Belmont Park: The Grade I, $1 million Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles #1 Frac Daddy: Hit-or-miss type was a decent second to fellow entrant Overanalyze in a painfully slow GI Arkansas Derby, then was 16th in the Kentucky Derby in his last, so he’ll need a massive form reversal to factor. McPeek charge will…
With no Triple Crown on the line in this year’s Belmont Stakes, we don’t need to worry about rooting for history and we can focus on making money. The race isn’t called the test of the champion for nothing: the winner will have to have the stamina to run a mile and a half, longer…
Tomorrow at Belmont Park, graded stakes step aside to make way for a day of New York-bred racing. Seven stakes races offering combined purses of $850,000 will be headlined by the first running of the $150,000 Commentator, named in honor of the New York-bred who won the Whitney Handicap in 2005 and 2008. In 2003,…
Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay doesn’t have a horse running in this year’s Belmont Stakes, but next Thursday night, he’ll join his two passions—food and horse racing—to support two major racing charities. Each year, the Jockey Club, which is the breed registry for Thoroughbred racing, holds the official Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration, to be held this year…
On Sunday afternoon, a bouquet of roses lay outside barn 20 on the Belmont backstretch, their colors nearly matching the red paint on the sign identifying the barn as the home of the Phipps Stable. The bouquet wasn’t quite as imposing as the blanket of roses that had been presented the day before, its meaning…
I’ve spent much of the last 24 hours writing Belmont Stakes wrap-up posts: one for Forbes on the financial success of the day, one for BelmontStakes.com on what a Belmont without I’ll Have Another might have felt like, recaps of undercard stakes races and a feature on John Velazquez for Thoroughbred Times. I am blessed…
Once again, Brian Nadeau of Horseplayer Now has taken us from January to June, offering insight and analysis on every significant race on the road to and through the Triple Crown. Many, many thanks to him for all of his contributions, and I hope that he–and you–cash a big one. Good luck and safe trips…
This spring, I’ve had the unbelievable opportunity to dream plausibly about seeing two personal sporting milestones in person: the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals and a 12th Triple Crown winner. We know how the first one turned out. And now, the day before the second, I’m not so sure I want to see it.…
What do Himalayan art, supporting backstretch workers, and research to improve horse health have in common? All are a part of this year’s Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration, taking place Thursday night, June 7, at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan. The New York Racing Association Inc. and The Jockey Club will host this year’s…
Since Doug O’Neill, I’ll Have Another, and Lava Man arrived on the Belmont backstretch, they have not lacked for visitors. Writers, photographers, fans, and visitors have flocked to their barn, and by all accounts, O’Neill has been an affable and friendly host, handling the crush with aplomb. Last week, Team O’Neill welcomed the children of…
Brooklyn Backstretch 