After two days off due to concerns about the track conditions, Aqueduct is up and running today. With both Aqueduct and Santa Anita off yesterday, it’s no surprise that Tampa Bay had its fifth largest handle ever. And as glad as I am to see racing return to my fair city, I must confess that…
With snow days at Aqueduct yesterday and today, I turned my attention—briefly—to today’s Gulfstream entries, in anticipation of spending the afternoon in a New York City OTB restaurant, having lunch and watching the races–because really, God forbid that I spend a Saturday away from the races? I rather feel as though I’m fraternizing with the…
The path to the Santa Anita Derby continues this weekend in California with the 9-furlong Sham Stakes. A competitive field of 10 meets the starter and though the race is lacking any true star power, the winner is sure to have a say in the meet’s Grade I centerpiece in April. Let’s take a look.…
Every once in a while on a Wednesday morning, the Sports Curmudgeon, alter ego of NPR commentator and sportswriter Frank Deford, makes an appearance on Morning Edition; more regularly, he appears on his own website, grousing about whatever has struck—er, smacked?—his fancy. This week, I feel like the racing curmudgeon. As you might have noticed,…
The first weekend of the Road to the Roses Derby fantasy game is in the books, and below are the standings for the Brooklyn Backstretch charity league. Take a good look at me there in the top 10, because I’ll be dropping like a stone any time now. 1 Bourbon Bliss Barn 1 HoosYourDaddy 3…
Saturday’s feature at Aqueduct was the Rare Treat, named for the “hard hitting filly” owned by George D. Widener who raced in the 1950’s. For a horse with “rare” in her name, she sure hit the track a lot, running 101 times for a record of 16 victories, 20 seconds, and 14 thirds. Her eponymous…
The Derby Trail heads to Oaklawn Park in a contentious, intriguing and delayed renewal of the Southwest Stakes. California shippers look to test their mettle on real dirt; the locals get to prove that they’re not just the kings of their own block; Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds send a few in for a shot…
The road to the Florida Derby picks up steam with the Fountain of Youth Stakes, which was restored to a 9-furlong, two-turn route this year. Buddy’s Saint, who tops many a Derby Future Book, makes his 3yo debut and faces a deep and contentious cast that looks to throw their hat in the ring. Let’s…
The path to the Louisiana Derby continues as Ron The Greek tries to prove that his LeComte upset was no fluke. In his way are some new shooters and new shippers who look to take their own place on the Derby Trail. With $300,000 on the line, the top-3 finishers will gain some important graded…
Some notes on organizations near and dear to Backstretch hearts, a couple of which are offering upcoming social opportunities for New Yorkers. Local hockey fans might be interested to hear that Ice Hockey in Harlem, an organization with which I used to volunteer, is taking the opportunity of Olympic hockey to hold a fundraiser. On…
Brooklyn Backstretch 