Brian’s Derby Preps: The Illinois Derby

Thanks for the comments on the re-design and the site, and the remarks on the size of the print are duly noted. I’m working on making it a little bigger. As someone who’s become a full-time wearer of reading glasses in the last year, I’m an ally of big type! And thanks to Carol Cusano,…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Wood Memorial

With three preps this weekend, we’ll space out the analysis, starting today with Brian’s look at the Wood Memorial. Don’t forget that you can check out Brian’s handicapping for NYRA races at horseplayernow.com. He’ll also be participating in “Countdown to the Crown” live chats every Friday at 2 pm, accessible from the main page of…

Tuesday morning quick picks

A quick Tuesday check-in from the girl who cried wolf about the website renovation…it’s in progress, and one of these days, if the technology gods are on our side, Brooklyn Backstretch will have a brand new look. Until then, on we forge… This week’s Road to the Roses charity league standings are below. And a…

Following the Fine Money

That first race on Sunday at Aqueduct was slated to be a good one: an allowance optional claiming affair, horses trained by, among others, Rick Violette, Kiaran McLaughlin, and Bruce Levine, running for a $50,000 tag and a $44,000 purse. Of all the Sunday first races at Aqueduct in 2010, this one was arguably the…

Florida Follies

It takes exactly 13 hours to drive from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina to Gulfstream Park. In case you were wondering. It’s 3:00 on Friday afternoon and I rejoice at my luck. Spring break has begun; I am in my car; and I’m going to beat rush hour traffic. I am disappointed that the new date…