has timed Friday morning gallop
Around 15,000 people were on hand Friday morning at Saratoga to watch Triple Crown champion American Pharaoh ready for Saturday’s Travers S. (G1) by galloping over the Spa’s main track.
The bay colt was led from the barn just after the 8:45 a.m. r ...
Racing
Predicteform Travers Preview: Who to bet and who should be 1,000-to-1
In-depth analysis of the 2015 Travers Stakes including Pace Figures and Past Performances each starter. Please refer to the Legend or Pattern Guide for back-up definitions and patterns.
The Grade I Travers Stakes from Saratoga Race Cour ...
Racing
All-graded stakes Pick 6 at Saratoga has several keys
By no means am I a Pick 6 kinda guy (Pick 3s and Pick 4s are tough enough). However, NYRA has been kind enough to lump six of their seven graded stakes on Saturday together to form the day's Pick 6 sequence, an enticement not usually found outside of ...
Racing
Who would you pick to run second in the Travers to American Pharoah?
American Pharoah is dominating the discussion ahead of Saturday’s Travers S. (G1), and it's tough to go against the Triple Crown champ. But if you're looking for a potential upsetter, or just hoping to round out the exacta, the TwinSpires team offers ...
Racing
BC Big Bet Battle Royale picks for Travers Day
One of the exciting contest & promotions at TwinSpires.com, the $15,000 Breeders’ Cup Big Bet Battle Royale is offering Players the opportunity to win a VIP Trip to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland and a $10,000 Win bet on the Breeders’ Cup Cla ...
Racing
LoPresti 'optimistic' about Wise Dan's comeback in Woodbine Mile
Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan remains on course for a comeback in the September 13 Woodbine Mile (G1), trainer Charles LoPresti reported to track publicity.
"Things are looking very positive. He's been working pretty steady if you follow his ...
Racing
Trainer Profile: J. Keith Desormeaux
Although training horses since 1988, the name J. Keith Desormeaux wasn't known to most horse racing fans until 2014 when Desormeaux won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile with Texas Red . Texas Red, who has the chance to beat Triple Crown Champion American ...
Racing
SOUTHLAND Preview - Friday evening, August 28
Welcome to another Friday evening card of exciting greyhound racing at Southland as there are 18 entertaining races on tap for our viewing and wagering pleasure. MoneyMaker Mike's picks for this card will be greyhounds that finished in last place ...
Racing
Texas Red maturing physically, mentally ahead of Travers
Texas Red was no match for the brilliance of American Pharoah when the pair met as juveniles in last September's FrontRunner (G1) at Santa Anita. But the son of Afleet Alex was lanky and unfurnished way back when.
Fast forward to the Travers (G1), ...
Racing
Violette still having 'internal battle' over whether to run Upstart in Travers
Trainer Rick Violette continues to do his Hamlet impression regarding Upstart's status for the Travers (G1). After expressing doubt last weekend about running his charge against American Pharoah, the horsemen entered Upstart, and is now playing the w ...
Racing
All eyes on Big Apple this weekend
This Saturday will mark one of those very rare weekends in which both thoroughbred and standardbred fans alike will have the chance to see some of the sport's best three-year-olds compete within hours of one another and within the boundaries of the s ...
Racing
McLaughlin takes contrarian view, thinks Travers pace scenario may not benefit American Pharoah
While many observers have explained that the lack of a really speedy pace rival plays into American Pharoah's hands, there is a contrarian voice out there: Kiaran McLaughlin, the trainer of Travers (G1) rival Frosted.
"My thought process is that i ...
Racing
Top 10 reasons why American Pharoah could lose the Travers
When pondering what circumstances would have to conspire to make Saratoga the "Graveyard of Champions" for American Pharoah, I was reduced to the most far-fetched fancies.
If you'll bear with those as a light-hearted preamble, there are three legi ...
Racing
American Pharoah continues to please in first tour of Saratoga
American Pharoah, who arrived at Saratoga Wednesday, turned in his first gallop at the Spa early Thursday morning and later schooled in the paddock. Throughout his activity, the Triple Crown champion continues to exude confidence ahead of Saturday's ...
Racing
ON POINT: American Pharoah & the Travers Stakes
August 27, 2015
Despite 1-to-5 odds on American Pharoah, neither Ed DeRosa nor James Scully are willing to pick against the Triple Crown champion in the Travers Stakes. Both seek value underneath by beating one of the other Grade 1 winners--eithe ...
Racing
Pharoah heads fantastic day; Beholder throws down gauntlet
By Dick Powell
The historic Travers Stakes (G1) will be run for the 146 th time on Saturday and despite the naysayers, me included, Triple Crown winner AMERICAN PHAROAH (Pioneerof the Nile) will be in the starting gate at 5:46 p.m. (ET). The rac ...
Racing
Questions to ask before betting for or against American Pharoah in the Travers Stakes
For some the Travers will be an exhibition. The Triple Crown champion is running in the most prestigious race for three-year-olds outside of that Triple Crown championship, and his race against the historical records of the 11 who came before him is ...
Racing
Elims Energize Entries, Including Pinkman, For Lucrative Finals; Stars Abound
The two-year-olds pacers are stampeding as the second part of the season presents frosh stakes. The focus is on eliminations for more big finals tests as September rolls around.
At Yonkers, the historic Yonkers Trot for glamour-boy trotters ha ...
Racing
SOUTHLAND Preview - Thursday, August 27
Welcome to another Thursday twilight card of exciting greyhound racing at Southland as there are 18 entertaining races on tap for our viewing and wagering pleasure. MoneyMaker Mike's picks for this card will be greyhounds that finished in last pl ...
Racing
Small, but talented, distaff fields make up Personal Ensign, Ballerina
The distaff set will have two opportunities to score big on Saturday’s blockbuster Travers Day program, with the $750,000 Personal Ensign S. (G1) sending a half dozen nine furlongs and eight entered in the $500,000 Ballerina S. (G1) at seven furl ...
Racing
Private Zone heads Forego; Holy Boss seeks fifth straight win in King’s Bishop
Leading sprinter Private Zone, a convincing winner of the Belmont Sprint (G3) and Churchill Downs S. (G2) in his last two attempts at seven furlongs, will take some beating in Saturday’s $700,000 Forego (G1) at Saratoga.
Trained by Jorge Navarro ...
Racing
Flintshire looks tough in Sword Dancer as does Tepin in Ballston Spa
Enticed by an enhanced purse of $1 million and the strong probability of firm ground, one of Europe's leading middle-distance runners, Flintshire , will headline Saturday's 1 1/2-mile Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga.
Hindered from starting Flints ...
Racing
Beholder stars; speed bias not as extreme as portrayed at Del Mar
DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
A quartet of graded races highlighted the signature weekend at Del Mar Race Course.
Pacific Classic (G1) : Spendthrift Farms’ BEHOLDER (Henny Hughes) glided to the front with ease nearing the turn for home and poured it on la ...
Racing
Saratoga main track playing fairly to all run types
SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
A grade 1 tilt for sophomore fillies headlined the racing at Saratoga Race Course.
Alabama S. (G1) : Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s EMBELLISH THE LACE (Super Saver) sped to the front soon after the break and never gave way en rou ...
Racing
Del Mar to host additional stakes during expanded fall meet
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Wednesday announced the stakes schedule for its second annual "Bing Crosby" fall meet, which runs 20 days from October 29 through November 29.
Because the meet is five days, or one week, longer than in 2014, Del Ma ...
Racing
Pharoah good enough under any circumstances but paceless Travers looks like a slam-dunk
When taking my first look at Saturday’s Travers (G1) field, the glaring lack of early speed immediately stands out. There are no confirmed front-runners entered outside of the Triple Crown winner.
Upstart could possibly show some zip from his insi ...
Racing
The Gift Horse
It’s hard to win consistently at the races. Although the guy hawking “guaranteed winners” on the Internet for just $9.99 would disagree, pari-mutuel markets are generally efficient, meaning that they reflect nearly all the pertinent data available fo ...
Racing
Quarter Horse Jockey Eduardo Nicasio
Eduardo Nicasio Winning All American Derby Trial with Apollitical Blood ...
Racing
Glamour-Boy Pacers At The Meadows, Girls At Mohawk
A dozen Breeders Crown (e) eligible soph-colt pacers are spread over three Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) divisions with others in their division at the Meadows on Friday, Aug. 28. The purses are $61,000-plus each.
The first split has seven ...
Racing
Record Breaking Watch & Puppy Stakes Preview
*Oaks Maddy* Race 15 Grade SA 545 Yards (Puppy Stakes 3 rd Rd) My pick to win it all #4 Oaks Maddy from Rader Racing showed her dominance in the 2 nd Rd, pounding her competition to the tune of a 29.54 secs victory. Should absolutely ...
Racing
Graveyard of Champions Will Not Deter Pharoah
By Laura Pugh
On Sunday morning, American Pharoah convinced trainer Bob Baffert of his readiness to make the cross-country trip to compete in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Since that time the question on everyone’s mind has been, will the Grave ...
Racing
Trotters dominate Wednesday card at Harrington
While many harness racing tracks often find it difficult to card more than a pair of races for trotters on any given night, Harrington Raceway in Delaware has taken an extra step for that gait on Wednesday as it offers nine consecutive races for trot ...
Racing
SOUTHLAND Preview - Wednesday, August 26
Welcome to another Wednesday twilight card of exciting greyhound racing at Southland as there are 18 entertaining races on tap for our viewing and wagering pleasure. MoneyMaker Mike's picks for this card will be greyhounds that finished in last p ...
Racing
American Pharoah receives post 2 in 10-horse Travers
Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, a smashing 2 ¼-length winner of the August 2 Haskell Invitational (G1) in his last start, received post 2 at Tuesday evening’s draw for Saturday’s $1.6 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
“The horse is ...
Racing
Wise Dan breezes five-furlong bullet
Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan continued preparations for his comeback in the September 13 Woodbine Mile (G1) on Tuesday morning, breezing five furlongs in a bullet :59 over the fast Keeneland track.
Unraced since his victory in the Shadwell ...
Racing
Parx Fall Festival kicks off with Smarty Jones
Following a two-week hiatus to enable a reconstruction of its paddock, Parx Racing will be back in action on Saturday when the Philadelphia-area track begins its newly-branded Fall Festival.
Daily purses at Parx are expected to average $500,000 th ...
Racing
Zayat Stables to Donate a Percentage of American Pharoah’s Earnings to New Vocations
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced Tuesday that Zayat Stables has committed to donating a percentage of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s purse earnings for the remainder of his racing career to support the program’s mission to r ...
Racing
The Golden Era of Racing
Fans of Thoroughbred Racing have been blessed this spring and summer with some sensational performers, events and accomplishments, more so than any time in my recent memory. The truly fantastic span of the past few months has me as excited about the ...
Racing
Demonstrative seeks third win in New York Turf Writers Cup
Reigning steeplechase champion Demonstrative didn't show his usual stretch punch earlier this month in the A.P. Smithwick Memorial (G1), but will look to rebound in his title defense of the $150,000 New York Turf Writers Cup (G1) at Saratoga on T ...
Racing
Top 5 2015 BC Classic Rankings
The Southern California Legend that is Richard Mandella proved why he continues to be one of the top thoroughbred conditioners in the world when Beholder dominated her rivals in the 2015 Pacific Classic by 8 1/4 lengths. It was the most impressive ...
Racing
A Bad Beat & Badly Beaten Elicit Different Responses in Horseplayers
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever read about gambling on horses (and gambling in general, I suppose) is “Same face win or lose,” and I try to hold myself to it, but the fifth race on Monday at Saratoga Race Course tested that resolve.
In ...
Racing
American Pharoah ready for Travers with his 'new Nikes' on
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reported that all systems are "go" for Triple Crown champion American Pharoah ahead of Saturday's Travers (G1).
"He looks great today," Baffert told NYRA publicity Monday, one day after American Pharoah's dynamic ...
Racing
Jess's Dream rallies from far back to give mama 'Rachel' a second winner
Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, continues to bat a thousand as a broodmare.
Three weeks after her two-year-old daughter Rachel's Valentina scored an impressive two-length win in her six-furlong debut at Saratoga, that one's three-yea ...
Racing
Lexie Lou's reappearance postponed
Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou will miss her intended comeback in Wednesday's 1ST race at Woodbine after sustaining an eye injury, trainer Mark Casse revealed.
"She was training well leading up to it," Casse said Monday, alluding ...
Racing
Remembering Katrina, Part II: Our 'Happy Ticket'
Continued from Remembering Katrina, Part I: "Shadow Cast" over Travers weekend .
August 28, 2005: Ballerina Day . Sunday morning, an American Airlines rep left a voicemail on my cell phone saying that they’d added a last flight out of Baton Rou ...
Racing
Remembering Katrina, Part I: 'Shadow Cast' over Travers weekend
“This flight has been canceled.”
So chirped the robotic humanoid voice on the Delta Airlines customer service line, sending my Travers weekend into a tailspin and propelling me into panic mode. Not because I was planning a trip to Saratoga, or loo ...
Racing
In Horse of the Year debate, American Pharoah shouldn't be too big to fail
In this space a couple of days after American Pharoah completed a Triple Crown sweep in the Belmont S. (G1), I acknowledged the reality that he was a lock for 2015 Horse of the Year honors . I also noted that such a coronation could be seen in the ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby has new ticket partner, redesigned website
Churchill Downs on Monday announced a partnership with Ticketmaster to make purchasing Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) tickets online easy and reliable for fans across the country. The introduction of a new ticketing solutions provider coi ...
Racing
Wearable Technology in Horse Racing: Gaining an Edge on the Competition
[Click on the thumbnails below to view two examples of E-Trakka readings. The one on the left is a healthy 4-year-old mare, while the one on the right is from a 2-year-old filly who was discovered to be sick from a virus and was thankfully prevented ...
Racing
Five Takeaways from Beholder's Pacific Classic
1) Brilliance – The older male and female divisions in California can be criticized, but nobody expected Beholder to dominate both in similar fashion. Whether she’s taking the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) by seven lengths ...
Racing
Avanzare takes Del Mar Mile off layoff, but note Talco & Bal a Bali
Sidelined since capturing the January 31 Arcadia (G2) at Santa Anita, Avanzare defied a nearly seven-month layoff in Sunday's $201,250 Del Mar Mile (G2) . And he did so by turning over a new tactical leaf for Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens.
The ...
Racing
Cold Exacta Picks—$140, $46—Top Long Weekend’s Profit Parade
The long weekend began with big win. In the first installment of our annual Breeders Crown Countdown (BCC) series in its own blog presentation, we scored big with a “mortal lock.” The soph-filly trotting sensation, Mission Brief, was an easy winner&n ...
Racing
Bobby's Kitten still needs to relax; Middleburg on the upswing
Aside from tonight's upcoming Del Mar Mile (G2), two other Sunday turf stakes had a bearing on the mile picture.
First came the $163,187 Play the King (G2) at Woodbine, featuring the seasonal reappearance of Bobby's Kitten. The Ramsey homebred h ...
Racing
A quick look at projected fields for Travers undercard
NYRA has released the probables for the six supporting stakes on Saturday's blockbuster Travers Day program.
The $1 million Sword Dancer (G1), a "Win & You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1): Last year's Turf runner-up Flintshire is ex ...
Racing
SOUTHLAND Preview - Monday, August 24
Welcome to another Monday twilight card of exciting greyhound racing at Southland as there are 18 entertaining races on tap for our viewing and wagering pleasure. MoneyMaker Mike's picks for this card will be greyhounds that finished in last plac ...
Racing
Baffert hopes American Pharoah meets Beholder in breeding shed
The day after supermare Beholder trounced males in Del Mar's Pacific Classic (G1), superlatives, tributes, and various expressions of marvel continued to pour in from her connections and informed observers alike.
Racing fans everywhere have been d ...
Racing