In November 2011, Benjamín León went to Lexington, Kentucky to buy a racehorse. Not just any racehorse—he had his eye on one in particular, and he was, he said last weekend, determined to get her no matter what. He actually bought nine horses at the Keeneland November sale that year, spending $22.4 million on fillies…
Jim Rome’s “clones,” as his impassioned listeners are called, often don’t take kindly to when the radio and television sports-talk host brings up his racehorses, preferring to engage in conversation about more mainstream sports. They better prepare themselves for this week, because after Rome’s Mizdirection won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Saturday…
The last time the Breeders’ Cup was at Santa Anita, Zenyatta made history, becoming the first filly or mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Breeders’ Cup is back at Santa Anita this year, and tonight, HRTV will broadcast a 30-minute special about the mare, celebrating her career and the effect that she had…
Day two of the Breeders’ Cup kicks off at 2:50 ET Saturday with the $1 million Juvenile Turf; TV coverage begins at 3:30 pm ET on NBC Sports Network and switches to NBC at 8 pm ET for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. The eight Breeders’ Cup races on the Saturday card offer a…
The arguably two best betting days of the year are upon us, with the Breeders’ Cup on Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Full, competitive fields in 15 races offer the opportunity for big scores with a lower-than-usual investment, The races will be broadcast on Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm ET…
Saratoga Race Course closed nearly two months ago, and before long, the Oklahoma training track will be shuttered for the season as well. But in a sign that a commitment to racing never really leaves Saratoga, Druthers on Broadway will host a fundraiser to benefit Camp TLC this Saturday, in conjunction with this weekend’s Breeders’…
Two years ago, a yearling bay filly went through the sales ring at Keeneland. Her sire, Empire Maker, won the Florida Derby, Wood Memorial, and Belmont Stakes, and he finished second in the Kentucky Derby. Still, no one was much interested in the filly; bidding reached $22,000, less than her reserve, and she left the…
The last time Barry K. Schwartz, former CEO and co-founder of Calvin Klein Inc., won a Grade 1 race was in 1999. His trainer, Michael Hushion, had never won one. On Saturday at Belmont Park, Schwartz had two rooting and one betting interest in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Invitational Stakes. A three-year-old colt that he…
A year ago was Breeders’ Cup Friday; a month from today will be Breeders’ Cup Saturday. Like the BC or hate it, it’s inarguably a Racing Event, and whether you celebrate the gathering of world class talent or bemoan its effects on the racing calendar, you’ll be paying attention, particularly if you’ve got a…
On the Belmont backstretch on Monday morning, a blissful unawareness of the calendar might have led one to think that it was spring. Trainers, exercise riders, spectators—all gradually shed layers as the sun rose higher. “It’s HOT!” was overheard more than once. A lone horse trained on the turf course. But instead of the blue…
Brooklyn Backstretch 