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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.
Features
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.
Wagering
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.
Wagering
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.
Wagering
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.
Trends
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.
Features
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.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 2, 2023
Jason discusses using the new year as an opportunity to make some changes.
Racing
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.
Racing
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?
Analysis
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.
Features
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.
Features
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.
Racing
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.
Wagering
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.
Features
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?
Features
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)?
Kentucky Derby
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.
Racing
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.
Features
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.
Features
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?
Features
Fair Grounds racing trends
To get you prepared for the 2022-23 meet in Louisiana, we explore some of the top racing trends at Fair Grounds.
Trends
First-Crop Sires 2022: Promising Start for Mendelssohn
The first-season sire that readers voted for us to follow hasn’t let anyone down, producing a nice crop of horses that promise much for the future.
Features
Bolt d'Oro two-year-olds make mark on turf, overseas
Bolt d’Oro added six more winners to bring his total to 21 from 67 runners, with one of those victories coming in the Pilgrim S. (G2) at Belmont.
Features
Catching My Eye: Positive and negative notes from Churchill Downs Nov. 12-13
Racing analyst Kevin Kilroy takes a look at the positives and negatives he witnessed over the weekend at Churchill Downs.
Racing
Chop Chop among three early stakes winners for freshman sire City of Light
Since our first installment highlighting the first crop by City of Light, the freshman sire has been represented by an additional six winners, three of whom have won stakes.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Justify Heads the List
On all reasonable criteria, Justify has made a fantastic start as a sire.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 14, 2022
Jason looks back at the weekend and remembers longtime Washington State handicapper Victor "The Predictor" Cozzetti.
Racing
Catching My Eye: three things to take away from the 2022 Breeders' Cup
Three takeaways from last weekend: four-year-old equipment change for Todd Pletcher means something. Tyler Gaffalione is just getting started. Uncertainty around Cave Rock and Forte going forward.
Breeders Cup
Kentucky Derby takeaways from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
What can we take away from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as we head toward the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Thoughts for Nov. 10, 2022
Jason takes one last look back at the Breeders' Cup weekend and talks about Breeders' Cup winners going forward.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Reflections on the 2022 Breeders' Cup
With the 2022 Breeders' Cup now in the history books, the Racing Roundtable is back to reflect on the 39th edition of the series held at Keeneland last weekend.
Racing
Hanson: A case for Flightline's early retirement
While some racing fans are disappointed Flightline won't reappear on the racetrack, the "he has nothing more to prove" argument might be a sound one.
Breeders Cup
Flightline: The best since Secretariat?
One of the superlatives given to Flightline has almost been sacrilege: a genuine comparison to Secretariat.
Breeders Cup
Flightline's Breeders' Cup Classic on the clock
Flightline’s tour de force in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) was not only visually impressive. The unbeaten superstar delivered a performance of historical proportions on the clock as well.
Breeders Cup
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 7, 2022
Jason looks back at the Breeders' Cup weekend including the Betting Challenge tournament.
Breeders Cup
Flightline seeks new heights in Breeders' Cup Classic
Flightline will bring superstar billing to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), overpowering the competition in five career starts, but he’s yet to beat the best. That opportunity comes at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Breeders Cup
Kilroy previews 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic contenders
There’s only one thing standing in the way of this being the most white-knuckle, adrenaline-pumping, root-worthy Breeders’ Cup Classics of all time. And that’s Flightline.
Breeders Cup
Nest comes rolling into the Breeders' Cup Distaff
Following a second against males in June’s Belmont S. (G1), Nest stepped up with a series of stunning performances, winning the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Alabama (G1), and Beldame (G2) by a combined 26 1/4 lengths.
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 3, 2022
Jason gives some thoughts and picks for some of Saturday's Breeders' Cup races!
Features
Catching My Eye: Hot Keeneland jockeys
Wondering which jockeys were hot at the Keeneland fall meet? You should be. The turf and dirt courses were idiosyncratic, and the riders who figured it out in October will have an advantage this weekend in the Breeders’ Cup.
Racing
After the Racetrack: Finnick the Fierce finds his forever friend
With his racing days behind him, Finnick the Fierce has traded the racetrack for the trail, taking Jackie Barr on quite a journey in a short time.
Aftercare
Who were the founders of the Breeders' Cup and what legacy did they create?
On April 23, 1982, John Gaines made a surprise announcement at the Kentucky Derby Festival's "They're Off" luncheon, revealing his vision for an international racing event known today as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Breeders Cup
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 31, 2022
Jason talks about "state-bred season" as many states showcase their state-bred runners before the Breeders' Cup kicks off.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Oct. 27, 2022
Jason looks back at some of his favorite Breeders' Cup memories from over the years.
Racing
Breeders' Cup Juvenile trends on the Road to the Kentucky Derby
Below we look at the last nine Juvenile winners, plus where they placed in Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races that followed and how they performed along the Triple Crown trail.
Kentucky Derby
Golden Pal looks to match Beholder, Goldikova as three-time Breeders' Cup winners
Speed rules for Golden Pal, who led rivals gate-to-wire winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) the last two seasons, and the four-year-old seeks to become only the third horse to capture three Breeders’ Cup races when lining up for a title defense in the $1 million Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup trainer and jockey trends since 2017
Below we look at those trainers and jockeys who have been especially successful over the last five years, as we examine the top connections at the Breeders' Cup since 2017.
Breeders Cup
Jackie's Warrior pursues elusive Breeders' Cup win
Jackie’s Warrior has been a brilliant one-turn performer over the past three seasons, but the one distinction missing from a Hall of Fame-worthy resume is a Breeders’ Cup win.
Breeders Cup
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 24, 2022
Jason looks back at the weekend, including his visit to Remington Park and calling the races there.
Features
The Jury: Bets and fades for Oct. 22
A pair of three-year-old sprints at Keeneland, two graded turf events at Aqueduct, and the Maryland Million at Laurel highlight this Saturday's action.
Features
Breeders' Cup speed figure trends at Keeneland
To get you ready for Breeders' Cup weekend, let's look at the top speed figures in each of the 14 Grade 1 races based on the two previous World Championships held at Keeneland.
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for October 20, 2022
Jason discusses preparations for the Breeders' Cup two weeks out and asks "why do we change our play and prepare on big days?"
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: Track Surfaces
This month’s Science of Horse Racing considers the three types of surfaces and how weather and geography play into our understanding of how horses race over those tracks.
Education
True Crime in Horse Racing: What Happened to 'Red' McDaniel?
This month, True Crime in Horse Racing looks at the life of this California trainer and the mystery behind his tragic death.
Features
Racing Roundtable: Breeders' Cup contenders and favorites to fade
In this week's Racing Roundtable, James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Keeler Johnson discuss the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), 2022 champion jumper candidates, and Breeders' Cup favorites worth fading.
Breeders Cup
Catching My Eye: Keeneland Oct. 12-16
Leading into Breeders' Cup weekend, racing analyst Kevin Kilroy continues to keep an eye on track trends as well as individual performances at Keeneland.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 17, 2022
Jason looks back at the weekend, including Gina Romantica and her Grade 1 win, as well as her beginning her career at Tampa Bay Downs.
Racing
Kilroy previews 2022 Breeders' Cup Distaff contenders
What's in store for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1)? Pre-entries won't be announced until Oct. 24, but the likely runners are fierce.
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Oct. 13, 2022
Jason looks back at his visit to Sweetwater Downs in Wyoming.
Racing
The up and down history of the American Grand National
The American Grand National, which carries a purse of $250,000 and is contested over 2 5/8 miles, is the richest and most prestigious jumping event in the U.S.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Keeneland opening weekend
Leading into Breeders' Cup weekend, Kevin Kilroy will be keeping an eye on track trends as well as individual performances at Keeneland.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 10, 2022
Jason looks back at some of the stories from the weekend, including a huge upset in the world of harness racing.
Racing
Pedigree profile: Cave Rock
Speed is the greatest weapon a racehorse can possess. Stamina is equally dangerous as distances get longer. Combine speed with stamina, and you have the makings of an elite racehorse.
Pedigree
After the Racetrack: Underscore and Natalie Voss
This month’s After the Racetrack looks at the special relationship between Underscore, aka Blueberry, and his partner, the Paulick Report’s editor-in-chief, Natalie Voss.
Aftercare
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Blazing Sevens, Curly Jack win on Road to Kentucky Derby
By siring the winners of the first two scoring races on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby, Good Magic has surged to the lead in the freshman sire standings.
Racing