Churchill Downs: The Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby at 1 ¼ miles #1 Ocho Ocho Ocho (50-1): Decided longshot was up against it even before they drew post positions and then was essentially eliminated when he drew the dreaded rail, which would have compromised even the best’s chances. Son of Derby winner Street Sense…
At the close of the second Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in March 2008, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club, underwriters and hosts for the event, released eight recommendations, developed by the working groups that participated in that summit held in Lexington, Kentucky. Recommendation #7 reads: “Find solutions for unwanted…
Racing fans that pulled the Kentucky Derby/Preakness infield double were treated on both days to stupendously beautiful weather, a range of high- and low-end hospitality offerings (and behavior), and terrific racing. Preakness infield denizens were treated to concerts by Lorde and a handful of other musical acts, but if the Churchill Downs infield crowd didn’t…
So began a 1949 New York Times article by Arthur Daley on the passing of Matt Winn. The article was called “The Passing of a Legend,” and what he “made” is the Kentucky Derby. Matt Winn, a racing impresario if ever there was one, worked at a dozen or more tracks in his life, but this Louisville…
We’re a little more than 24 hours away from the big race, and while John Perotti has accumulated a daunting number of points at the top of our charity league leaderboard, the 525 points on the line at Churchill mean that an awful lot of of players still have a chance win the league and the $1800 charity…
By tomorrow, the 20 horses expected to start in the Kentucky Derby this Saturday will be on the grounds, as will the hopeful few on the also-eligible list, who will make it into the starting gate in the event of any defections later in the week. Late scratches are not uncommon: In 2009, 2010, and…
Last summer at Saratoga, a turf writing veteran – male – called me over to a TV in the press box. “Have you seen this?” he asked. Seen what? He gestured to the television, rendered practically speechless by what he was seeing. And in the comments below, reader Walt steered me to a Calder collection…
Seeing the pictures of the tornado damage at Churchill in no way prepared me for seeing the wreckage in person. The backstretch and the nearby neighborhood were studies in contrast: incredible destruction juxtaposed with pristine completeness. The tornado apparently made its way down the backstretch like an unruly two-year-old, leaping and touching down unpredictably and…
Monday morning, April 19th: It’s been quiet for a little while, but at about 8:25, the stirrings begin. The clockers resume their places: binoculars are raised, stopwatches poised. After a morning of commonplace workouts—oh, except for that bullet that Rachel Alexandra fired at 6:30—the Churchill Downs track is about to become something of a private playground. Under…
Brooklyn Backstretch 