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
POPULAR ARTICLES
VIDEOS
LATEST
Handicappers Debate: 2023 The Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Fillies and mares on the turf are featured in this week’s debate, as handicappers Vance Hanson and Ashley Anderson offer differing opinions on Saturday’s $150,000 The Very One (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Features
Kentucky Derby Report: Rebel upset precedes flurry of early March preps
March opens with a bang for Kentucky Derby contenders, as four qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series will be held on March 4
Triple Crown
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds Feb. 25-26
Racing analyst Kevin Kilroy discusses a group of three-year-olds who caught his attention at Fair Grounds during the final weekend of February.
Analysis
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for March 2, 2023
Jason writes the third installment of his series "The Six Secrets of Unsuccessful Bettors" and talks about race and pool selection.
Features
Racing Roundtable: Rebel, Honeybee, and Saudi Cup
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson devote this week's Racing Roundtable to recapping Rebel Day at Oaklawn Park and the events of the Saudi Cup program from last Saturday.
Analysis
Pedigree notebook: Sweet cross on display in Candy Man Rocket
Aside from his reminder that Candy Ride also gets sharp sprinters, Candy Man Rocket is a further example of his cross with Storm Cat-line mares.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 27, 2023
Jason looks back at the Rebel Stakes and the wonderful post-race interview from trainer Keith Desormeaux.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Why Do Some Horses Bleed After a Race?
For this month’s Science of Horse Racing, let us look at EIPH in Thoroughbreds and how it can affect a horse on race day and beyond.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 23, 2023
In Part 2 of his "Six Secrets of Unsuccessful Bettors," Jason writes about poor fund allocation and not realizing every dollar's earning potential.
Features
Racing Roundtable: 2023 Louisiana Derby Preview Day
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson are back to provide takeaways from the Louisiana Derby Preview Day card at Fair Grounds in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Pedigree notebook: ‘Classic' patterns recur
Champion Classic Empire celebrated a graded stakes double on Saturday, and both of his winners are out of Bernardini-line mares.
Pedigree
Tall Tales of the Track: Sysonby, the (Almost) Unbeatable
A skeleton of a horse once hung in the American Museum of Natural History, the limbs positioned as if in flight.
History
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 20, 2023
This past Saturday, a nationwide moment of silence was held at racetracks from across the country to not only remember jockey Avery Whisman, who passed away last month, but to raise awareness for the mental and physical struggles that can come along with riding horses as a career.
Features
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds
New Orleans is the destination for this week’s debate, as handicappers Alastair Bull and James Scully offer different opinions in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Kentucky Derby
The Jury: Bets and fades for Feb. 18
The Jury reconvenes to deliberate on an excellent day of racing from coast to coast, highlighted by Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds.
Features
Catching My Eye: Morning Breezes Ahead of Louisiana Derby Preview Day
As the three-year-old campaigns build momentum and with Louisiana Derby Preview Day on Saturday, the morning workouts at Fair Grounds have been heating up.
Kentucky Derby
Derby Report – Stakes debuters continue to strike in Davis, Withers; Risen Star gets big field
Hit Show and Litigate became the latest first-time stakes performers to win a qualifier, jumping on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with respective wins in the Withers (G3) and Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 11.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 16, 2023
Jason starts a new series for the Thursday column called the "Six Secrets of Unsuccessful Bettors."
Features
Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks trails
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson take a look at the latest developments along the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) trails in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Gulfstream turf sprint double for Uncaptured
Gulfstream Park staged two stakes on Saturday, and progeny of Uncaptured won both.
Pedigree
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
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Feb. 13, 2023
Jason writes about the Suncoast Stakes and how there's never a sure thing in horse racing.
Features
Saudi Cup Day prospectus: Country Grammer, Taiba, Elite Power among probables
Now that the projected fields for the Feb. 25 Saudi Cup Day extravaganza have been announced, let’s get a head start on the handicapping! Here are the key contenders in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) as well the five Thoroughbred stakes on the undercard.
International
Racing Roundtable: Holy Bull and Robert B. Lewis
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back at last weekend's classic preps and other three-year-old doings in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds Feb. 2-4
Yes, 11 of the 38 in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 are trained by Brad Cox, but don’t think for a second that’s all he’s got.
Analysis
Pedigree notebook: Earls Rock built upon legends ancient and modern
Earls Rock's pedigree curates a multiplicity of strains of Northern Dancer, and his female line traces to an all-time great racemare.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 6, 2023
Jason writes about an aspiring racecaller who got an opportunity to call some races this past weekend.
Features
Saudi Cup: Scotland Yard building case as local hope
One year after locally-based Emblem Road stunned the world in the Saudi Cup (G1), could lightning strike twice for the same connections in the $20 million race?
International
Catching My Eye: Cox striking at 42% through Jan. 29 at Fair Grounds
Through Jan. 29 at Fair Grounds, the Brad Cox barn has sent out 50 runners, 21 of them winners. 42%.
Analysis
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 2, 2023
Jason talks about some horse racing personalities and participants he'd love to interview someday.
Features
Racing Roundtable: Arabian Knight, Pegasus World Cup, and Eclipse Awards
The Racing Roundtable discusses Arabian Knight's romp in the Southwest (G3), takeaways from the Pegasus World Cup (G1), and Eclipse Awards disagreements.
Analysis
Pedigree notebook: An Eclipse Awards triple for Curlin
Hall of Famer Curlin added to his historic resume by siring an extraordinary three individual champions of 2022 — Malathaat (older dirt female), Nest (three-year-old filly), and Elite Power (male sprinter).
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 30, 2023
Jason looks back at the Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Foaling the Future
Let’s look at the process of foaling and how our favorite racehorses went from safe inside a broodmare’s womb to taking their first steps toward greatness.
Education
Top trainers on Road to Kentucky Derby and their past Derby history
We take a look at some of the top Derby trainers and their horses to keep an eye on in upcoming Derby preps, as well as how those trainers have fared in past Kentucky Derby races.
Kentucky Derby
Pegasus World Cup Turf international scouting report: Hurricane Dream
As Frankie Dettori’s global farewell tour takes in Pegasus Day at Gulfstream Park, the renowned reinsman reunites with Hurricane Dream in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1).
International
Tall Tales of the Track: Death Rides Along
The story of the jockey who died in the middle of the race.
History
Oaklawn Park: Early trends for 2023 meet
Most trends at Oaklawn Park are playing out as might be expected. But there have been a few interesting stats to start the year.
Analysis
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 26, 2023
Jason gives his thoughts on this year's Pegasus World Cup field and the event itself.
Features
Catching My Eye: Derby Hopefuls on Fair Grounds Road to the Derby Day
With Road to the Derby Day and other strong fields, there was a lot of action at the Fair Grounds this past week. Let’s dive into two races: the Lecomte and the three-year-old allowance race that featured a handful of Derby dreamers.
Analysis
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Racing Roundtable: Lecomte Day and Pegasus World Cup
A look back at last weekend's Lecomte Day card at Fair Grounds and a look ahead to the Pegasus World Cup (G1) program at Gulfstream in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Hot and Sultry genetic combo
Four-year-old filly Hot and Sultry continued her upward curve by capturing her stakes debut in the Jan. 21 American Beauty S. at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 23, 2023
Jason looks back at the Lecomte card from Fair Grounds this past weekend.
Features
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Louisiana at Fair Grounds
Handicappers Ashley Anderson and James Scully have different opinions in Saturday's Louisiana (G3) at Fair Grounds, which has attracted nine runners.
Features
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 21
This weekend's action is highlighted by the "Road to the Derby Day" program at Fair Grounds, featuring the Lecomte (G3).
Features
First-Crop Sires Update: Mendelssohn progeny start strongly as 3yos
The Scat Daddy half-brother to Into Mischief and Beholder was a Grade 1 performer on both turf and dirt, and his progeny, like him, should improve with age.
Pedigree
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 19, 2023
Celebrating the seventh anniversary of his first podcast, Jason looks back at seven things he's learned from doing the show.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Nothing hidden about Occult's cross
Kentucky Oaks hopeful Occult sports the same pedigree pattern as Mandaloun.
Pedigree
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 16, 2023
Jason discusses his mom's visit to Tampa Bay Downs and family connections to horse racing.
Features
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 14
A relatively quiet Saturday of action across the country includes a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep at Aqueduct and listed stakes at Oaklawn, Tampa Bay Downs, and elsewhere. James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson tackle these and other races in this week's TwinSpires Jury.
Features
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Fifth Season at Oaklawn Park
Saturday’s Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn Park features a solid group of 10 older horses competing over a two-turn mile, and James Scully and John Mucciolo have different opinions.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 12, 2023
“You got big shoes to fill.” We’ve all heard that phrase used whenever somebody takes over from their predecessor who was either an extreme talent or simply beloved in their role.
Features
First-crop sires 2022: Girvin relocated to Kentucky after making his mark
Girvin achieved success as a freshman sire, ranking fifth among first-crop sires by progeny earnings in 2022 ($1,910,156), and his five stakes winners included Grade 1 conqueror Faiza.
Pedigree
Catching My Eye: LA-bred extraordinaires from Fair Grounds, Jan. 5-8
Three stakes winners plus a debut runner caught Kevin Kilroy's eye last week at Fair Grounds.
Analysis
First-crop sires 2022: Justify makes Japanese impact
In a three-way battle for first-crop supremacy with Bolt d’Oro and Good Magic in 2022, Triple Crown winner Justify eventually finished third.
Pedigree
Racing Roundtable: Thoughts on the Sham and Jerome
The Racing Roundtable this week discusses the impact of the two most recent Kentucky Derby (G1) preps and other action that occurred during the first full weekend of 2023.
Analysis
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 9, 2023
Jason discusses the injury of a jockey this past week and the dangers of being a jockey.
Features
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 7
The first Saturday of 2023 will offer plenty of stakes action and more from coast to coast.
Features
Kentucky Derby Report: Forte brings top credentials to the New Year
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn’t get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, the Smarty Jones.
Kentucky Derby
Pegasus World Cup 2023: Seven things to know
To help you get ready for the seventh running of the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28, here are seven things to know about race trends, the historical background, and successful trainers.
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 5, 2023
Jason discusses his personal 2023 racing resolutions for the year.
Features
Bulldog Hanover sets a world record for a mile of 1:45 4/5 at the Meadowlands. (Photo by Lisa Photo)
2022: The year of record-breaking Bulldog
Harness racing star Bulldog Hanover put up a season that was well and truly comparable to that of Thoroughbred hero Flightline.
Harness
Dubai Carnival 2023: Horses to watch from the fall season at Meydan
The Dubai World Cup Carnival begins on Jan. 6, yet the racing action has already been in full swing in the United Arab Emirates since Oct. 28.
International
Racing Roundtable: New Year's weekend and beyond in 2023
The Racing Roundtable kicks off 2023 with a look back at the action over New Year's weekend and a look ahead to the upcoming season.
Features
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds, Dec. 29-Jan. 1 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy'
Mercy Warren won by 16 lengths in a first-level allowance sprint on Sunday at Fair Grounds with a merciless move in the turn.
Analysis
12 to keep on the radar for 2023
Of the very many horses to look forward to in 2023, I’d like to highlight a dozen to keep on the radar.
International
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 2, 2023
Jason discusses using the new year as an opportunity to make some changes.
Features
Kentucky Derby: 2022 End of Year Stock Take
With all major juvenile racing now complete in 2022, it’s time to take stock of the 2023 Kentucky Derby picture – though it may seem as murky as it’s ever been.
Kentucky Derby
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 29, 2022
Jason looks back at some of his favorite moments from 2022.
Features
2022 in Review: Leading Turf Horses by Eclipse Award categories
A majority of Eclipse Award categories for equine flat performers is technically open to all runners, regardless of surface proclivity.
Breeders Cup
2022 in Review: A record year for trainer Todd Pletcher
With stable earnings of more than $30.3 million, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has enjoyed a record season in 2022.
Features
Top Winning Brisnet Speed Ratings for 2022
Brisnet Speed Ratings show there were two outstanding performances in 2022: one by Flightline, and one by… Wudda U Think Now?
Belmont Stakes
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 22, 2022
Jason talks about some of his favorite holiday week traditions including opening day at Santa Anita!
Features
2022 in Review: Reilly's 10 favorite races
From the sublime Flightline to photo-finish thrillers, the 2022 racing year delivered some outstanding moments. Here’s a personal list of my 10 favorite races of the season, divided equally between North America and Europe.
Breeders Cup
2022 in Review: Bull's 10 Best Races of the year
As of this moment, these are the 10 races I enjoyed watching most in 2022.
Triple Crown
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 19, 2022
Jason looks back at the career of Rated R Superstar who won another stakes Saturday night at Remington Park.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Colic and Laminitis
Both colic and laminitis come up as health issues that affect horses both on the racetrack and off.
Education
The Jury: Bets and fades for Dec. 17
With most tracks dark next weekend for the Christmas holiday, bettors looking for a little extra spending money had better take advantage of the action available over the next few days.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 15, 2022
Jason discusses the topic of what makes a "good betting race."
Features
Catching My Eye: Two Angles to find prices at Fair Grounds, Part One
Four weeks in at Fair Grounds, racing analyst Kevin Kilroy has found two handicapping angles that have been key for finding price horses.
Analysis
True Crime in Horse Racing: Shergar, Stallion Lost
This month, we explore the ultimate cold case in horse racing, an international mystery that captivates to this day. Who kidnapped Shergar and why?
History
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 12, 2022
Jason discusses this past weekend's Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos and his relationship with Quarter Horse racing.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 8, 2022
Jason talks about the concept of money management and how it relates to big scores.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 5, 2022
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing and talks about Julia Shining's impressive but odd win in the Demoiselle.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dubyuhnell
Unwavering tenacity carried Dubyuhnell to a hard-fought victory in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, but can he stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Pedigree
After the Racetrack: Mr. Meso
Meet Mr. Meso, an essential member of the Clarke family and an OTTB who thrives in his roles as celebrity, companion, and four-legged assistant.
Aftercare
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 1, 2022
Jason writes about the concepts of bankroll and risk tolerance in horse betting.
Features
Contenders to fill Flightline's void in older horse division
With Flightline headed to stud, the older horse dirt division lacks a standout entering 2023. Let's examine six contenders.
Analysis
Catching My Eye: Maidens at the Fair Grounds, Nov. 24-27
Racing analyst Kevin Kilroy examines the maidens that impressed him at Fair Grounds during Thanksgiving weekend.
Features
Fair Grounds meet horseplayer preview: Louisiana circuit insights
Here are some things to know about Fair Grounds and the Louisiana circuit to help sharpen your edge.
Analysis
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Racing Roundtable: Stars of Tomorrow II
With the 2022 Churchill Downs fall meet in the books, James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back on the final Saturday's juvenile action in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 28, 2022
Jason looks back at the weekend and discusses the response to Rich Strike's Clark Stakes effort.
Features
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Breeders' Cup Juvenile duo in KDFW Pool 2
Although his three Breeders’ Cup runners didn’t crack the trifecta on Future Stars Friday, Good Magic’s terrific start to his stallion career has warranted a stud fee hike.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 21, 2022
Jason looks to the week ahead as well as discusses the passing of longtime handicapper Dave Litfin and the changing guard of public handicapping.
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Why Do Jockeys Ride Like That?
The race rider’s stance has gone from straight in the saddle to a balanced squat over the withers, a change that started with one legendary jockey and was soon adopted worldwide. This month’s Science of Horse Racing examines both how this change came about and why this demanding position works for both horse and rider.
Education
A desire to pay off gambling debts may have been behind the tampering with some horses in the 1990s.
True Crime in Horse Racing: Small Sponges, Big Problems
As racetracks wrestled with questions about security and access, everyone from fans to owners grappled with the idea that someone was hurting horses on purpose. Who was harming horses and why?
History