True Crimes, Real Mysteries and Tall Tales in Horse Racing
The Science of Horse Racing
- The Science of Horse Racing: Foaling the Future
- The Science of Horse Racing: Why Do Jockeys Ride Like That?
- The Science of Horse Racing: Colic and Laminitis
- The Science of Horse Racing: Why Do Some Horses Bleed After a Race?
- The Science of Racing: Vision and Blinkers
- The Science of Horse Racing: The Stride
Kentucky Derby Features
- Can Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Predict the Kentucky Derby winner?
- Swimming in the pools of Kentucky Derby betting enthusiasm
- MC Hammer, Bacharach & Steinbrenner: Kentucky Derby celebrities are uniquely fans and participants
- Mattress Mack: A colorful gallery of big bet action
- How has the winning time of the Kentucky Derby changed over time?
- Horses: $122 Billion annually to the US Economy
- Kentucky Derby scratches that changed history
- Who was the biggest underdog ever to win the Kentucky Derby?
- Analyzing 30 years of Kentucky Derby pace fractions
- Top trainers on Road to Kentucky Derby and their past Derby history
- Top 10 Most Successful Trainers in Kentucky Derby History
- The 10 best Kentucky Derby winners of all time
- Top 10 fastest Kentucky Derby times in history
- Kentucky Derby race length and distance: how long is the race?
- 20 songs for your Kentucky Derby playlist
Fun Features, Famous Horses and Interesting Facts
- Queen Elizabeth II: A Life with Horses
- World's great races named for Queen Elizabeth II
- Seabiscuit: 10 interesting facts about the legendary horse
- 10 interesting facts about Justify, the legendary horse and Triple Crown winner
- 10 interesting facts about American Pharoah, the legendary horse and Triple Crown winner
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Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 25, 2023
Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Saudi Crown is expected to target the Breeders’ Cup, with both the Classic (G1) and the shorter Dirt Mile (G1) being viable options.
Breeders Cup
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Asmussen trainees score at Churchill
A pair of second-time starters from the Steve Asmussen barn graduated in seven-furlong maiden special weights at Churchill Downs last Friday, emerging as possible Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and/or Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders.
Breeders Cup
Churchill Downs Early Pick 5: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
One week into the Churchill Downs Fall meet and the Early Pick 5 payouts are averaging just over $10,000. This five-figure trend will likely continue on Wednesday as the sequence has several vulnerable morning line favorites, including one who will surely be singled on the majority of tickets.
Features
First-crop sires: State-bred winners keep Maximus Mischief hot
One month has passed since we introduced Maximus Mischief as the early leader among first-crop sires of 2023. It’s safe to say he remains a dominant force among young stallions.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: West Saratoga
It’s only fitting that West Saratoga won the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first leg of the 2023-24 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The gray colt is bred top and bottom for success in the spring classics.
Triple Crown
Brereton C. Jones: Former Kentucky Governor's four noted Thoroughbred connections
Brereton C. Jones, who along with his wife Libby founded Airdrie Stud in 1972 and later served one term as governor of Kentucky from 1991-95, died on Sept. 18 at the age of 84.
Features
Racing Roundtable: 2024 Derby, Oaks trails kick off and Master of the Seas
A scaled-down version of the Racing Roundtable looks back at the first preps for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), a top turf miler, and other notes of interest from the weekend.
Features
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 18, 2023
The Saturday card at Woodbine in Canada featured three Grade 1 stakes awarding “Win and You’re In” berths to the Breeders’ Cup.
Breeders Cup
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach runners hit targets from Del Mar to France
Since our opening salvo on Omaha Beach’s juveniles, the freshman sire has added four more winners, for a total of 11, and increased his tally of stakes performers. Let’s catch up with his recent stakes results before focusing on his latest progeny in the win column.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Sept. 18, 2023
Jason discusses the career of jockey Gary Boulanger and his connection to the rider who announced his retirement this past weekend.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Bits
From a simple snaffle to a Norton, the right bit is just as important as the saddle and the blinkers you see on your favorite Thoroughbred.
Education
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Sept. 14, 2023
Jason looks back at his first ever Canadian Triple Crown race to attend in person, the Prince of Wales Stakes.
Features
Catching My Eye: Closing Day at Colonial Downs
Kevin Kilroy goes over horses of interest as he analyzes closing day at Colonial Downs.
Analysis
Breeders' Cup Roundup: Sept. 11, 2023
A pair of rich Saturday stakes at Kentucky Downs awarded “Win and You’re In” berths to the Breeders’ Cup as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Slider breaks through at Del Mar
At this time of year, you can usually count on at least one juvenile per week to deliver an exciting maiden victory. Last week, the excitement came courtesy of a bay colt named Slider.
Breeders Cup
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Sept. 11, 2023
Jason looks back at the end of the Colonial Downs season and his first five years calling the races in Virginia.
Features
International Spotlight: Five BC WAYIs during Irish Champions Festival
This weekend’s Irish Champions Festival features a grand total of five Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” contests.
International
Breeders' Cup Classic Preview: Pacific Classic, Travers reinforce early projections
We previewed the major role three-year-olds were poised to play in our first installment of the Breeders’ Cup Classic preview last month, and Arabian Knight and Arcangelo established themselves as the probable top two betting choices with respective wins in the Pacific Classic (G1) and Travers (G1).
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Sept. 7, 2023
Jason looks back at his first Virginia Derby and a scary incident that never really should have been scary.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track: Love, Faith, and a Filly Named Signorinetta
In the first part of the 20th century, one man’s love for a horse became an improbable story of incredible triumph.
Features
Racing Roundtable: Pacific Classic, Jockey Club Gold Cup, juvenile winners
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson comment on the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) picture after Saturday's "Win and You're In" events, the Pacific Classic (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
Features
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Citation
At his core, Citation was a horse who was serious about his job, relentless in grinding down his competition and unbending in the face of challenges. By the time he said goodbye to the racetrack, the eighth Triple Crown winner had made an indelible mark on the hearts of fans everywhere.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Aug. 31, 2023
Jason looks back at his exercise of doing the morning line for a race card at Colonial.
Features
Catching My Eye: Closing Weekend at Ellis Park
These are names we know and it’s no surprise to see them saddle a big maiden-winner over closing weekend at Ellis Park.
Analysis
Racing Roundtable: Arcangelo, Echo Zulu, and rebound candidates from Travers weekend
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson comment on what we learned from the Travers (G1) and other action from the weekend at Saratoga.
Analysis
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Aug. 28, 2023
Jason looks back at Travers Day and the win by Arcangelo.
Features
Betting Strategy: So you like an underlay favorite, what now?
You’re handicapping and you see a horse you like--a form pattern, a trainer angle, speed figures, whatever the angle. This horse should win, you think. What now?
Education
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Aug. 24, 2023
Jason looks ahead to the weekend racing and talks about Charles Town Classic night and his love of night racing.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Randomized expands Nyquist's portfolio
After Crimson Advocate captured the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot, and unbeaten New York Thunder rumbled in the Amsterdam (G2) on the Saratoga dirt, Nyquist was in the spotlight as the sire of dazzling sprinters. Now that Randomized carried her speed over 1 1/4 miles in last Saturday’s Alabama (G1), she’s expanded the horizons.
Pedigree
Racing Roundtable: Randomized steps up in Alabama; anticipation builds for Travers
In this week's edition of the Racing Roundtable, James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson comment on what Randomized's victory in the Alabama (G1) means for the three-year-old filly division.
Features
International spotlight: York's Ebor Festival offers Breeders' Cup spots
While it’s Travers Week stateside, the British racing scene is focused on the Ebor Festival at York from Wednesday through Saturday. A trio of Breeders’ Cup Challenge events will highlight the first three days, with star power in the Juddmonte International (G1) on Wednesday’s opening day.
International
Best trainers never to have won the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is America's signature race, but victory in it unfortunately eluded (or has) some of the finest and most accomplished horsemen in history.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Aug. 21, 2023
Jason looks back at the King's Plate and racing from Woodbine.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Who Is the Fastest?
Whether they pull a sulky, run a long distance, or sprint over a short quarter mile, three breeds are the stars of the sport we all love, but, of the three, who is the fastest and why?
Education
First-Crop Sires: Maximus Mischief takes the early lead
Maximus Mischief showed talent during his brief racing career. Now he’s back in the headlines thanks to a promising first crop of foals.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Hopeful-bound Pirate makes waves for Omaha Beach
With his fashionable pedigree and exceptional record on the racetrack, Omaha Beach is eligible to become a top sire.
Pedigree
First-Crop Sires: Mitole striking early with fillies
There was arguably no finer champion male sprinter in the 2010s than Mitole, who capped the decade with a tremendous campaign in 2019 that included four Grade 1 wins from six furlongs to one mile.
Pedigree
Introducing the first-crop sires series for 2023
Our team is profiling five prominent stallions making a splash with their juveniles.
Pedigree
Racing Roundtable: Rhyme Schemes and the turf division
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson take a look back at a promising juvenile, the big turf stakes at Saratoga and Colonial Downs, and much more in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Prime time just beginning for Not This Time
It’s been some week for hot young sire Not This Time, from the sales ring at Saratoga to the racecourse at Colonial Downs.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Aug. 14, 2023
Jason looks back at the first Arlington Million at Colonial Downs.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track: Kingston Goes the Distance
Bred by a Pillar of the Turf in James R. Keene, Kingston’s longevity on the racetrack comes in not only in the number of times he raced but in the wins he accumulated over his nine seasons, his greatness sealed in the record books and the Hall of Fame for all time.
History
Betting Intelligence: Arlington Million Day
From well-bred maiden prospects to well-traveled turf campaigners, compelling racing is in store on Arlington Million Day. Here are some horses to consider on the terrific card at Colonial Downs.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Aug. 10, 2023
Jason writes about the upcoming weekend and tells some stories about racing at the Tillamook Fair in Oregon.
Features
Racing Roundtable: The Whitney and Kentucky Downs Preview preps
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson recap the events of the weekend at Saratoga and Ellis Park in this edition of the Racing Roundtable.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Justify juggernaut rolls on with second-crop juveniles
Amid the celebrations of his first Grade 1-winning three-year-olds, Justify is ramping up the momentum with his second crop of juveniles. The undefeated Triple Crown champion has budding stars in both Europe and the United States, on turf and dirt.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Aug. 7, 2023
Jason looks back at a tough weekend in the world of horse racing and the dialogues that came from it.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Aug. 3, 2023
Jason writes about track post times and race days and the ever changing landscape of when tracks race.
Features
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Assault
With a heart as big as Texas, Assault did not let his small size or disfigured hoof keep him from wearing a crown and sealing his place in racing history.
Triple Crown
Racing Roundtable: Forte, Elite Power underscore champion status
James Scully and Kellie Reilly weigh in on Forte's victory in the Jim Dandy (G2), weekend developments in the sprint division, and more.
Analysis
International spotlight: Sussex, Nassau serve up Glorious clashes at Goodwood
The British summer festivals roll on to Glorious Goodwood this week, with an action-packed five days of racing kicking off on Tuesday.
International
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem July 31, 2023
Jason looks back at his first visits to Saratoga and Monmouth Park since 2019.
Features
Two Phil's just one of notables graduating from Colonial Downs
In recent years, a number of major performers broke their maidens at Colonial Downs, including Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Two Phil’s.
Features
International spotlight: Battle royal on tap in 2023 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth
A vintage edition of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) is set for Ascot on Saturday (10:40 a.m. ET), with an overload of angles and storylines.
International
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for July 27, 2023
Jason writes about the anniversary of his dad's passing this week and their connection in racing.
Features
Catching My Eye: DeVaux scores Haskell undercard upset, Saratoga nail-biter
On Saturday over a 20-minute span, Cherie DeVaux sent out two upset winners in as exciting of races as you can find, as Shotgun Hottie took the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher S. on the Haskell undercard at Monmouth and Taking Candy nosed out two fellow three-year-old flyers in a salty first-level allowance across Saratoga’s inner turf.
Analysis
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem July 24, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing and talks about Del Mar's big opening weekend.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: What is a Turf Hoof?
Understanding the difference between turf and dirt hooves and what that knowledge adds to your toolbox can give you another angle to consider when making your picks.
Education
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for July 20, 2023
Jason looks back at a crazy Haskell Day from 2019.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem July 17, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend and discusses the passing and memory of Funny Cide.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track: A Girl Named Ruth(less)
More than the first name on a long list, Ruthless was the best of her generation, whose grand career on the track made her accidental demise off the track all the more tragic.
Education
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for July 13, 2023
Jason looks ahead to the meet at Colonial Downs that gets underway today!
Features
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 1 Saturday stakes
There will be at least two graded stakes scheduled on each Saturday of the Saratoga meet, of which there will be eight beginning July 15.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem July 10, 2023
Jason looks back at his favorite story from the weekend, as jockey Cindy Murphy took home her 2,000th win in a very special way.
Features
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Count Fleet
Count Fleet swept into his classic season like no other. Virtually unbeatable at three, his trip through the three races was marked not by grinding stretch runs for the win but by the ease behind his victories, the clear joy he had in the running. The heart that wore the sixth Triple Crown was one that was both headstrong and ecstatic in one small brown package.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for July 6, 2023
Jason discusses all the various types of horse racing and how they cross over amongst fans and bettors.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Frankel hits Royal Ascot triple, follows up with Curragh juvenile
Frankel deserved the pedigree notebook treatment for siring three Group 1 stars at Royal Ascot, but the Juddmonte great is a moving target. He has continued to supply more material in the interim, most significantly a juvenile filly who broke her maiden over Irish Derby weekend.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem July 3, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend and his favorite story from the weekend involving a special name for a horse.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for June 29, 2023
Jason discusses special moments in horse racing, both in the public eye and behind the curtains.
Features
Racing Roundtable: Three-year-old division, Royal Ascot, Equinox
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson reconvene the roundtable to discuss recent international highlights and tab three-year-olds to step up in the second half.
Features
Royal Ascot 2023: Top 10 takeaways
While the proliferation of longshots was a recurring theme of Royal Ascot 2023, there’s much more to be gleaned from the five action-packed days. Here’s my synthesis, in top 10 style.
Royal Ascot
Catching My Eye: Ellis Park June 22-25
This week on Catching My Eye, we’ll look to polish off a few efforts that maybe don't look so impressive on the page, but considering the track bias at Ellis Park, they were really valiant efforts.
Analysis
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for June 26, 2023
Jason looks back at some of his highlights from the weekend, including discussing some tournament play and coverage.
Features
International spotlight: Equinox tackles Breeders' Cup WAYI Takarazuka Kinen
Late Saturday night/early Sunday morning our time (2:40 a.m. ET), the world’s top-rated horse, Equinox, returns in the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Hanshin.
International
Betting Strategy: Finding an edge as a horseplayer
The individual horseplayer can find an edge from seeing the same thing as everybody else but reacting to it in a different way.
Education
Horsey History in the Tar Heel State: Where Breeding and Racing Have Surprising North Carolina Roots
Though live racing has not been part of the sporting landscape for generations, North Carolina has deep roots in the early history of both Thoroughbred racing and breeding, roots even older than the United States itself.
History
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for June 22, 2023
Jason looks ahead to the summer and all the things that come with summer racing.
Features
Five Tips for Handicapping Juvenile Races
Personally, I have had a good measure of success over the years with these types of races, and below are a handful of things that I put at the center of my handicapping for juvenile events.
Features
Ellis Park: Track Profile, Vulnerable Favorites, and High Impact Jockeys
Whether you’ve been paying close attention or want to turn your focus to Ellis Park, here are some trends to guide your play.
Analysis
The Science of Horse Racing: Four Legs and Infinite Questions
Injuries to a horse’s leg bones can mean a range of outcomes, requiring everything from simply time to heal to ultimately having to let go of a beloved companion. From Spanish Riddle to Epicenter, the reality of the legs’ structures makes treatment and recovery a tenuous and difficult outcome that is dependent on a number of variables.
Education
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Jun. 19, 2023
Jason looks back at some of the racing from the weekend at Monmouth Park as well as a friend of his becoming a winning owner!
Features
Breeders' Cup Challenge events among must-see clashes at Royal Ascot 2023
As the show-stopping summer racing festival, Royal Ascot invariably serves up compelling fare. North American fans have an added incentive to watch the four Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” (WAYI) events, but the top-drawer action spans the entire five days from June 20-24.
Royal Ascot
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Ascot winners
A ubiquitous presence at the Royal meeting until the last few years of her life, Elizabeth II enjoyed a fair amount of success at the fixture.
Royal Ascot
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for June 15, 2023
Jason talks about Father's Day and horse racing and how for many of us, they have a strong connection.
Features
Catching My Eye: The Matt Winn (G3) and weekend racing at Ellis Park
Racing analyst Kevin Kilroy looks back at the Matt Winn (G3) won by Disarm on Sunday, along with impressive performances from a handful of runners over the weekend at Ellis Park.
Analysis
Racing Roundtable: 2023 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival
The Roundtable of James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson discusses the Belmont (G1) and other notable performances over the festive weekend.
Belmont Stakes
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem: June 12, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend, including a very exciting and special Belmont Stakes victory by Arcangelo.
Features
Betting Intelligence: Contenders to watch for June 10
While stars are out in force on Belmont Stakes Day, a few others offer food for thought. Are my notes actionable intelligence, or creativity run amok?
Belmont Stakes
Tall Tales of the Track: Three Times the Victory
The Carter Handicap has long been a feature of the New York stakes schedule. Inaugurated in 1895, the race is named for William Carter, a tugboat captain and Brooklyn contractor who put up a portion of the purse money and the trophy for his namesake race. Both Aqueduct and Belmont Park have hosted the Carter, but for the majority of its history, it has been contested at Aqueduct, where, in 1944, something singular happened.
Education
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for June 8, 2023
Jason gives his thoughts on this year's Belmont Stakes!
Features
Historical trends against National Treasure winning second classic in Belmont
The expected field for the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 10 will include the winner of the Preakness (G1), but not the Kentucky Derby winner (G1) who ran in and lost the Preakness. This will be only the eighth such occurrence in the Belmont since 1953.
Triple Crown
Catching My Eye: Asmussen and Kenneally runners at Churchill Downs
Racing analyst Kevin Kilroy weighs in on a pair of Steve Asmussen runners and a trio from the barn of Eddie Kenneally who caught his attention at Churchill Downs.
Analysis
Racing Roundtable: Stephen Foster Preview Day
The Roundtable reconvenes this week to discuss Stephen Foster Preview Day and the three-year-old class both domestically and overseas.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Frankel's son Cracksman, venerable family make Ace Impact
Undefeated French Derby (G1) winner Ace Impact is from the first crop of Frankel’s outstanding son Cracksman, from the extended family of dual classic queen-turned-globetrotter Ouija Board.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem June 5, 2023
Jason looks back on some of the weekend racing and talks about race selection.
Features
Betting intelligence: Five contenders to watch for June 3
Following up on last week’s stakes jottings, here are several contenders who sparked thoughts for Saturday stakes from Churchill Downs to Woodbine and Belmont Park.
Features
Made for Hollywood: Secretariat and the 1973 Belmont Stakes
Among the fortunate 67,000-plus paid attendees at Belmont Park for Secretariat’s epic triumph was longtime Lexington, Ky., resident and industry contributor Rab Hagin.
Triple Crown
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Whirlaway
Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown winner, ignited the imaginations of those along for the ride on the cusp of war in 1941.
Triple Crown
POPULAR ARTICLES
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Asmussen trainees score at ChurchillChurchill Downs Early Pick 5: Wednesday, September 20, 2023First-crop sires: State-bred winners keep Maximus Mischief hotKentucky Derby pedigree profile: West SaratogaBrereton C. Jones: Former Kentucky Governor's four noted Thoroughbred connections
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