I think it’s awfully nice when school holidays coincide with Keeneland racing; it’s even better when it happens in October, when part of the journey involves wending through the West Virginia and Maryland mountains as fall foliage explodes in color. So at the end of yet another Backstretch road trip (24 hours in the car,…
Saturday, November 24th, 2007, was a pretty good day for trainer Bill Mott. He swept the two-year-old stakes that day at Aqueduct when Court Vision overcame an inquiry to win the Grade II Remsen; a race earlier, his Mushka had rallied from last to win the Grade II Demoiselle. Yesterday, one might have wondered whether…
Familial and travel commitments mean that Brian’s Pick 4 preview is on hiatus this week, but fortunately for us, we’ve got his preview of the two-year-old stakes at Belmont. The Grade I, $440,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies at 1-mile.1. Annie’s Melody: Enters off just a 5 ½-furlong maiden win at Monmouth over seven weeks ago,…
Noah built the ark when it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, and thus Lent, a time of sacrifice, is 40 days. In the Bible, 40 days symbolizes deprivation, meditation, transformation. But for those who worship at the altar of racing, 40 days is now nothing…
We’re jumping ahead a few days with a look at this weekend’s racing; an evening school event on Thursday followed by a departure for opening weekend at Keeneland might mean that posting will be light as we head towards the weekend, so I look forward to—and back at—the Champagne. First run in 1867, the race…
Some follow-ups from the weekend: An entirely accidental series of clicks led me to the following information about Pappy’s Double H. Pappy’s Double H was named in honor of Charles R. Wood by his daughter Charlene.Charlie Wood was co-founder with Paul Newman of the Double H Ranch a Hole inthe Wall Gang Camp for critically…
Is it just me, or do the skies have an unerring tendency to open up just before a big stakes race? The first raindrops on Saturday fell with about 15 minutes to post before the Beldame. It rained off and on through the late afternoon, actually ceasing for a bit at times, but just as…
My favorite day of the year. What used to be known as Breeders’ Cup preview day now has five Grade I races that always have major implications on both the Breeders’ Cup and the championship picture. If you’re anywhere near Belmont, it’s well worth making the trip over, not only to see some world-class racing…
In 2009, Rachel Alexandra became at least the fourth three-year-old filly to beat older males when she won the Woodward at Saratoga, an accomplishment that in the minds of many cemented her claim to Horse of the Year honors. That victory provided the opportunity to recall Twilight Tear and Busher, three-year-old fillies who also beat older…
Out of town guests; a family event; a bout of food poisoning; and a domestic disaster have all conspired since late last week to keep me away from the races and away from the keyboard, despite any number of interesting events in the racing world. Those who read the articles that I wrote for the…
Brooklyn Backstretch 