Archive for 2014

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer This week in horse racing is an exercise in anticipation: Will California Chrome win the American Triple Crown? And can Australia live up to his billing in the Investec Derby on Epsom Downs? Meantime, the Japanese Derby went into the books with a minor upset while a Group 1 […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer California Chrome is training “like a monster” in preparation for his upcoming Triple Crown bid while, in England, Kingman won the Irish 2,000 Guineas but looks to skip the Epsom Derby. Those were the 3-year-old highlights of the first two days of the Memorial Day weekend. Also sandwiched in […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer California Chrome heads to the Belmont Stakes appearing to have a good chance to become the first U.S. Triple Crown winner since 1978. But history and a potentially large field of challengers stand in his way. California Chrome’s workmanlike victory in Saturday’s $1.5 million, Grade I Preakness Stakes capped […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer With hopes of a U.S. Triple Crown on hold for a week, European 3-year-olds were on display in several countries during the weekend. Meanwhile, North America was not devoid of important races. Imagining beat some good ones from both sides of the pond on the Belmont Park grass while […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer California Chrome’s domination of the Kentucky Derby fueled hopes for a long-awaited Triple Crown sweep and topped a weekend filled with top racing action around the globe. The reigning U.S. Horse of the Year, Wise Dan, also notched a win — but should be looking over his shoulder for […]

Follow @racehorsereport CHURCHILL DOWNS RACE 6 – THE CHURCHILL DISTAFF TURF MILE (G2) A “horse for course” play, #3 MIZ IDA has two wins and two second-place finishes in six starts in Louisville. She runs well fresh and has been training very well of late. Her trainer, Steve Margolis, wins a solid 19% of the […]

Follow @racehorsereport CHURCHILL DOWNS RACE 8 – THE EIGHT BELLES (G3) #7 FIFTYSHADESOFGOLD is one of the best in her division. She excels sprinting and will appreciate the drop back in distance here. Her breeze at Churchill Downs on April 18 was reportedly excellent and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith got acquainted with her […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Horse racing blossomed, springlike, around the world during the weekend with excitement from South Africa to France to Hong Kong. It was age before beauty in a dramatic stretch battle between a young, Arc-winning filly and a wily old veteran in a French Group 1. Designs on Rome now […]

Follow @racehorsereport Jude and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert shooting the breeze about the Triple CrownKurt “The Voice of NASCAR & Keeneland” Becker Photo Only four Grade 3 events on Saturday’s docket as we head into Derby Week. We start at cocktail hour in Canada and end with a nightcap in Texas. WOODBINE RACE […]

April 23, 2014 – “The things of the night cannot be explained in the day.” Ernest Hemingway