In its marketing for Rachel Alexandra’s appearance at Belmont Park later today, NYRA has made explicit use of the horse crush with its “Is She The One?” campaign. In my observations, the horse crush is largely a female phenomenon, but I do know a handful of people—men and women—who are travelling from out of town…
The return of the sensational filly Rachel Alexandra highlights a turf-laden Pk4 sequence. Though the Preakness winner essentially turns the sequence into a Pk3, the other three races are contentious enough that you might be able to get a few prices home. Let’s take a closer look. –by Brian Nadeau Race 7. $44,00 state-bred allowance…
I stopped paying attention to Michael Jackson a long time ago. The music was always there, and especially when the old songs came on, it was impossible to resist singing, tapping, dancing, but the weirdness, for me, overtook the music decades ago. So in June of 2005, I wasn’t paying much attention to his trial…
The racing gods had a mezzo mezzo day as far as we’re concerned here at Brooklyn Backstretch. Miss Saul “broke slowly and failed to reach a contending position,” but let’s hope that she learned something from her first start and will run better next time. As they are wont to do, however, the gods smiled…
This is not a great time to be a turf horse in New York. In the Daily Racing Form, Dave Grening notes that there hasn’t been a turf race at Belmont since June 17th, and I’m sure that Steve Grodsky, owner of Miss Saul, would be happy to verify that. Miss Saul is a four…
For better or worse (and it appears mostly better), New York racing has been in the news a lot over the last week or so. In no particular order: –Charles Hayward appeared in Saratoga last week to discuss various elements of the upcoming racing season. In what will be welcome news to many, there will…
Let’s take a look at Belmont’s guaranteed $350,000 Pk4 on Saturday. I’ll give some analysis on each race and then throw out a ticket at the end (with a maximum of $48). Please note that horses are listed with their betting number. –Brian Nadeau Race 7. $17,000 claimer (claiming price $7,500). 3-year-olds and up at…
“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…
Brooklyn Backstretch 