Archive for 2008

By Jude T. Feld 2007 George Woolfe Award-winning jockey Jon Court rides Tears I Cry at Kentucky Downs on SaturdayBenoit Photo From massive Belmont Park to undulating Kentucky Downs some great stakes action awaits players this afternoon. Weather could be a factor with showers in the forecast everywhere east of the Rockies, so check the […]

September 10, 2008 – “The only thing that grows in your hand is your putz.” Murray Seidner

By Jude T. Feld Sir Alfred J. Munnings painting “Parade to the Post.” Munnings’ namesake runs at Saratoga this afternoon. The unofficial end of summer is here but racing continues its upward swing as Thoroughbreds in every division set sail for the Breeders’ Cup. Two-year-olds are spotlighted this afternoon but the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and […]

August 31, 2008 – “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.” Menifee

By Jude T. Feld Rick explaining to Major Strasser that he came to Casablanca for “the waters.” He “was misinformed.” This will be a big weekend for horseplayers with many of the Grade 1 events running on Monday. Saturday’s card is full of solid wagering opportunities and will be a treat to watch. As usual, […]

By Gene Williams Trainer Ron EllisTOC Photo “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” as the saying goes. It may be a bit extreme to think that trainer Ron Ellis is facing desperate times, but he is facing a time calling for some measures he didn’t think he’d need to call on quite so soon. And […]

By Jude T. Feld Former relief pitcher Rob Murphy owns major contender GOLDEN SPIKES, entered in the King’s Bishop (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Saturdays like this is why all of us love summer racing. Check the weather and track conditions before wagering and enjoy the magnificent stakes from coast-to-coast. Six “need the lead” types […]

By Jude T. Feld Incitatus, the Latin word for “speedy,” was the name of Roman Emperor Caligula’s favorite horse. Legend indicates that the horse was attended to by eighteen servants and was fed oats mixed with gold flake. Suetonius wrote in the Lives of the Twelve Caesars that “Incitatus had a stable of marble, with […]

August 19, 2008 – “Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.” Benjamin Franklin

By Gene Williams Fear of flying is not an option for jockeys these days when the call comes to ride a good horse in a big race. They go — and if things work out right they fly home on Cloud 9. Cross-country flying and even intercontinental flight has become routine for the sport’s leading […]