Tag: Vanderbilt Stakes

Early Voting worked out at Saratoga last week in preparation for Saturday's Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes, the fourth race on this week's Cross Country Pick 5. (Image: Coglianese Photos/Janet Garaguso)

Jackie’s Warrior, Zandon, Early Voting Head Cross Country Pick 5

The return of Jackie’s Warrior to Saratoga and the return of Triple Crown veterans to the track highlight this week’s Cross Country Pick 5. This week’s Cross Country Pick 5 is light on the stakes. Only two make this week’s wager: the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes and the […]

At 34/1, Lexitonian kicked clear of Special Reserve in deep stretch to win the Grade 1 Vanderbilt last month. The sprinter seeks an encore in Saturday's Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga. (Image: Chelsea Durand/NYRA)

New Grade 1 Champ Lexitonian Seeking Validation in the Forego Stakes

After a career-best, out-of-the-clouds performance, what does Lexitonian do for an encore? How will the enigmatic sprinter follow up his Vanderbilt victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga? And is it possible? Can the 5-year-old sprinter go one better than his best? The Forego is one of six […]

Mischevious Alex won his first Grade 1 with this 5 1/4-length blowout in the Carter Handicap in April. He is the 2/1 favorite to win his second at Saturday's Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga. (Image: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)

Watch the Blue-Blooded Sprinting Talent Clash in the Vanderbilt

The Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes gives you the venerable Whitmore, the ubiquitous Firenze Fire, and the dynamic Mischevious Alex. Enough sprinting talent to throw in a trifecta box at, say, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint this fall at Del Mar. Except that, a few hours after Saratoga turns that […]

The temperamental Whitmore in one of his more gentle moments, right after he and Irad Ortiz Jr. won the Breeders' Cup Sprint last November at Keeneland.(Image: Coady Photography)

Temperamental, Cranky Champion Whitmore Returns to Saratoga

Whitmore is the equine version of your cranky uncle; the one who tells the great stories when he’s not telling the neighborhood kids to get off his lawn. And while this creates a special brand of headache for trainer Ron Moquett, it also comes with built-in aspirin for those headaches. […]

Standout sprinter Volatile retired Monday after a leg injury. His July victory here in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt marked his sixth and final race. (Image: Erica Miller)
Volatile

Star Sprinter Volatile Retires to Stud After Breaking Bone

Volatile, the standout sprinter who set records on numerous tracks, broke a bone in his leg Monday and immediately retired from racing. Considered the top sprinter in America, Volatile suffered a hairline fracture of his right front cannon bone. The injury, while not life-threatening, ends Volatile’s dynamic racing career and […]

Whitmore won his third Count Fleet Sprint Handicap in four years in April. He goes for his 15th career win and second Grade 1 in Saturday's Alfred Vanderbilt Stakes. (Image: Richard Rasmussen/Hot Springs Sentinel-Record)

Whitmore Shows the Youngsters How This Sprinting Game Works

Usually, horses of Whitmore’s age are working in the breeding shed or are retired. They’re not doing morning workouts. Usually, horses with 14 career wins are … well, rarely do horses with this portfolio get to 14 career wins. But here is Whitmore, a 7-year-old gelding, seeking career win No. […]