It’s been quite a summer for Barbara Banke and Stonestreet Farm. On opening day of the Saratoga meeting, they sent out their first 2012 Spa starter in the fifth race. Kauai Katie, named for Banke and Jess Jackson’s daughter who was recently married in Hawaii, won by 12 lengths. Since then, Stonestreet has started five…
Dark day #3 dawned gorgeous and clear, a perfect Saratoga morning. Ramon Dominguez still sits atop the jockey leaderboard with 26 wins; Javier Castellano is behind him with 17. Making an impressive return following an injury, John Velazquez has already won 12 races, despite not riding full-time at the beginning of the meet. Todd Pletcher…
Dormant for most of the year, the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds spring to life this week, in preparation for the yearling sales on August 6, 7, 11 and 12. Thoroughbred auctions have been held by Fasig-Tipton at Saratoga since 1917, and next week, sellers and buyers will gather, as they have for nearly a century, in…
Ten days down, thirty to go. I already feel as though there’s too much in Saratoga I won’t get to; the to-do list is getting longer, not shorter. Ramon Dominguez carries his lead in the jockey standings through week two; he’s got 21 wins with José Lezcano in second with 11. Anthony Dutrow led the…
The first four days of racing in the books, and the early leaders are jockey Ramon Dominguez and trainer Anthony Dutrow. Dominguez tied John Velazquez’s record for most winners on one card when he won six races on Sunday; he’s got 10 wins for the meet. Jose Lezcano’s in second place with six. Take a…
If you have any energy left after a day at the track, you’ll find no shortage of racing-related (and other) events at which to spend your time—and your money—on Saratoga evenings. Here’s the first in a series of weekly posts about what’s going on in Saratoga. Wednesday, July 18: The National Museum of Racing offers…
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…
Like many immigrants to this country, the men and women who work on the backstretch at our racetracks are often invisible. We see them walking horses to and from races, and we see them in winner’s circle photographs; we almost never learn their names or hear their voices. They are seldom profiled in turf publications.…
On May 3, the New York Times reported that the New York State Attorney General is suing the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, alleging financial mismanagement and neglect of the horses in its care. I have long been a supporter of the TRF and link to the organization several places on this site; in the summer of…
Brooklyn Backstretch 