The Maryland Jockey Club unveiled the 2010 Preakness logo Sept. 17. The middle leg of the Triple Crown, a $1 million race at 1 3/16 mile, will be run May 15 at Pimilco.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
It appears the Louisiana (gr. II) and Florida (gr. I) Derbies will be run on the same day in 2010.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
All-sources handle for the recently-concluded 64-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet decreased 13.9% from 2008 totals, in contrast with industry-wide decreases of 16.9% in June, and 10.5% through the first six months of 2009 compared to 2008 figures. Incessant rain throughout the meet resulted in 77 races taken off the turf and many more turf races which could not be carded.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) will continue to thrive at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. It's the rest of the year that's a problem for racing venues in the self-proclaimed "horse capital of the world."
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Ed Seigenfeld will step down as executive vice president of Triple Crown Productions (TCP) at the end of August. He has led the organization since March 1990, overseeing the Chrysler and Visa sponsorships of the Triple Crown and managing the network television negotiations for the series.
Monday, July 06, 2009
It was a bird that won the June 6 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, but it was not Mine That Bird but rather Summer Bird that won the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
We tend to always knock weathermen, but they have been spot on with their predictions for Belmont week. The day before the final leg of the Triple Crown, as predicted, was as miserable as it gets, but race day itself, again as prognosticators said it would, dawned bright and beautiful.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
The history of the track at Belmont Park is that is dries out quickly. According to the latest forecast, it will have about 17 hours to do so prior to the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Friday, June 05, 2009
Nothing seems to faze Mine That Bird, and lately, nothing seems to faze his trainer, Chip Woolley, either. There is a reason.
Friday, June 05, 2009
After working Mine That Bird June 1 at Churchill Downs, jockey Calvin Borel "guaranteed" that the gelded son of Birdstone would win the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Believe it or not, Borel is now even more confident.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Jerry Hollendorfer has 135 horses in training at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California, but he has been making regular trips east the past month to keep tabs on the "big" horse in the stable, Chocolate Candy.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
ESPN and ABC will offer seven hours of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) coverage starting at noon ET--including ABC's two-hour race broadcast June 6 at 5 p.m.--as jockey Calvin Borel attempts to complete an unprecedented personal Triple Crown.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
With firm knowledge that the Preakness (gr. I)-winning filly Rachel Alexandra would pass on a possible run in the third jewel of the Triple Crown, trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. and jockey Calvin Borel are both enthusiastically looking forward to the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and a bid to take two-thirds of the crown with Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
There was a quote from D. Wayne Lukas in Saturday's New York Post suggesting the distances of the Triple Crown races be changed to 1 1/8 miles, 1 3/16 miles, and 1 1/4 miles. Lukas said, "Nobody cares about mile and a half horses any more."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
With all the rain recently in Kentucky, and with a minor business matter requiring him to be out of town over the weekend, Calvin Borel had an important project to finish before leaving town. The morning of May 15 he was mowing his grass.
Friday, May 15, 2009
As you handicap this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), you better ask yourself not only who can get a mile and a quarter, but who can do so on an off track.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Hull, a recent late nomination to the Triple Crown, remained undefeated on April 2 with a 7 3/4-length allowance win at Turfway Park. He covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.21 in his second career race.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Two of the last three Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winners came out of the Florida Derby (gr. I), and based on the talent that will go to post in this year's edition of Gulfstream Park's signature event, it would not be surprising to see a third go on to wear the roses.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Delaware Park is the latest racetrack to seek accreditation in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Godolphin Racing duo of Desert Party and Regal Ransom finished first and second Feb. 12 in the Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-III) at Nad al Sheba in Dubai as both colts continued on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins its 11th year when the first of its three betting pools opens Feb. 12. And for the 11th time with the first pool, the mutuel field, or "all others," is the morning line betting favorite.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Following a record 450 nominations to the 2007 Triple Crown and a near record 449 in 2008, the number has decreased to 401 in 2009.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Larry Jones might have one of the top Kentucky Derby (gr. I) hopefuls this year, and he plans to bring the horse to Arkansas.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Nominations for the 2009 Triple Crown of racing the 135th Kentucky Derby (gr. I), 134th Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and 141st Belmont Stakes (gr. I) are being taken from horsemen with promising for 3-year-olds.
Monday, January 05, 2009
The owners and trainer of 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes (both gr. I) winner Afleet Alex will be honored at the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's annual gala celebration, the Lemon Ball Jan. 17, 2009.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Trainer Rick Dutrow's initial displeasure over Kent Desormeaux's ride aboard Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr.I) had abated quite a bit the morning of June 11, after he met with the Hall of Fame jockey. Dutrow said Desormeaux, who eased Big Brown at the top of the stretch in the Belmont, would have the mount when the colt races again.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Nick Zito, New York's favorite son, shuts the door on another Triple Crown bid, this time beating Big Brown with Da' Tara.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Big Brown's downfall in the Belmont came in his training regimen.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Trainer Steve Asmussen was none too pleased with the 128-pound impost assigned to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin for his expected bid in the June 14 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs. Still, after a half-mile breeze in :49 seconds by the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner June 9, Asmussen indicated the horse would start in the 1 1/8-mile event.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
United Parcel Service's sponsorship of Big Brown's bid for the Triple Crown produced more than $6 million in overall exposure value, according to the Michigan-based sponsorship research company Joyce Julius & Associates.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
One day after Big Brown was eased in his attempt to win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and the Triple Crown as the 3-10 favorite, one of his co-owners said there is nothing physically wrong with the Boundary colt.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Slightly more than 12 hours after saddling Da' Tara to an upset victory in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Nick Zito was back at his barn at Belmont Park the morning of June 8 to oversee his stable.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The New York Racing Association reported that 94,476 were on hand under sunny skies on a sweltering day at Belmont Park June 7 to witness yet another Triple Crown upset, with longshot Da' Tara going wire to wire in the 140th Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The victory ended heavily favored Big Brown's attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
The world awaited a delivery from Big Brown, but in a shocker it was 38-1 longshot Da' Tara who won the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), taking the "Test of the Champion" in wire-to-wire fashion June 7 as the horse seeking to win the Triple Crown was eased past the wire.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Kent Desormeaux will not wear the Hooters patch on his pants when he rides Big Brown postward in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The New York Racing Association refused to approve the endorsement deal June 6, citing a "conflict of interest" between Belmont Park sponsors, which include UPS and NetJets.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
History making performance. Defining moment. Greatness personified in the Thoroughbred. Will it happen today?
Saturday, June 07, 2008
As of early Friday evening, Casino Drive remains in the 10-horse field for Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay patched the quarter crack in Big Brown's left front hoof June 6.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Big Brown hit the track June 6 for his final gallop before looking to make history in tomorrow's $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr.I). After the harrowing break at 8:45 a.m., Big Brown, with exercise rider Michelle Nevin aboard, galloped nearly the circumference of the 1 1/2-mile Belmont oval.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Big Brown hit the track June 6 for his final gallop before looking to make history in tomorrow's $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr.I). After the harrowing break at 8:45 a.m., Big Brown, with exercise rider Michelle Nevin aboard, galloped nearly the circumference of the 1 1/2-mile Belmont oval.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Casino Drive, the second choice in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), did not go to the track Friday because of a problem with his left hind foot. His connections believe it might be a minor stone bruise. He has not been scratched from the race, in which Big Brown will attempt to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner.
Friday, June 06, 2008
When Kent Desormeaux heads to the starting gate aboard Big Brown in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), viewers won't see the lone UPS logo that was prominently placed on the jockey's pants in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I). Instead, Desormeaux will bear not only the UPS symbol, but also Hooters' orange logo, as the popular restaurant chain represtented by an owl peering through the "OO" in its name becomes his second official sponsor.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
William K. (Bill) Warren Jr., has a unique perspective of this year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He knows what it's like to have a top horse trained by Rick Dutrow. Not only that, but to have a top horse trained by Dutrow that has foot problems.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Northlands Park in Alberta, Canada, will host three riders from Legends on Tour during the track's historic Canadian Derby weekend, it was announced June 4.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
There is a chance Big Brown may have to do something he has never done before if he is to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
When the pills were pulled June 4 at Belmont Park, Big Brown drew the rail in the post position draw for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) from the outside post position. If he is to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner, he will have to win the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) from the inside post position.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The loss of the 2004 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) by Smarty Jones still plays in Stewart Elliott's mind, especially around this time of year. He thinks of the pressure going into that race, remembering the media frenzy and build-up of public recognition.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Icabad Crane's connections had faith in him at least hitting the board in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico, and their intuitions were proved right when the son of Jump Start finished a game 5 3/4 lengths in third behind Big Brown.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
As talented and physically imposing a presence as Triple Crown contender Big Brown is, trainer Rick Dutrow seems just as impressed by the colt's personality and intelligence.
Friday, May 30, 2008
