The path to racing history doesn’t always run smoothly, as I unfortunately discovered earlier this week; technical difficulties at the Times website left me feeling like Tantalus, able to see the objects of my desire (articles on George Widener’s Rare Treat), but not able to touch them. Tantalus, though, didn’t have Facebook, so he couldn’t go…
Brian’s back with a look at tomorrow’s Derby prep, and over the weekend he’ll provide insights on Sunday’s and Monday’s races as well. We’ll launch the Brooklyn Backstretch charity league next week, after this weekend’s preps. The first scoring race is February 26th, and I’m waiting until the last possible moment to put my (inevitably…
Not exactly looking like the summer place to be these days, but it’s only 157 days until opening day…and it might just take every last one of them to get rid of the snow… As always, click to enlarge… The Oklahoma… And the main track… The lake…but no canoe… And maybe the saddest sight of…
In honor of the holiday, Brooklyn Backstretch is offering a little racing love this fine Monday morning: A quick check of Pedigree Query reveals that… …there have been five horses named Marry Me, three female, two male; a 1975 colt was by Bold Reason out of the The Bride; a 1996 GB-bred cold was by…
Travers Statue at the Wishing Well, decked out in Gainesway colors, for Afleet Express’s victory August 28, 2010 February 12, 2011
Santa Anita – The Grade II, $250,000 Robert B. Lewis at 1 1/8 miles #1 Wegner (ML unavailable): Recent MSW graduate goes out for Baffert, so you know he’s probably got some talent, but at this juncture it appears he’s biting off a bit more than he can chew; pace factor is worth remembering down…
Tampa Bay Downs – The Grade III, $225,000 Sam F. Davis at 1 1/16 miles #1 Reprized Halo (20-1): Calder-based runner drew well and has a plethora of two-turn experience, including a shocker in the pricey In Reality for Florida-breds, but this is asking a lot for his 3yo debut; longshot. #2 Adulare (12-1): Improved…
On Thursday, NYRA announced that beginning tonight, Aqueduct and the Belmont Café will stay open until approximately 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Those who decide to hang out will be able to wager on Penn National Race Course, Turfway Park, Delta Downs Racetrack, Charles Town Races, and Sam Houston Race Park. I can’t decide…
Groundhog Day was last week and according to the rodents, spring is right around the corner. But who needs a woodchuck to tell us that, when we’ve got Saturday racing cards at Aqueduct? David Grening in Daily Racing Form tells us that beginning this week, the Big A will offer 10 races every Saturday. Woo-hoo!…
Last Thursday night, Gelf Magazine celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Varsity Letters series. Monthly, the magazine hosts an evening of readings by sports writers of all stripes, boasting such alums as Joe Drape of The New York Times, Will Leitch of New York magazine and founder of Deadspin, and Amy Nelson of ESPN. The…
Brooklyn Backstretch 