Archive note: This preview was written before the 2021 Belmont Stakes. The result and a retrospective appear below. There are few horse racing events bigger than the Belmont Stakes. This third jewel of the Triple Crown racing series can decide a Triple Crown when the same horse has won the first two legs. After suffering…
For many years live horse racing has been an event that inspires people to dress up. There are many horse racing tracks today that still insist on a dress code for attendees who visit areas like the clubhouse. Why do people dress up to go to the horse races? Here’s a quick look at the…
2021 archive: This preview describes the pandemic-era running on 1 May 2021. Medina Spirit finished first on the track but was later disqualified; Mandaloun is the official winner. After a year of dealing with a global health crisis, The Kentucky Derby returned to its traditional May date in 2021, with pandemic-related attendance restrictions still in…
A horse’s state of breeding can tell you about race eligibility, but it does not by itself predict performance or profit. Kentucky has an important breeding industry; to assess an individual runner, compare its record, the race conditions and the price on offer. Birthplace is a clue, not a betting system Kentucky is a major…
Getting in the spirit for horse races like the Preakness Stakes is part of the fun of betting on horses. If you really want to create the full Preakness experience at home, you need to learn how to make a Black-Eyed Susan. This is the official drink of the Preakness. It is simple to make…
Some racing events have well-known drink traditions. Some drinks have even become associated with horse racing’s biggest events. At the Belmont Stakes the official drink is the Belmont Jewel. At the Preakness Stakes the official drink is the Black-eyed Susan. The most famous horse racing drink of them all is the Mint Julep. It is…
For just the second time in its 146-year history the Kentucky Derby has been postponed. The 2020 Kentucky Derby will be held on September 5, 2020 at the legendary Churchill Downs in Kentucky. The postponement is due to the global coronavirus health pandemic known as COVID-19. This means that trainers and owner will have to…
The Breeders’ Cup Fix Six scandal concerned a fraudulent wagering record, not evidence that six races had predetermined sporting results. In the 2002 Pick 6, a compromised ticket threatened the share of the pool due to legitimate customers. Keeping race integrity separate from tote-system integrity is essential to understanding the case. The episode occurred at…
The Preakness Stakes is staying in Maryland, but the race is temporarily leaving Pimlico while the historic Baltimore track is rebuilt. The 150th Preakness was run at Pimlico in 2025. Demolition began afterward, and the 151st running took place at Laurel Park in 2026. Maryland’s current project schedule expects the Preakness to return to Pimlico…
Fall is always an exciting time for thoroughbred horse racing. This is the time for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This two day horse racing event features the best horses from all over the world. They compete in a number of events that are designed to crown the champions of horse racing. The marquee race…
