For things to happen, there needs to be a catalyst. Without one, there is often no progress. As long as we can remember, horse racing’s Triple Crown consists of three races in a five-week span. It starts the first Saturday with the Kentucky Derby; two weeks later, it’s the Preakness Stakes; and then three...

What a glorious Kentucky Derby.  Despite the rain and sloppy track, that was about as clean and crisp a race that you will see. Yes, there were horses getting bumped, getting stopped, and getting boxed in, but with 19 horses, that’s a guarantee. All that said, the race was in a word–terrific.  A scintillating...

This year’s Kentucky Derby is fascinating for many reasons. First and foremost, is the return of trainer Bob Baffert. The two-time Triple Crown winner was banned from racing horses at Churchill Downs for the last three years (2022-2024), but after exhausting litigation, he is back. He will saddle two horses; the front running Rodriguez...

Kids usually struggle to sleep on Dec. 24. The excitement of seeing what Santa (or their parents) left under the tree is just too problematic to get good shut-eye. That’s what Kentucky Derby Eve is for me. For some reason, I can’t wait until the first Saturday in May gets here. Like a kid...

Buffalo Raceway concludes season, Batavia Downs opens Wednesday. It is over—for 2019.  The season at Buffalo Raceway, which began on Jan. 25 has concluded.  But, fear not.  If you live in Western New York, the same horses, same drivers and same trainers are heading east (about 45 miles) to Batavia Downs for its 2019...

It is here and this year, it arrives earlier than usual.  There once was a time when Saratoga Race Course raced 24 times per year and was advertised as “The August Place to Be.”  Over time, that became 30, then 36 and now with 40 dates, it is “The Summer Place to Be.” The...

As horse racing heads into its summer season, there are many questions.  We all know that the winter at Santa Anita was not a good one.  The national media took note of the 30 equine fatalities and forced the sport to take a good, hard look at itself.  The goal is simple—make the sport...

Here we go again.  Most of the time, horse rating is ignored by the national media.  There are exceptions, of course.  When an American Pharoah or Justify is running for Triple Crown glory, the national media converges; and, when that happens, the sport basks in the glow. There is the opposite side when negativity...

I asked, was denied, but look forward to meet! The NYRA.  They oversee three thoroughbred race tracks in New York—Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.  They offer the finest racing in the world and their 40-day meet at Saratoga remains a gem; a cross between aristocrats and commoners, a true potpourri of American society. I’m not...

Every year, they threaten to move the Preakness, but number 143 is here! We all agree that the Preakness may be the “funnest,” of the three Triple Crown races and there are several reasons why.  First, as six-time winning trainer Bob Baffert says, it is the most relaxed of the three races.  The tension...