Yikes, is it really the last Saturday of the Belmont Spring meet? Where the heck did the time go? We close with the traditional send-off to Saratoga, the historic Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. We get a solid group of eight, and all of them seem to be able to win,…
On Wednesday morning, Ambassador Rubén Beltrán, Consul General of Mexico, paid a visit to Anna House. Many of the Anna House families hail from Mexico, and the Consul General came to see for himself the services of the Belmont Child Care Association, and to talk to backstretch families about how the consulate could be of…
One more week. One week from today, and Saratoga Racecourse opens for the 2009 racing season. I can’t wait. While far from in full high season fervor, Saratoga is buzzing—all over town, homeowners are busily emptying closets and drawers and cupboards, to prepare for the seasonal renters who are packing and sorting and asking themselves,…
So it’s been a July of suspensions: Steve Asmussen we know about; Rick Dutrow we’ve discussed; and last week Ramon Dominguez served three days for careless riding. Having been in the business for about a decade of assessing infractions and administering consequences, I note these cases with interest. I’ve helped to create discipline policy and…
It took a 47-1 shot in the finale to derail us last week, so maybe we’re getting closer to cashing. It’s a tough Saturday sequence but let’s have a look. –Brian Nadeau Race 7. $22,000 claimer for filly/mares 3-year-olds and up at 7 furlongs on the Widener turf. 1. Royal Vessel: Lightly raced filly makes…
On Travers morning, the gates at Saratoga open at 7 am, several hours earlier than usual, in order to allow the expected crowd to jam in, secure picnic tables, and while away the time until first post. NYRA entertains us by showing, on the TV screens throughout the track, the runnings of the Travers that…
So I arrive at downtown law firm to take care of a little business; I’ve never been there, I don’t know this firm, and I figure that I’ll be waiting a while, so I’ve brought a book, The Buccaneers, an unfinished novel by Edith Wharton. I open the novel in the waiting room, and read…
May your day be full of boules, good wine, French cuisine, and revolutionary spirit. The Francophile in me is honoring the holiday by doing a little historical digging on appropriately-named horses—at least before the Champagne and Provencal rosé are broken out. The chestnut colt Bastille was born in 1918 and, according to Pedigree Query, won…
In no particular order, racing bits that have recently amused me: Day of the Kitten at Belmont on Friday afternoon—and race 4 had “hunch bets” written all over it for me: three Kitten’s Joy offspring (Raise the Kitty, Lisa’s Kitten, Jill’s Kitten) and an Afleet Alex filly. Unfortunately, they were all blown off the track…
The Grade I Man o’ War leads off Saturday’s tough Pk4 sequence. You better have your turf handicapping shoes on for this one. Enjoy and good luck! –Brian Nadeau Please note horses are preceded by their betting number. 7th. The $500,000 Grade I Man O’ War for 3-year-olds and up. 1 3/8 miles on the…
Brooklyn Backstretch 