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…
Beautiful Belmont Park lived up to its name on Saturday—absolutely gorgeous late summer weather here, and while the sun-deprived apron and seats were chilly, the backyard and paddock areas were bathed in sunshine and plenty warm enough. We added layers to watch the races, and shed them to go to the paddock. Race 4 was…
Race 7: $23,000 claimer for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf (N2L). 1. Live On The Edge: Seems like the logical next step for a runner that just broke his maiden over claimers at the Spa. Faces a much tougher group today, but several in here have shown they aren’t…
Some of my favorite moments from Belmont ’09, in pictures… The fabulous Fabulous Strike in the post parade… …and winning… …in this time, over a “good” track…which became “fast” moments after this race was official…. Diamondrella… …followed by Forever Together, which made my exacta pay much better than the other way around… Munnings is flying,…
“Happy birthday to you…happy birthday to you…” Thus began the Saturday evening press conference with the connections of Belmont winner Summer Bird, as jockey Kent Desormeaux entered, serenading trainer Tim Ice. Desormeaux’s high spirits were understandable: after five unsuccessful attempts at a Belmont win, including two aboard Triple Crown contenders, he had finally broken through…
It’s hard not to consider New York’s premier day of racing an unqualified success. Handle was unimaginably impressive; the place was packed with happy people enjoying a day at the races; Summer Bird, Tim Ice, and Kent Desormeaux provide terrific storylines and a satisfying ending to the Triple Crown season; and all the horses and…
I hit Brooklyn Thursday night at around 9:00 pm; four days of fun, food, and community service in Baltimore with our senior class had come to a monumentally successful end, and it was with a combination of fatigue, relief, and satisfaction that I swung off the Verrazano Bridge and headed north. The trip was over…
We’ve finally come to the end of the road. The Triple Crown trail, that is. The Belmont Stakes and one lap around the glorious main track of Belmont Park. There’s no Triple Crown on the line this year, no big bonus for the winner and no exciting rematch between the Derby winner Mine That Bird…
Brooklyn Backstretch 