After the first stakes race at Belmont Park on Monday, owner Michael Dubb reflected on winning the Mount Vernon with a New York-bred mare out of a New York-based stallion. “I go to the New York-bred dinner every April, and there’s a real camaraderie,” he said. “It’s a family.” As it does each spring, Belmont…
I went to Aqueduct for the first time on January 29, 2005. That was the first year that I followed horse racing year-round, and after nearly seven years in Brooklyn, I had yet to visit the only extant track in New York City. I was drawn to the Big A that freezing day not by…
John Hertler and Akindale Farm go back a long way together. Akindale’s John Hettinger was one of Hertler’s first clients when the trainer went out on his own in the late 70’s, after working for Hall of Fame trainer P.G. Johnson for 14 years, during which time Hettinger had horses with Johnson. “I was Mr.…
New York’s stars were on display at Belmont on Saturday. The weather was beautiful, the atmosphere festive, the backyard crowded. And the horses didn’t disappoint. Early in the card, Flying Zee Stable took two races. The racing operation of the late Carl Lizza, Flying Zee’s dispersal begins this week at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale,…
It rained on Belmont Day. It was cloudy on Travers Day. It rained on Jockey Club Gold Cup day. But this Saturday is New York Showcase day, and it looks like we’re going to get perfect autumn weather on the day that to me embodies fall racing in New York. If we’re lucky, the trees…
How do I love thee, New York Showcase Day? Let me count the ways! Tomorrow at Belmont Park is all about New York, on and off the track. And having spent all but 10 years of my life here, I am rather an unabashed cheerleader for all things Empire State. (OK, maybe not all things.…
The final Saturday of racing at Belmont came to an end with both bangs and whimpers. The whimpers were weather-related, and after the uncountable number of grey, damp days at Belmont, going back to last year’s fall meet, those who grumbled about yet another soggy day at Big Sandy might be forgiven for their grumpiness.…
With New York-bred Showcase Day on tap for Saturday we’ll bypass the Pick4 handicapping and instead give a brief preview of the card, which came up, as always, balanced and competitive on a great day that helps support New York-bred racing. Race 1: LIVING FOR THIS just missed at this level in his last and…
There were happy people all over Belmont on Saturday afternoon. The sun in the backyard was warm, the leaves were turning, and a crowd of nearly 7,000 turned out to celebrate New York racing and autumn. Picnics were set up, kids ran everywhere, and the folks who turned out accepted with alacrity the various promotions…
Welcome to NY Showcase Day! Ten races for NY breds, a celebration of NY products; what a shame that this New Yorker will be wending her way home from points south and missing the whole day. Race 3: The Sleepy Hollow Stakes. Many of today’s races follow the longstanding tradition of naming races after regions…
Brooklyn Backstretch 