Horse Racing Blog Posts

Breeders Cup weekend - will it answer questions or create them

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:00:21 EST

Breeders Cup weekend started yesterday with an incredible performance in the Marathon. The gritty 9 year old Cloudy's Knight loped to the lead coming out of the turn and looked to be a winner until Man of Iron loomed on the inside. Coming out of the turn it shows what this weekend is all about. Both horses dug down for every ounce of energy they had and it took a photo to separate them. Perhaps Cloudy's Knight didn't see the challenger in time but the gutsy old guy fought back not giving up and driving back desperately.

Yesterday was "ladies day" with features that included some of the top fillies. We saw the two year old She Be Wild get the Breders Cup Juvenile fillies while Midday captured the Filly & Mare Turf. Some said the Ladies Classic would be less than normal without Zenyatta, but such was not the case. Careless Jewell opened up to roll away from the field but couldn't hold on. Her strides shortened on the turn and in the stretch Life is Sweet romped to the front opened up by daylight - awesome race.

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The Thoroughbred World Loses Legends

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:13:43 EDT

It's been a tough month for champions in the TB world. As mentioned in a previous post Gone West was lost. The others are also major horses that have left fans reeling.

There's the loss, to a heart attack in his pasture, of popular sire El Prado of the 21st.

On the heels of hearing that was news of Summer Squall being euthanized due to age. Summer Squall chased Unbridled in one of the most memorable Derby races of all time. Summer Squall came back in the Preakness to the race that defined the gutsy race horse.

Sitting fourth down the backside Summer Squall put it in gear with Unbridled on the outside as they sat down for a drive and they collared the leader with Unbridled and Summer Squall head to head for several strides then drawing off to an impressive win.

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5 Top True Sports Movies

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:12:23 EDT

The best sports movies can vary. What sport you like makes a difference too! There's classics like Chariots of Fire and underrated like Prefontaine and can't miss Friday Night Lights. For the horse racing fan there are special movies too. The five best in my opinion are not only for the horses they represent but the larger than life story around them. In no particular order, check these out! ( MORE)

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Were Seeing History

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:07:33 EDT

Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward Stakes today in a smoking time of 1:48.1 holding off a hard charging Macho Again. She still has critics. She has won from coast to coast, at the top, against fillies, against 3 year olds, now against older horses. She has a perfect, unblemished season. She's been criticized she didn't "work for it" in some races - can't be said for the Woodward. There were several gunning for her waiting for a mistake from the three year old filly who dared tread outside her gender AND age! It's criticized she won't be at the Breeders Cup but it seems like unless something spectacular happens then she's done everything she needs to do for Horse of the Year, top 3 year old, top 3 year old filly and only Zenyatta arguably could stand between her and a clean sweep to best female running.

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Great Sports Moments in Horse Racing

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:36:58 EDT

Horse racing has some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. There are stories that are quite unlike other sports because the main players do not care about prize money or earnings and have no concept of retirement. The horses themselves either have the will to run and compete or they don't, and if they don't there is no amount of whipping that will make them be a champion.

In looking for the best moments in the sport several come to mind not only for the horses themselves but the people around them.

Continue HERE.

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Tips For Betting The Ponies

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:31:53 EDT

In the world of horse racing, many people chose to watch the races for the excitement. There are the novice horse wager, who will choose a horse to bet on, by their appearance. When it comes to the more seasoned veteran of horse gambling, they take an even broader approach to choosing a winning horse. Now there are those who look at just the winning horse, the top two, or the tri-vecta (top three).

There are several books on the market to help teach a “system” of betting on the results in horse racing. Then there are those who choose to create there own “system” that works for them.

When it comes to horse racing, there is no “sure-fire” way to pick the winning horse every time. To choose the horses that are more likely to win a race, there are several factors to consider. How did the horse perform in its last race, its last 5 races, its last 10 races, the jockey, the weather, the turf, etc. All of these factors come into play, when a person bets their “hard-earned” money on a horse race.

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top female thoroughbred athletes

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:21:57 EDT

"The best female athletes in horse racing warrant attention as much as the colts as in most cases the best challenged and beat the colts. Among the greatest fillies in the sport of horse racing is one that complete statistics can't be given and two that died doing what they were bred to do - run" (MORE HERE)

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Pioneer of The Nile retired Jade Hunter pensioned

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:34:24 EDT

A soft tissue injury has ended the career of Pioneer of the Nile. The son of Empire Maker won 4 straight graded stakes and was 2nd in the Derby.

From one of his races, the santa Anita Derby:

Also Jade Hunter, sire of Azeri, has been pensioned from stud duty. Those interested in visiting him may do so - he is at Old Friends.

As a stallion:

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What Baffert said

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:14:50 EDT

Of course the people who read this link are for increased revenue in the horse racing industry. Those who read these blogs partake of the fun, and some have a bigger interest.

So when Bob Baffert says we need to save horse racing in Kentucky because over 100,000 jobs are at stake, we ask if we are being selfish to agree.

In a word, "No". 100,000 is a lot of jobs, and when people Number One, who want to outlaw gambling say that these people Number Two can be retrained, the People Number One are not willing to retrain them. People Number One will not give them a chance. People Number One will not offer help or a solution.

Horse Racing is Entertainment. And it certainly can't be compared to killer industries like Tobacco, Firearms, and Alcohol, or even Motor Vehicles.

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Hostilities and critics

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:33:39 EDT

Rachel Alexandra had not even gotten to her stall when the critical comments began sizzling through the internet. She ruined the bid for the Triple Crown (kinda like Birdstone ended Smarty Jones') and how it'd be better for racing if Mine That Bird had won cause he won't be off to the breeding shed - he'll be around for fans to follow. She didn't deserve to be there. She hadn't beaten anything in the Oaks 'cause the good horses wouldn't run against her.

So in one breath there's criticism she hadn't had enough competition then in the next she stepped up where she had some and that was wrong! She's a legitimate filly. There is no guarantee Mine That Bird will run next year or later. Many fans are fickle - many stopped following Funny Cide once he was through the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown isn't supposed to be easy - that's why few achieve it and those who do are special.

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