Archive for the ‘Featured Articles’ Category

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer The New York troupe of would-be Kentucky Derby players has a boffo hit on its hands. Undefeated Samraat bested fellow New York-bred Uncle Sigh for the second time in Saturday’s $500,000, Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, cementing a rivalry that, with luck, will spice up this year’s Run […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Weekend racing featured some rather inconclusive preps for the Kentucky Derby and a few more informative trials for Dubai World Cup night. And, while winter extended its grip over much of North America, there were a few signs of spring with races on the grass in southern climes and […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Tamarando and Kobe’s Back jumped onto the Kentucky Derby radar with late-running wins in a weather-shortened weekend of racing. Races in Florida, Japan, and Hong Kong produced likely candidates for Dubai World Cup night next month. Oaklawn Park in Arkansas finally got back into action after losing multiple days […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Roundup In a weekend filled with upsets, Game on Dude and Will Take Charge both came up short while a two-time champion retired on a winning note. Will Take Charge, the 3-year-old champion of 2013, couldn’t catch the speedy leader in Sunday’s Grade I Donn Handicap. And at Santa Anita, […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer A few pieces of the Kentucky Derby puzzle fell into place in weekend racing while a showdown between sprinters went to a longshot. On the Kentucky Oaks front, there were minor upsets in California and New York. But on Florida’s Gulf Coast, form ruled. Internationally, the Dubai-based horses are […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Some hot prospects for the Kentucky Derby, led by Cairo Prince, showed their potential in weekend stakes races. A couple likely Kentucky Oaks contenders also dominated 7-furlong events in Maryland and Florida. Rose to Gold won the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston Race Park in Texas and […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner returned to the races with a smashing win, highlighting a big weekend of racing. Two more potential Kentucky Derby candidates surfaced — Exit Stage Left in California and Vicar’s in Trouble in New Orleans. And there are three more races of note for […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Some emerging stars were on display in weekend racing, including Kentucky Derby contenders and potential Dubai World Cup challengers. Speaking of Dubai, the rich “World Cup Carnival” is off and running at Meydan, pointing directly to the world’s richest race on the last weekend of March. Looking farther ahead, […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer A few more potential Kentucky Derby candidates emerged from weekend racing while some old warriors returned to glory. As usual, the early Derby preps are indicative, not conclusive. The young 3-year-olds still have lots to prove in terms of distance capability, durability and will to win. But, you’ve got […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Santa Anita’s late, great, shoeshine man, Eddie LoganBenoit Photo Santa Anita kicked off its season with tributes to a star trainer and a shoeshine vendor while some owners and trainers already were looking at next fall’s Breeders’ Cup. But for all of that, it was a relatively quiet weekend […]