Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: West Saratoga

Tue Sep 19 2023J. Keeler Johnson

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.
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Citation

Sun Sep 03 2023Jennifer Kelly

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.
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Assault

Wed Aug 02 2023Jennifer Kelly

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.
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Count Fleet

Fri Jul 07 2023Jennifer Kelly

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.
Hanson: England gets its Triple Crown right, why can't we?

Tue Jun 27 2023Vance Hanson

The drumbeats and clamoring for changes in spacing between the three Triple Crown events has gotten noticeably louder in recent weeks, the result of a disturbing trend this year in which there was little continuity in field composition.
2023 Belmont Stakes winner: Arcangelo (7-1) wins the 155th Belmont Stakes

Sun Jun 11 2023J. Keeler Johnson

Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a U.S. Triple Crown race when Arcangelo rallied up the rail under Javier Castellano to spring a 7-1 upset in the 2023 Belmont (G1) at Belmont Park.
2023 Belmont Stakes: Which horses are bred to handle the distance?

Sat Jun 10 2023J. Keeler Johnson

Which horses in the 2023 Belmont (G1) field are most likely to handle the 1 1/2-mile distance? We’ve ranked the top five based on their breeding.
Historical trends against National Treasure winning second classic in Belmont

Wed Jun 07 2023Vance Hanson

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.
Made for Hollywood: Secretariat and the 1973 Belmont Stakes

Fri Jun 02 2023Vance Hanson

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.
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Whirlaway

Fri Jun 02 2023Jennifer Kelly

Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown winner, ignited the imaginations of those along for the ride on the cusp of war in 1941.
2023 Preakness Stakes winner: National Treasure (5-2) wins the 148th Preakness

Sun May 21 2023J. Keeler Johnson

A slow pace in a small field helped National Treasure spring a gate-to-wire upset in the 148th Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.
Preakness: The best longshot to bet is Perform

Sat May 20 2023J. Keeler Johnson

If you’re a longshot player hoping to catch an upset in the second leg of the Triple Crown, there’s a viable option to pursue.
Preakness: Which new shooters can beat Mage?

Sat May 20 2023J. Keeler Johnson

If Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage is going to add Saturday’s $1.25 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico to his roster of victories, he’ll have to defeat seven new shooters who skipped the Derby.