When you think about super-trainers, you might think Todd Pletcher. You might think Chad Brown. You might think Bob Baffert. You probably wouldn’t think Jonathan Sheppard. But get the Pennsylvania-based trainer talked about his racing operation, and you might change your mind. Continue reading at The Racing Biz… Featured image: Photo credit NYRA/Adam Coglianese
Just about a year ago, on Saturday, Aug. 3, this city, in partnership with Saratoga Race Course, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first Thoroughbred meet here, the culmination of years of planning and a nearly year-long series of festivities. Another anniversary, ignored but no less significant, will take place this Saturday. On Aug. 2,…
The winner’s circle at Saratoga Race Course is familiar territory for Thoroughbred owner Paul Saylor. He’s been there with his Grade 1 winning filly Fleet Indian, with a hard-knocking claimer named Phil the Grip, and with his champion Ashado, who will next month be inducted into Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame. Later today, though, he’ll…
When Ramon Dominguez retired from racing last year, the reigning three-time Eclipse Award winner for outstanding jockey, one of the lines most frequently said in tribute to him was, “He’s a great rider, but he’s an even better human being.” That characterization was no surprise to the Belmont Child Care Association (on whose board I…
Aside from a lightning-struck tree and a couple of deluge-filled days, we’ve been blessed with perfect weather so far (please tell me I didn’t just jinx it?) and treated to some terrific racing. After last weekend’s stakes race, Jimmy Jerkens finds himself with two possible Travers Contenders, as his V.E. Day took the Curlin and…
The sign isn’t hanging on barn 5 in Clare Court at Saratoga Race Course this summer; there’s no sign there at all, no one resident that’s claimed the spot that for so many years housed Allen Jerkens and his horses. The sign is at Gulfstream Park this summer for the first time, the summer meeting…
Beer cans popped open. The pages of The Daily Racing Form rustled. A voice boomed through the loudspeakers, accompanying the replays of the previous day’s races. And in the near distance, the whirling turnstiles at Saratoga Race Course clattered rhythmically, admitting some patrons only once, but others — those who came to spin, not to…
In the brief, five-year history of the Curlin Stakes, two trainers have already won the Curlin-Jim Dandy double: Anthony Dutrow in 2010 and Todd Pletcher in 2011. After V.E. Day won the Curlin at Saratoga Race Course on Friday afternoon, Jimmy Jerkens hopes to be the third. Already a major player on the three-year-old scene…
The Dutrow stable is tucked into a shady corner of Horse Haven, not far from where racing began in Saratoga in 1863, on a farm near what would become the Oklahoma training track. A sign with a big red D emblazoned on a field of black adorns the side; horses and humans walk under the…
The first dark day is in the books, and we’ve got another gorgeous day at Saratoga on tap. Week 1 featured great racing, beautiful weather, and encouraging handle and attendance numbers. Here’s hoping for more of the same as we kick off Week 2… Wednesday, July 23 At the track… Early post time of 12:25;…
Brooklyn Backstretch 