“Originally this race was run over the memorable six-furlong straight course at Morris Park, then the newest and most elaborate of Metropolitan racing plants—which was a bit down grade and for that reason nicknamed the “toboggan slide”. (sic) (Hervey) As racing historian John Hervey notes above, the name of the Toboggan has nothing to do…
On this weekend when a “New York” Super Bowl will be played in New Jersey, it seems only fitting that a race named for a man whose racing life was based in the Garden State will be run at Aqueduct. David Withers got his start in New York and lived here for most of his…
Brian Nadeau of Horseplayer Now offers his regular analysis of the 2014 road to the Kentucky Derby with a look at the Grade III, $250,000 Withers on Saturday at Aqueduct at 1 1/6 miles. #1 Uncle Sigh: Romping New York-bred MSW winner sure looked good when stretching to two turns last time in a breakthrough…
Frisky Cat’s mother wasn’t much of a racehorse, but his sire, Tale of the Cat, was a multiple graded stakes winner, as was his damsire, Dynaformer. It seemed reasonable to expect that Frisky Cat, foaled in 2009, might be a moderate success on the racetrack. But, not infrequently, even horses with good bloodlines don’t find…
On Jan. 18, Ken and Sarah Ramsey collected their second leading owner Eclipse Award, and their first for leading breeder. They won for their first Eclipse Award in 2004, when Kitten’s Joy was named Champion Male Turf Horse, and it’s not too much of a stretch to say that the Ramseys’ most recent awards belong…
Gulfstream Park: The Grade II, $400,000 Holy Bull at 1 1/16 miles Brian Nadeau #1 Coup De Grace: Undefeated Brown runner has made waves in his two starts and gets the proverbial acid test today in this deep GII as he tries to join the Triple Crown trail. Tactical son of Tapit drew perfectly for…
How do you handicap a horse race? It depends on whom you ask. In Esquire TV’s new reality series Horseplayers, viewers will see both traditional and unorthodox approaches to wagering as cameras follow seven men trying to qualify for the National Handicapping Tournament, held next week in Las Vegas. Team Rotondo will show viewers the tried-and-true. Peter…
Forbes 400’s B. Wayne Hughes took home an Eclipse Award for the second straight year when Thoroughbred racing’s highest honors were handed out at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 18. Bred in Kentucky by Clarkland Farm, Hughes’ Beholder wrapped up the three-year-old filly championship when she won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Park on…
The sport of horse racing is the only instance where the participation of blacks stopped almost completely while the sport itself continued—a sad commentary on American life…Isaac Murphy, so highly admired during his time for his skills and character, would have been ashamed of his sport. –Arthur Ashe, quoted by Edward Hotaling in They’re Off!…
I was remiss in not welcoming back Brian to Brooklyn Backstretch when I posted his Lecomte analysis last week, so here’s a belated but no less hearty welcome to the man who’s been checking out the Derby preps for Brooklyn Backstretch since 2009. Brian handicaps regularly at Horseplayer Now and appears on Capital OTB TV in…
Brooklyn Backstretch 