Paul Volponi

Conquistador Cielo, Holy Bull Took Flight in Met Mile

Three-year-olds Conquistador Cielo and Holy Bull defeated older horses in their memorable editions of the Metropolitan Handicap (G1).

Celestine Seeks Title Defense in Just a Game

By Paul Volponi
June 7, 2017

The daughter of Scat Daddy was purchased last year by Moyglare Stud Farm for $2.55 million at the Keenland November breeding stock sale, and is now trained by Christophe Clement.

West Coast Invades Easy Goer for Baffert

Two starts back, the 3-year-old son of Flatter missed by a neck to Belmont Stakes (G1) contender Senior Investment in the April 15 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) after drawing clear in the stretch.

CASA Farm-bred Curalina Faces Phipps Rivals

By Paul Volponi
June 8, 2016
Thoroughbred Racing, Thoroughbred Breeding, Northeast Region, Kentucky

Curalina joins Stopchargingmaria, Sheer Drama, Cavorting, and others in a short but strong field June 11 at Belmont Park.

True North Stakes Has Rich History

By Paul Volponi
June 6, 2016
Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The $250,000 True North Stakes (gr. II), to be run June 11 as part of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) program, has quietly become one of the nation's premier stakes sprints with a rich history of speedy, talented, and memorable winners.

Triple Crown Tales: A Horse Named Sue

By Paul Volponi
June 5, 2015
Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown, Northeast Region

Long before Olympic gold-medalist Bruce Jenner transformed into Caitlyn Jenner, for a brief period of time in the late-summer of 1976, future undefeated Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew was mistakenly identified.

Rival Jockeys Have Visions of Beating Chrome

By Paul Volponi
June 6, 2014
Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown, Northeast Region

"Most likely (California Chrome) will be in front of us early on," said Rajiv Maragh, rider of Wicked Strong. "...We'll have to go by in the stretch. I've had a couple of dreams the last few nights that I pass him.

Migliore Says Belmont Pitfalls Await Espinoza

By Paul Volponi
May 27, 2014
Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown, Northeast Region

Victor Espinoza has been a model of consistency aboard California Chrome, but Belmont Park presents unique challenges during the running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), said NYRA analyst and retired rider Richard Migliore.

Angel Cordero's Last Ride (blog)

By Paul Volponi
January 11, 2012

John Velazquez and his mentor Angel Cordero Jr. were involved in a terrible on-track accident 20 years ago that finished Cordero's Hall of Fame career. read blog

Belmont Park Race Report: Sight to See

Sightseek shows her class over a wet surface with a runaway win in the Ogden Phipps Handicap.

Aqueduct Race Report: Coyote Catches Fox

By Paul Volponi
December 28, 2002
Thoroughbred Racing

Coyote Lakes wins the marathon Gallant Fox Handicap for the third time in a row.

Volponi (the Writer) on Volponi (the Horse)

By Paul Volponi
October 29, 2002

By Paul Volponi -- Paul Volponi, a New York-based correspondent for The Blood-Horse, recalls his meeting with P. G. Johnson and how a Classic winning horse was named for him.

Volponi (the Writer) on Volponi (the Horse)

By Paul Volponi
October 29, 2002
Breeders' Cup

By Paul Volponi -- Paul Volponi, a New York-based correspondent for The Blood-Horse, recalls his meeting with P. G. Johnson and how a Classic winning horse was named for him.