Maximum Security winning the Haskell Invitational (G1) - © Bill Denver/Equi-Photo Slowly but surely the top contenders for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita are sorting themselves out. The Haskell Invitational (G1) and the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) served to clarify aspects of the 3-year-old division, while a quartet of top-ranked older runners will square off in the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, a race that will surely shake up the division [...]
We look back at the weekend racing action including the Haskell Day/Night card, Sunday at Saratoga, discuss all the cancellations and news from the weekend, and more!
Preservationist winning the Suburban Stakes (G2) - © NYRA/Coglianese Photography/Susie Raisher When was the last time we were four months out from the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the division lacked anything resembling a clear-cut group of top contenders? This year’s Classic division is among the most wide-open in recent memory, thanks to an inconclusive Triple Crown season and a lack of standout older males. The Classic contenders have not been running particularly fast on the Beyer speed [...]
We look back at a huge Saturday night card at Churchill Downs which included the Stephen Foster, Elate winning the Fleur de Lis, and more. We also talk about the Poker Stakes at Belmont and Maximum Security's return to the races at Monmouth Park.
Maximum Security wins Florida Derby (Coglianese Photos) With the disappointment of his Kentucky Derby (G1) disqualification still looming large, Maximum Security will aim to start the summer of his 3-year-old campaign on a bright note when he contests the June 16 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park. Gary and Mary West’s star colt is one of six runners entered in the 1 1/16-mile event, which serves as a local springboard to the July 20 Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth. [...]
Maximum Security and Country House battle to the wire in the Kentucky Derby (G1) - Coady Photography The rules are simple. Sweep all three legs of the Triple Crown, and you will be named champion 3-year-old male at the Eclipse Awards. Win two of the three races and you’d have to really mess up the second half of the season to lose the title. But when three different horses win the three Triple Crown races, it’s anyone’s guess [...]
Thunder Snow winning the 2018 Dubai World Cup (G1) - Coady Photography A busy Saturday of racing at Belmont Park on Belmont Stakes Day saw a handful of contenders for the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) enhance their résumés. Others faltered under the bright lights and will have to rebound this summer. No clear favorite has emerged for the 1 1/4-mile race Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes [...]
Bricks and Mortar winning the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) - Coady Photography Don’t look now, but the 2019 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park is just more than five months away, and the first North American leg of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series kicks off this weekend. Handicappers will be happy to know several key Breeders’ Cup divisions look wide open this year, which should make the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races exciting and competitive. Let’s quickly [...]
