Earlier this week, Steve Zorn of The Business of Racing suggested that I write about horses who have been named after hockey players. “Excellent idea!” I thought. He referred to Alex Kovalev and Zubov (two of the first four Russians to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup. Who can name the other two…
“I’d rather have this than a Rangers’ win.” So said Rick Schosberg following Giant Moon’s win in the Grade III Excelsior on April 4th at Aqueduct. And shortly after Giant Moon finished last in his turf début at Belmont and the Rangers had blown a 3-1 series lead over the Washington Capitals to lose in…
As I headed to Florida in March, I filled a bag with books, many more, I knew, that I would actually read. (One of the benefits of driving everywhere is that there are no luggage fees or limits. I can overpack to my heart’s content.) Racing books and beach books and literary books—and I’ve been…
Graduation was Thursday night; Commentator and Naughty New Yorker were running; Ernie was playing; and it was the 2009 kick-off of twilight racing—who needed more reasons to head out to Belmont on Friday afternoon? The racing highlight of the day came early, in the five-horse Kashatreya Stakes, placed third on the card. Commentor was making…
The Ogden Phipps Handicap – Grade I — $300,000 – 1 1/16 miles – Fillies and mares –by Brian NadeauFormerly known as the Hempstead Handicap, the Phipps has for years been one of the most important stops on the calendar for the best females in training. Run at a one-turn 1 1/16-mile distance, it often…
We used to love to read the balanced reporting that Brooklyn BackstretchBlogposted…. but then a NYRA press pass was issued and nary a critical wordabout NY racing has been posted since…We have dropped that blog ad (sic) takenup with Left at the Gate. This comment was posted several months ago at the excellent Pull the…
The last few weeks have been pretty good ones for Anna House, with a steady stream of visitors stopping by to visit the children and to see in action the good work of the Belmont Child Care Association. A few weeks ago, Kiaran McLaughlin stopped by to have lunch with the children. McLaughlin and Edgar…
Some of my favorite moments from Belmont ’09, in pictures… The fabulous Fabulous Strike in the post parade… …and winning… …in this time, over a “good” track…which became “fast” moments after this race was official…. Diamondrella… …followed by Forever Together, which made my exacta pay much better than the other way around… Munnings is flying,…
“Happy birthday to you…happy birthday to you…” Thus began the Saturday evening press conference with the connections of Belmont winner Summer Bird, as jockey Kent Desormeaux entered, serenading trainer Tim Ice. Desormeaux’s high spirits were understandable: after five unsuccessful attempts at a Belmont win, including two aboard Triple Crown contenders, he had finally broken through…
It’s hard not to consider New York’s premier day of racing an unqualified success. Handle was unimaginably impressive; the place was packed with happy people enjoying a day at the races; Summer Bird, Tim Ice, and Kent Desormeaux provide terrific storylines and a satisfying ending to the Triple Crown season; and all the horses and…
Brooklyn Backstretch 