Archive for the ‘Featured Articles’ Category

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer As the year draws to a close, weekend racing provided an overflowing portion of bittersweet endings and promising beginnings. Hollywood Park ended its historic run while Japan, for the second time this month, celebrated the retirement of a superstar. But from California to Florida — and at points in […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Shared Belief, undefeated and unchallenged in three starts, has emerged as a real contender for next May’s Kentucky Derby. In fact, after winning Saturday’s $750,000, Grade I Cashcall Futurity at Hollywood Park, he also is getting some consideration as 2-year-old male of 2013. One hurdle remains but trainer Jerry […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Against all odds, Hong Kong horses won three of their four international races Sunday while the weekend’s biggest U.S. race went to an upsetter. The Claiming Crown, made its second appearance at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs joined the ranks of tracks settling in for the long winter’s […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer A thrilling finish to the Japan Cup and an intriguing few steps along the Kentucky Derby trail spiced weekend racing. There were juvenile races all around the United States and some major upsets in other events, notably under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. And don’t lose focus because […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI RacingWriter There was plenty of 2-year-old action on the racing circuits this weekend — a good thing since 2014 Kentucky Derby wagering opens soon. That’s right. Churchill Downs has announced a new Derby “futures” pool that will offer wagering on next year’s Run for the Roses during the Thanksgiving weekend. That […]

Follow @racehorsereport Race 4 – BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (G1) #7 UNTAPABLE followed up a big maiden win with a game victory in the Pocahontas (G2) at Churchill Downs. A tad rank that day, trainer Steve Asmussen has had plenty of time to work out the kinks. The daughter of Tapit has been training well […]

Follow @racehorsereport Race 6 – Breeders’ Cup Marathon (G2) #1 OLD TIME HOCKEY is bred to relish the dirt, but has contested most of his races on the turf. He certainly has the ability to get the mile and three-quarters. The son of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Smarty Jones has been facing some pretty tough […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Joshua Tree became a three-time winner of the Canadian International and there were shock results in Japan and Australia in weekend racing. While much of the United States looked forward to the upcoming Breeders’ Cup, there were some rich races for juveniles in New York, Kentucky and Louisiana and […]

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Sir Alfred J. Munnings painting “Parade to the Post” – a fitting tribute to British Champions Day. British Champions Day crowned a champion in Farhh and may send a couple other winners in search of international glory. The climax of the British flat racing season on Saturday at Ascot […]

By Robert Kieckhefer UPI Racing Writer Kitten’s Dumplings continued to pile up Grade I wins for her sire and owners with a stretch-running win in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland. The Kitten’s Joy filly, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, came from the clouds to win the invitational and likely will reappear in three […]