The $12 million Dubai World Cup, one of the world’s richest horse races, became the latest sporting casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic when organizers canceled the race and the rest of Saturday’s card. That card at Meydan Racecourse forms the world’s richest race day, one featuring $35 million in purses […]
Tag: horse racing
Full Field, Equal Talent Means Betting Opportunities in Louisiana Derby
When it comes to A-list 3-year-old talent, this year’s Louisiana Derby is an example of a race that is an inch deep and a mile – actually 1 3/16 miles – wide. It’s a Kentucky Derby prep featuring 14 solid, but heretofore unspectacular, horses all in search of a breakout […]
Aqueduct Park Closes After Backstretch Worker Tests Positive for Coronavirus
In the latest COVID-19-related news to hit the horse racing community, officials closed Aqueduct Racetrack in New York until further notice after a backstretch worker tested positive Thursday morning for the coronavirus. The unidentified worker, who lives and works in nearby Belmont Park, has been quarantined. He developed symptoms on […]
Golden Slipper, Richest Race for 2-Year-Olds, a Go in Australia
While the rest of the world postpones or cancels races due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s almost business as usual for horse racing in Australia. The $3.5 million (A) Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney is all set to run on Friday, albeit in front of an […]
Jockey Club Reports Horse Fatalities at Lowest Point in a Decade
The incidences of horse fatalities at American thoroughbred racetracks are now at their lowest point in a decade, according to statistics compiled by the Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database (EID). The 2019 rate of fatal injuries to horses is at its lowest number since the EID began collecting data in […]
Will the Kentucky Derby Be Canceled for the First Time in History?
World wars, great depressions and countless global calamities have never stopped the Kentucky Derby, going all the way back to 1875. Only once, in 1945, was the Derby delayed, from May until June. Now, with only seven weeks until the 2020 Run for the Roses and the coronavirus pandemic shutting […]
Which Speedster Can Lock Up Kentucky at the Rebel Stakes in Arkansas?
Like its Santa Anita counterpart, last weekend’s San Felipe, the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas is a Grade 2 Kentucky Derby prep race that boasts predictability, a blueblood pedigree of winners, and the ever-present Bob Baffert. The Rebel, a 1 1/16-mile, two-turn test, is Saturday’s lone Derby prep […]
Last Sport Standing? Horse Racing and Betting Continues, Just Not In Person
From a betting standpoint, the coronavirus outbreak that has canceled or suspended events across the sporting spectrum means America’s horse racing tracks are some of the few venues with action available to punters. Provided you have a remote betting account or betting app. Due to the threat of coronavirus and […]
Fallout from Horse Doping Scandal Moves Maximum Security to Baffert’s Barn
Federal authorities indicted 27 horsemen on Monday for using performance-enhancing drugs on thoroughbreds. The horse doping charges are shaking up barns throughout racing, with the biggest tremor involving Jason Servis, who just last week won the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup, the richest purse in racing, with Maximum Security, his […]
Undefeated San Felipe Favorite Authentic Finds Unorthodox Ways to Win
He is the offspring of Into Mischief, which probably explains why San Felipe Stakes favorite Authentic found himself causing trouble in his last Kentucky Derby prep race. It was in January’s Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita — the same track Authentic will tackle Saturday as the 8/5 favorite […]
Baffert Duo of Authentic, Thousand Words = Picture-Perfect San Felipe Stakes Opportunity
As horse races go, the San Felipe Stakes is as predictable as the second ring of a phone. Santa Anita horseplayers and Bob Baffertologists – those who follow the Hall-of-Fame trainer and his endless barn of 3-year-old Kentucky Derby contenders – lie in wait for this race every year. And […]
Tiger Roll Favored to Win Unprecedented Third Straight Grand National Race
Tiger Roll could make history next month at Aintree, as the Irish-bred horse attempts to win his third straight Grand National. The 10-year-old Tiger Roll currently stands as the 5/1 favorite to win the world’s most prestigious National Hunt race, according to William Hill, after earning the title in both […]
Gift Box Seeks To Unwrap Second Consecutive Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is a race that rewards the complete package in a horse, which is why it presents an opening for Gift Box to find the winner’s circle. After vanquishing McKinzie with one of the best stretch duels of any 2019 race in last year’s edition, Gift Box […]
Sole Volante, Chance It Renew Rivalry at Tampa Bay Derby
Up until last week, the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby looked to be the sole province of Sole Volante. The Sam F. Davis Stakes winner was more than a prohibitive favorite. He was the only horse anyone was talking about in the Kentucky Derby prep. That changed last week when […]
Despite Trainer’s Caution, Ete Indien Joins Favorites on Kentucky Derby Futures Board
Ete Indien woke up in his Gulfstream Park barn Sunday morning as the new Kentucky Derby points leader. But his trainer isn’t sure he’ll even compete in this year’s Run for the Roses. Ete Indien captured 50 derby points on Saturday at the Fountain of Youth with an impressive 8½-length […]
Chance It Riding Wave of Momentum into Tampa Bay Chasing Derby Points
The chance for a better post draw brought Chance It to town for Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby. And the chance of a lifetime brought trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. to the cusp of qualifying for the Kentucky Derby — something he’s angled for since arriving in the US from Barbados in […]
Fountain of Youth Favorite Dennis’ Moment Disappoints on Derby Trail
Dale Romans was puzzled. Nothing he trained Dennis’ Moment for at Saturday’s Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park was supposed to play out like this. And unlike past mishaps, Dennis’ Moment’s start was good, his tactics were fine, and jockey Flavien Prat was turning in his usual solid, intelligent ride. […]
Will Cheltenham Festival Be Canceled Due to Coronavirus Threat?
The global-wide Coronavirus has infected the horse racing markets in Great Britain with news that two Gloucestershire residents have contracted the virus ahead of the annual Cheltenham Festival, scheduled to begin March 10. Betfair is now taking action on Cheltenham Festival races being canceled, with odds shortening from 5/2 to […]
Process of Elimination Makes Maximum Security a Safe Bet in Saudi Cup
The easiest way to look at Saturday’s Saudi Cup is to go back to your old test days. Remember when your teacher told you to eliminate the wrong answers and, eventually, you’d arrive at the right one? Not only does this work for geometry and history, it also works for […]
Maximum Security Seeks Redemption in $20 Million Saudi Cup
Maximum Security had a year most owners and trainers would run with, culminating in his coronation as the year’s 3-year-old Male Eclipse Award Champion. But everyone who saw Maximum Security run knew he didn’t get the maximum out of his considerable talent. That considerable talent, more than anything he did […]