Earlier this week, I was happy to announce the winner of this year’s Brooklyn Backstretch Road to the Roses charity league, and that one of the recipients of Matt Shifman’s donations is the Belmont Child Care Association, which oversees Anna House, the day care and education center located on the backstretch of Belmont Park. The…
Over the last week, I’ve had multiple opportunities to feel grateful. In addition to the everyday reasons to be appreciative, for family and friends and health, for a home and a job, I am grateful for having the chance to cover the Kentucky Derby, and grateful to be at Madison Square Garden last night for…
OK, folks, the prep races start this weekend, so here’s last call to join the Brooklyn Backstretch Road to the Roses charity league for 2012. This is the fifth year we’ve done this year, and as in past years, the winner of our league will have a donation made in his or her name to the…
It’s late afternoon on a February Saturday in Saratoga, and the sun is low in the sky; the temperature hovers just above freezing, and a chilling wind sweeps through the deserted shedrows of the Oklahoma training facility. There’s not a horse or a human in sight. Describing the scene as “desolate” would be charitable. But…
It’s that time of year…the Derby preps have begun, the first Derby future pool has closed…and the Road to the Roses fantasy league has kicked off its 2012 season. I’ve chosen my fantasy stable (feel free to look at it so that you’ll know which horses to avoid), and the Brooklyn Backstretch Charity League is…
In 2008, the Jockey Club announced a check-off program that would enable breeders and owners to contribute money towards Thoroughbred retirement with each horse that they registered. The program began on January 1, 2009. The registration form offers owner and breeders the opportunity to donate $25, $50, $75, $100 or an amount of their choice;…
On May 8, 1907, August Belmont gave a dance and cotillion in the Turf and Field Club at Belmont Park prior to that season’s racing. Supper was served at midnight; trains to bring guests home departed at 3 a.m. Belmont’s guests, I think it’s safe to say, enjoyed themselves, entertained as they were by a…
OK, nine days until Christmas. Eight shopping days. I hope, for your sake, that you’re a little further along in your holiday shopping than I am. But in case you’re not, and still in search of the perfect gift for the racing lover in your life, here are a few items you can pick up…
It might feel a little too soon to start thinking about the holidays, but when Christmas comes on December 10th, you’ve got to get started early. And this year, that’s when Christmas comes to the families of the backstretch, at the annual Anna House holiday party. Since 2002, the Belmont Child Care Association has held…
“Fleet Valid also jumped his first crossrails in the lesson! Go Fleet!” Scrolling through my timeline last month, I came across this tweet. Fleet Valid? Hm. Sounded familiar. And yes, a look at his past performances revealed that from November of 2007 to April of 2009, Fleet Valid made 12 appearances on the New York…
Brooklyn Backstretch 