“Saratoga to-day is as full of transient visitors as a hive is of bees just before swarming time.” (New York Times, August 8, 1865) To get to Saratoga, Red Smith famously said, go to exit 14 of the Northway, turn left on Union Avenue, and go back 100 years. Though speaking of the racetrack, the…
It was standing room only in the Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Racing last night; I arrived about ten minutes before the 7:00 start time, and Museum staff were scurrying to find extra chairs to bring in. Last evening’s guests at the annual Saratoga meeting preview were NYRA president Charlie Hayward; racing…
In some ways, my weekend trip to Woodbine was ill-timed: the opening of Saratoga in two days leaves too little time to discuss Woodbine in the detail it deserves; I couldn’t stay for Sunday’s Nijinsky, featuring local favorite Rahy’s Attorney; and it poured nearly constantly on Saturday afternoon, confining us to the indoors for most…
Today’s Belmont feature is the 93rd running of the venerable Coaching Club American Oaks. Though this Grade I race has undoubtedly lost some of its luster (true of so many of American’s great races), its history merits an acknowledgment of its notable runnings. It is the third leg of the Triple Tiara, won by such…
Yikes, is it really the last Saturday of the Belmont Spring meet? Where the heck did the time go? We close with the traditional send-off to Saratoga, the historic Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. We get a solid group of eight, and all of them seem to be able to win,…
On Wednesday morning, Ambassador Rubén Beltrán, Consul General of Mexico, paid a visit to Anna House. Many of the Anna House families hail from Mexico, and the Consul General came to see for himself the services of the Belmont Child Care Association, and to talk to backstretch families about how the consulate could be of…
One more week. One week from today, and Saratoga Racecourse opens for the 2009 racing season. I can’t wait. While far from in full high season fervor, Saratoga is buzzing—all over town, homeowners are busily emptying closets and drawers and cupboards, to prepare for the seasonal renters who are packing and sorting and asking themselves,…
So it’s been a July of suspensions: Steve Asmussen we know about; Rick Dutrow we’ve discussed; and last week Ramon Dominguez served three days for careless riding. Having been in the business for about a decade of assessing infractions and administering consequences, I note these cases with interest. I’ve helped to create discipline policy and…
Bits and pieces of news, in no particular order… Louisiana Downs race-caller Travis Stone, along with Mark Midland and Mike Shutty, have launched Horse Racing Nation, a “free, wiki community focused on racing information, insights and discussion for passionate horse racing fans.” According to the site, The “Nation” for the first time, provides a place…
It took a 47-1 shot in the finale to derail us last week, so maybe we’re getting closer to cashing. It’s a tough Saturday sequence but let’s have a look. –Brian Nadeau Race 7. $22,000 claimer for filly/mares 3-year-olds and up at 7 furlongs on the Widener turf. 1. Royal Vessel: Lightly raced filly makes…
Brooklyn Backstretch 