It’s a poorly-kept secret that reality television is in fact only partially that—situations and conflicts are contrived to create maximum drama and ultimate titillation, to make viewers return to see where the ugliness ends. It was something of a relief, then, that the first two episodes of Jockeys were not characterized by the manufactured antagonisms…
I haven’t seen Jockeys; I haven’t checked race results; I’ve no idea whether the Pick 6 at Aqueduct was hit or whether any cat horses have won, or even raced, in the last few days. A much-welcomed international visitor, a quick trip out of town, and an unequivocally fun reunion have me waking this Monday…
“Whirlaway in action was more impressive than Whirlaway on his record, however, as the colt lost several times through bearing out, dawdling at the start, or other foolishness; when he finally made up his mind to run, he could turn it on, and it was agreed that he would be harder to beat at longer…
Photo credit: New York Rangers We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for our occasional dose of hockey, specifically the retiring of Adam Graves’ #9 last night at the Garden. Gravy, as he was known to his teammates and the Garden faithful, wore Rangers blue for ten years, coming to New York during the 1991 –…
The Belmont Child Care Association has set an industry standard and occupies a unique place in the racing world: located on the backstretch of Belmont Park, the BCCA offers very low cost child care to the children of the backstretch workers, opening at 5 am 365 days a year. It is the only such child…
As predicted last week, the Derby prep re-runs have begun on the OTB channel, so if between now and the middle of April you miss any, just tune in to channel 71 and before too long, you’ll be able to recite the race calls along with the track announcers. Here we go… I feel a…
I am intrigued by this race horse, born in 1888, owned by J.A. and A.H. Morris (of the Morris Park track in the Bronx). She’s got a race named after her, to be run today at Aqueduct, and Pedigree Query calls her “the best sprint mare of her day.” But Pedigree Query’s usually extensive race…
Bless me, readers, for I have sinned. Nothing, unfortunately, along the titillating lines of St. Augustine…but my Catholic upbringing does, on occasion, lead me to unburden that which is weighing on my soul. I can only hope that you will find my sins venial as opposed to mortal, and assign me penance and grant me…
Sitting home, Monday night, not watching the Eclipse Awards because Time Warner Cable in Brooklyn doesn’t offer TVG, not even for a price, and because I live in a co-op, a satellite dish is a non-starter. Thanks to Ray Paulick, though, I’m keeping up. I follow racing on the New York City OTB racing channel,…
An avowed fan of winter racing in New York, I’ve frequently mentioned (including yesterday) that while I understand the logic of a few months off, I’d really miss the opportunity to trek out to the Big A in the depths of winter. That was before yesterday, when it seemed impossible to get—and stay—warm if one…
Brooklyn Backstretch 