There is no sound more exciting to the racetrack customer than the trenchant, nasal exclamation of “They’re off!” by Fred Capossela. With this brief expression, the New York track announcer sums up the promise of clamorous jockeys, flailing whips and eager-to-race horses springing from the starting gate. (Tuite) Capossela was NYRA’s track announcer for 37…
Little movement in the Brooklyn Backstretch Road to the Roses Charity League, given the little action over the last couple of weeks, but a few league members have changed positions, so here are this week’s standings: 1 Bourbon Bliss Barn1 HoosYourDaddy3 Chestnut Bay Stable3 Jenny’s Picks5 Matador6 Brooklyn Backstretch7 Kelso’s Kennel7 Dream On Stable9 SaratogaSpa110…
Not for the first time, the British invaded New York Saturday afternoon. But this time, they emerged the victors. Awesome Act was awesome indeed. His trainer believed he could do it, and so did the betting public who made Awesome Act the 5/2 favorite in yesterday’s Gotham Stakes. The faith—and investment—of both parties was rewarded…
The path to the Santa Anita Derby continues this weekend in California with the 9-furlong Sham Stakes, which was initially scheduled for last Saturday but canceled due to torrential rains. A competitive field of 10 meets the starter and though the race is lacking any true star power, the winner is sure to have a…
Brian’s back this week with a look at tomorrow’s Gotham at Aqueduct. If your thoughts are on the West Coast, you can check out his preview of the pre-re-scheduled Sham. And if you’ve got any Gotham or Sham runners in your Road to the Roses stable, don’t forget to activate power horses before tomorrow’s deadline.…
Nearly daily since last summer, some element of the behavior of Zenyatta, Rachel Alexander Alexandra, John Shirreffs, Steve Asmussen, the Mosses and/or Jess Jackson has been the subject of some article, some blog post, some Twitter comment. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the connections and the horses are superstars of the sport, and in our…
I was recently given the opportunity by the Daily Racing Form to investigate Thoroughbred retirement in New York State; the article was published on the DRF website last Friday and in the print edition of the paper on Sunday. In researching the aricle, I was able to speak to people who respresented various elements of…
On yesterday’s post, Alan Mann of Left at the Gate left a compelling comment on about NHL players going to the Olympics in Sochi in 2014—I can’t argue with his points. And as I responded then, all the more reason for us to savor the hockey that these Olympics gave us. No matter who you…
After two days off due to concerns about the track conditions, Aqueduct is up and running today. With both Aqueduct and Santa Anita off yesterday, it’s no surprise that Tampa Bay had its fifth largest handle ever. And as glad as I am to see racing return to my fair city, I must confess that…
With snow days at Aqueduct yesterday and today, I turned my attention—briefly—to today’s Gulfstream entries, in anticipation of spending the afternoon in a New York City OTB restaurant, having lunch and watching the races–because really, God forbid that I spend a Saturday away from the races? I rather feel as though I’m fraternizing with the…
Brooklyn Backstretch 