Is it over?

Fans and employees of New York racing are breathing a little more easily this morning, as it appears that after years of discussion, negotiation, stalling, power plays (not the good kind, that take place on ice; the bad kind, that take place when egos and agendas collide), and overall embarrassment to the Empire State, the…

This I Believe

For the last couple of years, NPR has been running a series called “This I Believe,” in which listeners submit and read essays about their beliefs and values. I generally turn to sports radio when these segments come on; I am not much given to proclaiming my own beliefs, nor terribly inclined to listen to…

Just in time for Valentine’s Day…

I think—dare I say it—that I may be in love. I haven’t felt this way since 2004. Then, it was summer love: warm rains, summer breezes, cold beers and lemonade. Picnics, tank tops, flowers and trees in bloom. It was July 29th, and his name was Afleet Alex. Then, it was Saratoga; now, it’s Aqueduct…

Who needs stakes races?

My favorite Saturday races were allowances, one north, one south, featuring horses I’ve been watching for the last couple of months. The first was at Gulfstream, the third, featuring my oft-touted Saratoga Russell, who reverted to the form of his first race, wiring the field in sizzling fractions over a sloppy track to win by…

Saturday’s quick picks

Alan is right: you’ve got to check out the replay of Thursday’s eighth race at Aqueduct, Be Bullish’s must-be-seen-to-be-believed victory. Way back on September 22nd, Be Bullish caught my attention in a maiden race at Belmont, which he won after crashing his way through horses on the way to the wire. It was a bad…

Playing hooky, et al.

I want to skip school on Thursday and go to the races. I want to skip school on Thursday and go to the races, because the last time I was at the races on a Thursday was August 16th at Saratoga, and that’s just way too long ago. I want to skip school on Thursday…

Monday night quick picks

Our anonymous Saratoga Russell commenter makes another appearance, this time outing him/herself (at least a little) as a part owner. Mr./Ms. West Point, thanks for your updates, and keep ‘em coming. Sunday’s comment: “Saratoga Russell is training at Gulfstream. He ran a bullet 5 furlong yesterday. People who witnessed the breeze said that on paper,…

A day at Laurel

I’m beginning to think that maybe I’m never going to meet a racetrack that I don’t like. Oh, wait, there’s Gulfstream. Spent a delightful day at Laurel on Saturday, in the company of some Saratoga ex-pats who have moved to the DC area, of Railbird, and of an upstate friend who road-tripped with me to…