Blame wins the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic

In the world of horse racing, we get the incredible opportunity to witness some of the most gifted animals showcase their talents on the track. Yet, there are certain names that go beyond just being winners - they become legends. These iconic horses, with their incredible speed, unstoppable spirit, and often riveting stories, have truly made a…

There is nothing more subjective in Eclipse Award voting forthe horse of the year than the intangibles that go beyond past performances. When Zenyatta won it in 2010 by the closest margin since thecurrent voting system began 20 years ago, it was suggested she was rewarded asmuch for her 6-year-old season as she was for her 19-0 career record before…

Shishkin's seasonal reappearance was eagerly anticipated with Nicky Henderson applying cheekpieces to the star performer ahead of an intended tilt at the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. However, it wasn't to be as Shishkin, the 8/13 favourite, whipped round as the tapes went up and stood stock still, refusing to set off with the…

Horse racing has a strong history filled with moments of triumph and heartbreak. From legendary victories to devastating defeats that left spectators in disbelief, the world of horse racing is a rollercoaster of emotions. In this article, we will delve into the biggest wins and losses in horse racing history, celebrating the champions and…

The state's breeding industry isn't what it used to be, so a recent victory by a Nebraska-bred was welcomed on social media. A colt named General Shipman recently won the $100000 Freshman Stakes at Prairie Meadows in suburban Des Moines. The 2-year-old was the only Nebraska-bred in the eight-horse field. Owned by Jason Cline and ridden by Ken…

While Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss were building A&M Records into a powerhouse label, Moss bought his first thoroughbred in 1970. It was the start of a love affair with horse racing that lasted the rest of his life. His family said Moss died Wednesday at home in Los Angeles at age 88. "This is a gold-star guy," said John Sadler, one of Moss's primary…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDKY) - The lore and pageantry of the Kentucky Derby have been etched in racing history since its inaugural running in 1875, but some winners of "The Run for the Roses" stand apart. Long-shot winners like Rich Strike in 2022 and blazing-fast times like those achieved by Secretariat in 1973 have cemented the race as one of the most…

One sees enough horse races during a Hot Springs season that fade from memory quicker than cheap speed. A longer season has moved Oaklawn to add stakes races, even if it results in the Racing Festival of the South, the late Charles J. Cella's brainchild, being left for the historian to unearth. Come to think of it, does anyone have a list of stakes…

Have you ever heard of a "key race?" A key race is a race from which a large number of participants return to win or run well the next time they compete. It can be difficult to identify a key race immediately after it is run, but once a couple of participants have returned to win, it's worth viewing the rest of the participants with respect. Maybe…

The Road to the Kentucky Derby is well on its way! Every spring weekend Derby hopes flare anew, points are recalculated, and preps for America's most famous horse race are run. Here is a quick look at the winners of some of the most prestigious preps yet, as well as a few others who merit a second look. But before you can check the current official…

James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back on the events of last weekend, including a significant Saturday of preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1). James Scully: The Fountain of Youth featured the top performer, but the San Felipe appeared to be the deeper race. Forte made quite the impression with a 4 1/2-length…

One year ago, Kentucky Derby 148 hero Rich Strike came through Turfway Park before he qualified for the "Run for the Roses." Now, his winning rider Sonny Leon could have himself another mount in the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) after winning Saturday's $150000 John Battaglia Memorial aboard improving 3-year-old…

Twelve years after Uncle Mo, there was cause for celebration again with the face of a new equine racing generation representing the old New York guard of Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher. His name is Forte. Yes, it is pronounced "for-tay," the Italian word for force. And this 2-year-old colt gave co-owner Repole and trainer Pletcher their long-awaited…

The best sprinter I've seen who conquered everything thrown at him. From Royal Ascot to York, Paris to New York. Apart from the shadows cast by the Belmont Park grandstand 100 yards from the finish on the dirt track. The fastest racehorse in the world, doing what he was bred to do, jumped not once, but twice. Spooked and startled by what he thought…

We use the Timeform filter to pick out our two most interesting bets on today's racing. Our Filter tool lets you create your own list of horses to bet on based on the criteria you judge to be most important. Dundory - 13:15 Ayr ✔ UK Flat racing ✔ Horse is in form ✔ Horse is top on weight-adjusted ratings ✔ Jockey has previously won on the…

Trainer John Shirreffs has one horse ticketed to next month's Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. On Saturday at Santa Anita, he'll try to add two more to the lineup. Shirreffs on Wednesday entered flashy debut winner Justique in the $200000 Chandelier (G2) for 2-year-old fillies and the well-regarded maiden Skinner in the $300000 American Pharoah (G1) for…

In his regular gambling blog, John Piassek presents his top picks for the upcoming weekend in horse racing, offering betting options at different budget levels. Piassek's Plays is brought to you by Horseplayers.com, the official online qualifying site of the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and National Horseplayers Championship (NHC).…

So many times, when a racehorse is trying to pull off an undefeated career, a challenger comes along to spoil the party. Native Dancer lost the Kentucky Derby to Dark Star. Man o' War lost the Sanford to Upset. Zenyatta lost the Breeders' Cup Classic to Blame in the final start of her career. But once in a long while, storybook endings do come…

I vividly remember the moment when Zenyatta became a legend in my mind, on par with all the greats from racing's glorious history. Ironically, it occurred on the day she suffered the lone defeat of her Hall of Fame career. Her stunning victory in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) was supposed to be her grand finale; a perfect cap to an undefeated…

Everyone has a favorite racehorse. As part of a new series, we've asked contributors to write about theirs. Today it is the turn of Melbourne-based Steve Moran, who has worked as a racing journalist for 35 years, in print, radio, and television and is a former racing editor of Melbourne's Sunday Age. Northerly was no Frankel. No Black Caviar. Not…

Lost in all the talk about Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and the Derby futures was the dominating performance by Quality Road in last Saturday's G1-Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park. The Beyer figure came up 121 (revised down a point after an initial 122), and other performance ratings (Thoro-Graph, Ragozin, etc.) all came up with numbers that met or…

Flightline is the undisputed star of this weekend's 39th Breeders' Cup at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. The brilliant colt, who may go off as the largest betting favorite in the history of the Breeders' Cup Classic, has never lost in five career races. He's frequently mentioned in the same sentence as the legendary Secretariat. So why is this…

Blame it on the early races at Belmont Park. Or blame it on a late race in preparation for today's Triple Crown opener. While Tiz The Law was firming to an odds-on favorite, bettors were fading closer Sole Volante two hours before Saturday's $1 million Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Long Island, New York. The Tampa Bay Derby runner-up drifted to 12-1 in…