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Japan's ascent in international horse racing: World rankings tell the tale
Japan has dispatched a series of outstanding Thoroughbred ambassadors on the world stage in recent years, becoming a force in international racing festivals.
Analysis
The Most Predictive Horse Racing Metrics: What Actually Moves the Odds
Intuitively, we know hot jockeys, hot trainers, and strong speed figures are some of the major handicapping angles that attract betting support. But what does the data say?
Racing
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
Sunny’s Halo bested injury and a full field on Derby Day to bring another victory in the Run for the Roses back to the Great White North.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lucky Kid
Lucky Kid could be bound for the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) after holding off a late challenger to win the Hyacinth S. over 1,600 meters (about one mile) at Tokyo Racecourse.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Feb. 26, 2026
Jason discusses how tracks report and distribute information to the public.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Great White
Does Great White have the pedigree to excel racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt in the Kentucky Derby (G1)? That’s an important question to ask.
Racing
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Sir Barton
Thoroughbreds are fast and powerful athletes and the most elite are the ones whose names become a part of our collective consciousness, but, like familiar faces like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, they were living, breathing beings who interacted with the world around them and left a distinct impression on those who cared for them.
Triple Crown
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Jet Pilot, 1947)
In a year sandwiched between Triple Crown winners, Jet Pilot capitalized on his good fortune and brought home a rosy victory for his famous owner and Hall of Fame trainer.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 23, 2026
Jason discusses some racing from the weekend, as well as the tournament scene and its community.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Feb. 19, 2026
Jason writes about getting involved in racing boards and leadership groups.
Racing
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Whiskery, 1927)
The history of the Kentucky Derby is rich with names that have left their mark on this classic race: Bradley, Woodward, Chenery, and Whitney, owners who all celebrated more than one victory of their own. The Whitney family’s connection to the Run for the Roses spans more than a century with four wins from their long list of starters.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Al Haram
Al Haram, an unbeaten colt based in Saudi Arabia, brought his record to 4-for-4 with a late-charging triumph in the Saudi Derby (G3).
Racing
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Gallant Fox
Gallant Fox’s victories in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes were the first to come with the name “Triple Crown,” as those intervening years saw the three races enter the sport’s consciousness with that sobriquet attached.
Triple Crown
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 16, 2026
Jason looks back at the 100th anniversary party at Tampa Bay Downs and talks about meeting the great Tom Durkin.
Racing
2026 Saudi Cup Day: Top 10 storylines
The world’s richest race features the world’s top-rated dirt horse, as global dirt supremo Forever Young is on a quest to become the first two-time winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).
Racing
All-Access Trackside Coverage: 2026 Risen Star Weekend at Fair Grounds
Welcome to our All-Access Trackside Coverage of the 2026 Risen Star Weekend at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Silent Tactic among four new winners
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 81 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Renegade
Renegade has shown talent and stamina on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, winning the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis S. and 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby (G1) in succession.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Plutarch
It’s fitting to see Plutarch emerge as a 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. His pedigree contains two of the most dominant Kentucky Derby sires of the last decade.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Talk to Me Jimmy
Talk to Me Jimmy made his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut a winning one in the 1 1/8-mile Withers S., leading all the way to dominate by 11 lengths.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Silent Tactic
A powerful rally from off the pace carried Silent Tactic to a decisive win in the Southwest (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 9, 2026
Jason discusses a maiden event from Tampa on Saturday that might turn out to be the most significant race from the weekend.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Nearly
Dueling for the lead through hot pace fractions didn’t stop Nearly from dominating the Holy Bull (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Omaha
When any Triple Crown winner goes to stud, the high expectations set by winning that coveted trophy come along, as fans eagerly anticipate the next generation. Can he copy himself and produce another just like him? Of the 13 to have worn the crown, only one has done what is nearly impossible, a feat unlikely to be duplicated anytime soon: siring another Triple Crown winner.
Education
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Feb. 2, 2026
Jason discusses Nearly's win in the Holy Bull (G3) and the Derby trail in its early stages.
Racing
Tall Tales of the Track: Honoring the Memory of a Rider Long Gone
By the late 19th century, the Kentucky Derby had become a fixture on the American stakes calendar, but its home track struggled with its finances and with attracting good horses for its list of feature races. When Chant arrived in Louisville for the 1894 Derby, he would face a short field, but a victory would give his young jockey a place in the sport’s history books and preserve his memory for years to come.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Jan. 29, 2026
Jason discusses his recent visit to the backstretch with Rasi Harper from The Real Players Inside the Backstretch.
Racing
The Heart That Wears the Crown: War Admiral
Lofty expectations are laid upon the greats when they exit stage left to enter the next phase. When Man o’ War said goodbye to his life on the track, the focus then became on whether the 20th century’s greatest racehorse could produce another one like him. Whatever it was that made Big Red so dominant and so iconic had to be passed along to his progeny, but what would that look like?
Triple Crown
Dark Star wins the 1953 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum/Churchill Downs)
Faded Glory: Forgotten Winners of the Kentucky Derby (Dark Star, 1953)
In 1953, the sport had fallen in love with a gray colt who seemed destined to sweep every race he tried, but in that year’s Kentucky Derby, Native Dancer’s unexpected defeat came thanks to a colt named Dark Star.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 26, 2026
Jason looks back at the career arcs of both White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking as they continue to buck the trend of most handicap division horses who retire early.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Six Speed
Six Speed flaunted his speed in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) at Meydan in Dubai, carving out the pace on his way to winning the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier by five lengths.
Racing
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
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Gallahadion, 1940)
Bimelech entered the year as Colonel E.R. Bradley’s best hope for a fifth Derby win, his undefeated record making a win on the first Saturday in May a veritable certainty. In the wings waited a surprise for the overwhelming favorite, Gallahadion, an unheralded contender who would deliver a sweet victory for a familiar name.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Golden Tempo
Can Golden Tempo go where no son of Curlin has gone before: to the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner’s circle?
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Jan. 19, 2026
Jason discusses some of the weekend races, including the Lecomte S. (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Faded Glory: Forgotten Winners of the Kentucky Derby (Venetian Way, 1960)
In 1960, with a Hall of Famer in the saddle, Venetian Way scored his signature victory for his soft-spoken owner and big-dreaming trainer, with his ultimate legacy coming in the form of another historic moment for America’s most famous race.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Jan. 15, 2026
With the 10-year anniversary of the podcast this week, Jason looks back at some things he's learned doing the show over the last decade.
Racing
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.
Features
Horses to follow in 2026: Nanda Dea
In an alternate universe, the 2025 Marie G. Krantz Memorial at Fair Grounds would have kicked off a productive campaign for Argentine champion Nanda Dea.
Racing
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Omar Khayyam, 1917)
The list of Kentucky Derby victors currently stands at 149 names long, a roster of horses famed and forgotten, each with a story of their own. In its fifth decade, the historic equine contest emerged from its lean years with new vigor, ignited by a filly, a longshot, and in 1917, another first for America’s signature race: an international victor.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 12, 2026
Jason looks back at a rider's first career win and other riders' celebration of the achievement.
Racing
Horses to follow in 2026: Fully Subscribed
If not for an injury that sidelined her for the bulk of 2025, Fully Subscribed probably would have been involved in the marquee races for three-year-old fillies.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Jan. 8, 2026
Jason looks back on this date in 2006, when he announced his first-ever race at Portland Meadows.
Racing
Churchill Downs among winners in 2025 handle growth
Takeaways from the year in Thoroughbred wagering for 2025.
Racing
Horses to follow in 2026: Plutarch
Plutarch's pedigree, surface versatility, and unusual trajectory for a Bob Baffert juvenile make him a fascinating character.
Racing
Horses to follow in 2026: The Padre
The Padre has every right to keep developing into an elite older turf horse for trainer Phil D’Amato.
Racing
Concerns about Eclipse qualifications misplaced
One recurring storyline regarding the 2025 Eclipse Award vote was a seemingly increased concern about rewarding horses that raced only once in the U.S.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Strategic Risk
Strategic Risk, winner of the Smarty Jones S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, doesn’t have the flashiest pedigree at first glance.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: My World
A tenacious triumph in the one-mile Jerome S. at Aqueduct has propelled My World into the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture.
Racing
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.
Education
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Jan. 5, 2026
Jason discusses the turning of the calendar and the three-year-old series starting to heat up.
Racing
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Jan. 3, 2026]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Analysis
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.
Racing
Top 10 races of 2025
Highlights have been aplenty in the racing world in 2025, so choosing the top 10 races of the year isn’t easy.
Analysis
Year in review: Reilly’s 10 favorite races of 2025
This personal retrospective is more about the races that endure in my memory, for reasons of circumstance or sentiment. That makes the exercise less predictable.
Racing
Best of Hanson: 2025 Anthology
After a hiatus in 2024, an end-of-year compendium of my historically oriented writing is back for the year coming to a close next week.
Racing
Year in review: 10 of the best horses of 2025
Preference is given to horses that have shown their absolute class regularly, rather than those that only produce outstanding efforts once or twice.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Secured Freedom steps forward
Secured Freedom, a maiden winner on opening day at Santa Anita, prevailed in a manner suggesting he’s a budding 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 29, 2025
Jason discusses opening day at Santa Anita and shares some memories from the Great Race Place.
Racing
Intriguing moments from the career of D. Wayne Lukas
Tidbits, trivia, and the occasional oddity related to Lukas' legendary Hall of Fame training career.
Racing
Remembering Gentildonna: The ultimate clutch player
Next Sunday’s 70th running of the Arima Kinen (G1), Japan’s “All-Star” event at the end of the year, will have a special poignancy.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Express Kid
Express Kid, the gate-to-wire winner of the Remington Springboard Mile S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, was purchased for only $2,000 as a yearling.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chip Honcho
Chip Honcho joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a determined win in the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds. But his pedigree is a bit unorthodox for a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 22, 2025
Jason discusses Wolfie's Dynaghost's win at Gulfstream Park and talks about track records.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Pyromancer
Pyromancer emerged as a 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when he brought his record to a perfect 3-for-3 in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Dec. 18, 2025
In the final Thursday Thoughts of the calendar year, Jason looks back at his 2025 in the racing world.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litmus Test
After recording top-four finishes in a trio of Grade 1 races, Litmus Test scored his first stakes win in a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier, nabbing the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) to conclude a productive two-year-old season.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Dec. 15, 2025
Jason discusses some of the weekend cancellations and Woodbine wrapping up their season.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Dec. 11, 2025
Jason gives some thoughts and memories of Hastings Race Course in Vancouver.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Paladin, Renegade run 1-2 in Remsen
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 144 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Paladin
A decade after Gun Runner finished third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1), he’s making an impressive impact on the 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 8, 2025
Jason discusses the New York Stallion Series races and state-bred programs as the state-bred stakes season winds down.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Further Ado
Further Ado joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a rallying win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Satono Voyage
Leading sire Into Mischief is launching a multinational assault on the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
International spotlight: 2025 Japan Cup
Analyzing the top contenders and longshots of interest for the Tokyo feature set for 1:40 a.m. ET.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Nov. 25, 2025
Kellie Reilly joins Jason for our weekly International Radar segment. And Jason discusses the upcoming Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Nov. 24, 2025
Jason discusses Thanksgiving races and gives some of his thanks for this year.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Nov. 20, 2025
Jason looks back at opening day from Tampa Bay Downs and discusses opening days in general.
Racing
2025 Breeders’ Cup: 14 Postscripts on the Championships
Thoughts on Forever Young, Nysos, Ethical Diamond, Scylla, Ted Noffey, and more!
Racing
LIVE Breeders' Cup 2025: Expert picks, odds, entries, results and more for Saturday horse racing
Welcome to Saturday's LIVE Breeders' Cup 2025 coverage!
Analysis
Top 5 questions to be answered at 2025 Breeders’ Cup
Two extraordinary days of racing at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup promise to deliver pulsating performances on the track, with wider historical repercussions.
Racing
LIVE
LIVE Breeders' Cup 2025: Expert picks, odds, entries, results and moreWelcome to our LIVE Breeders' Cup 2025 coverage!
Analysis
Trainer and jockey trends to consider for Breeders' Cup 2025
If you’re looking for a trainer and jockey to follow at the Breeders’ Cup, statistics suggest you should look seriously at Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
Racing
2025 Breeders’ Cup: Sires battle for all-time record
Into Mischief, Dubawi, Curlin, and Tapit all have multiple chances to increase their totals.
Racing
2025 Breeders Cup News and Notes: Everything you need for race day
The Breeders' Cup is upon us, which means it's time for our annual Breeders' Cup news and notes. Come here to find updates all week.
Analysis
History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint performances
The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) enjoyed its inaugural running in 2007. In the years since, the race has been a proving ground for the fleetest female racehorses in North America.
Breeders Cup
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Incredibolt
Incredibolt joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby sooner than many horses. The early-maturing colt won the Street Sense (G3) during the fall meet at Churchill Downs with a last-to-first rally.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Gallivant graduates in a stakes
It’s uncommon for horses to score their first career win at the stakes level, but Gallivant achieved the feat in the Bowman Mill S. at Keeneland.
Racing
History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Sprint performances
Over the course of 38 editions, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) has produced a bevy of eye-catching winners. Let’s take a tour through history and rank the Top 10 best Breeders’ Cup Sprint performances.
Breeders Cup
Tall Tales of the Track: A Stinging Inspiration for Success
Some horses just need a little inspiration. A little kick of the heels cues them to pick up their pace. Maybe a smooch in their ear to signal ‘time to fly.’ We know and love horses for their many fantastic attributes, like speed, stamina, and heart, but we have all seen times when they need something extra to extend themselves. In the case of Polynesian, he needed a few stings to find success.
Racing
Run the Gantlet: Enigmatic champion of the turf
The good ones sometimes come in waves. For a period in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the tide was extraordinarily high for Paul Mellon.
Features
Early look at storylines for 2025 Breeders’ Cup: Championships Saturday
Continued from Vol. 1 on Breeders' Cup milestones and storylines for Future Stars Friday
Racing
Early look at storylines for 2025 Breeders’ Cup: Milestones, Future Stars Friday
As we eagerly await the official fields for the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 extravaganza at Del Mar, the prime contenders and broad outlines are already coming into focus
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Oct. 13, 2025
Jason discusses tournaments including the recent Keeneland BCBC/NHC Qualifier and the upcoming BCBC.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Oct. 9, 2025
Jason discusses Napoleon Solo bypassing the Breeders' Cup and horse racing's lack of a true "schedule."
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Intrepido
In recent years, the dominant sire (and grandsire) of Kentucky Derby (G1) winners has been Into Mischief.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Local Knowledge finishes fast
Ted Noffey isn’t the only promising 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender campaigned by Spendthrift Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Napoleon Solo
Napoleon Solo joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a tremendous performance in the Champagne (G1), leading all the way to dominate by 6 1/2 lengths.
Racing