#Mark Casse

Knicks Go, seen winning the Grade I Pegasus World Cup in January, is favorite for Saturday's Grade I Whitney at Saratoga. Photo courtesy of Gulfstream Park Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Rich purses drew some top foreign talent for the Saratoga Derby and Oaks on Saturday and Sunday on the upstate New York turf to highlight a big weekend of Thoroughbred…

Trainer Ramon Minguet and jockey Samuel Marin had a strong feeling their 3-year-old gelding Zydeceaux was prepared for his winning effort in Saturday's seven-furlong $125000 Pasco Stakes for 3-year-old males at Tampa Bay Downs. "He's a very, very fast horse," Minguet said. "I believed in my horse. I knew he was getting good and that he was going to…

It is easy see why Tiz The Law is a heavy favorite for the Belmont Stakes. His two Grade 1 wins and his 4-for-4 record on fast tracks put him alone in the front of the plane while the rest of the field is stuck in coach. But if it is easy to declare that he will win Saturday, why is it so hard to figure out who will lead him there? Blame it on Fore…

As the 2023 Kentucky Derby trail takes a one-weekend pause, the 2023 Kentucky Oaks path continues Saturday in New York. Occult is the 7-5 morning-line favorite for the $100000 Busanda Stakes. Post time from Aqueduct is 3:47 p.m. EST, with FS2 showing the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies. The Busanda is the first prep race to pay points on a…

Even if a race does not carry qualifying points, if there are 3-year-olds running, it could end up being a prep for Kentucky Derby 2023. In addition to the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, there are six other races Saturday that include 15 horses who already are in the Derby futures market in Las Vegas or are on the verge of being there. Maiden…

A Grade 3 stakes winner last time in New York, Champions Dream headlines a strong pair of stablemates for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse in Saturday's $125000 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Likely to be favored in the field of six, the son of Justify has won 2-of-3 starts for former trainer Danny Gargan. Debuting at Saratoga, he broke his maiden…

This is "last call" weekend for Breeders' Cup hopefuls with more than a dozen "Win and You're In" races spread across three U.S. tracks. It's also Arc weekend in Paris and Winx seeks her 28th straight win in Australia. There's even more, with important 2-year-old races in Canada and the Group 1 Sun Chariot in England. Twenty-eight straight wins? It…

Three stakes winners plus a debut runner caught my eye last week. Each of them bred in Louisiana, and each of them with the talent to potentially face open company going forward. Let's start with the debut runner from Ron Faucheux's barn who ran on Thursday, Kyle Beauty. It didn't take an expert eye to be awed by this first-time-starter. After…

Headlined by classic winners Authentic, Swiss Skydiver and Tiz The Law, 184 horses were drawn Monday afternoon into 14 fields for the $28 million Breeders' Cup championships Friday and Saturday at Keeneland. The morning lines were determined by handicapper Mike Battaglia. [] Below are the fields and odds for the 14 Breeders' Cup races in reverse…

As Keeneland prepares to host the 2022 Breeders' Cup in two weeks, the Lexington, Ky., track continues its October meet Saturday with a graded stakes for filly sprinters. Smash Ticket (5-2) is morning-line favorite for the Grade 2, $350000 Raven Run Stakes. Post time from Keeneland is 5:16 p.m., with FanDuel TV to broadcast the seven-furlong sprint…

Two weeks after a Grade 1 win at Saratoga, trainer Christophe Clement is putting the star of his barn back in the starting gates. Gufo (7-5) is morning-line favorite Saturday for the Grade 2, $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes. Post time from Kentucky Downs is 5:45 p.m., with the race broadcast on both CNBC and FanDuel TV, the network formerly…

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world. Every year, millions of fans tune into NBC to watch top race horses from around the globe compete in "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports." The 2021 Kentucky Derby will air on May 1 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Coverage is also…

Fair Grounds News: Bron and Brow Highlights 1st Gary P. Palmisano Stakes From the Fair Grounds Media Team: Gary Barber's Bron and Brow enters the 1st running of the $75000 Gary P. Palmisano Memorial Stakes after showcasing his best effort to date in a second-level allowance on Dec 15. A field of nine Louisiana-breds will take to the court in…

A historic 15 weeks after it began, the 2020 Triple Crown drew to a close as Swiss Skydiver crossed the line first in the 145th Preakness Stakes at a spectatorless Pimlico to become the sixth filly to win the race. She was the first filly to run in the Preakness since Ria Antonia in 2014, who finished last. Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra was the…

The 145th running of the Grade-1, Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 4, at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the only race in the U.S. with a 20-horse field and it can provide great wagering opportunities for bettors. The favorite has won the run for the roses the last several years, but even with the top choice…

These four plays at Gulfstream and Santa Anita meet the criteria for good superfecta key betting opportunities on Saturday.Read on after the plays to learn more about those selection standards. At Gulfstream Race 7 The Suwannee River Stakes (G3) is a one mile turf race for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up and this year's rendition attracted a…

Tiz the Law is the 6-5 morning line favorite for Saturday's 152nd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. The Barclay Tagg-trained multiple Grade 1 winner will break from the eight post against nine competitors in the 1-1/8 mile test around one turn. Posts were drawn Wednesday. "It could have been worse. I was hoping to get five…

War of Will, shown winning the Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland in July, is a major player in Saturday's Grade I Woodbine Mile. Photo courtesy of Keeneland Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Two days of top-level turf action at Woodbine, including three Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" events, provide the feature attraction in weekend horse racing. Two of the…

There is no complete Triple Crown at stake this year when the 154th Belmont Stakes is run this Saturday, June 11 (post time 6:45 p.m. ET, NBC). But after missing the Preakness Stakes following his shocking Kentucky Derby win, Rich Strike will return to the field to try to take a non-consecutive second jewel. While Preakness winner Early Voting and…

Desert Encounter, winner of the 2018 and 2019 Pattison Canadian International, is back trying for a "three-peat" in Saturday's renewal at Woodbine. Photo courtesy of Woodbine Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Belmont Park returns to action this weekend with Irish and English horses, including Bolshoi Ballet, chasing the third leg of New York's rich turf…

The 2022 Belmont Stakes takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on Saturday, June 11, 2022 (6/11/22). Fans can watch the event for free via a trial of fuboTV. Here's what you need to know: What: Belmont Stakes 2022 When: Saturday, June 11, 2022 Time: Post-time is 6:49 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Where: Belmont…

Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Trainer Bob Baffert celebrated Christmas a day late with five winners on Santa Anita's Opening Day program Monday, likely boosting one of those horses to an Eclipse Award and perhaps setting up another for a repeat raid on the rich races in the Middle East. It was a star-studded day in front of a big crowd at Santa Anita, as Juan…

The principal action for Kentucky Derby 148 occurred more than 2000 miles west of Churchill Downs Thursday morning as Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Taiba worked six furlongs in 1:12.80. "It was very straight forward," trainer Tim Yakteen said. "He worked three-quarters from the five-eighth pole. It was a typical Taiba work and we accomplished what…

Sodashi, shown winning the Sapporo Kinen in her last start Aug. 22, returns in Sunday's Grade 1 Shuka Sho at Hanshin Racecourse. Photo courtesy of Japan Racing Association Oct. 15 (UPI) -- As American horse racing enters its pre-Breeders' Cup "calm before the storm" this weekend, the international contingent ably plugs the gap with the world's…

On Dec. 26, 2021, Fair Grounds hosted the inaugural running of the $100000 Gun Runner Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile qualifier on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The winner was Epicenter, and the fifth-place finisher was Rich Strike; the following spring, Rich Strike and Epicenter ran 1-2 in the Kentucky Derby. The second…

IMAGO/ZUMA Wire, Tim Sudduth/Eclipse Sportswire/C Final Kentucky Derby prep race of 2022 takes place at Fair Grounds The Gun Runner Stakes is staged at Fair Grounds, and will feature seven horses If you're looking for the latest free horse racing picks, predictions, and odds for the Gun Runner Stakes, then look no further than Vegas Odds. Jump…

The Kentucky Derby trail through New Orleans begins on Monday as an evenly matched group of seven juveniles have been entered in the $100000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. Leading the way is Hayes Strike. Trained by Kenny McPeek, he broke his maiden nicely going mile-five starts back at Ellis Park. He has run consistently better in three graded…

Fair Grounds' Barn Notes: Jace's Road Will Return in Dec. 26 Gun Runner Stakes (The Alys Look will run in the Untappable Stakes / Hodges Photo & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) From the Fair Grounds Media Team: West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables' Jace's Road, who finished a good third in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs two…

Keeneland Barn Notes: Basin Gets Final Prep for G2 Blue Grass Stakes (Trainer Steve Asmussen / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Keeneland Media Team: GRADE 1 WINNER BASIN WORKS FOR TOYOTA BLUE GRASS Toyota Blue Grass (G2) hopeful Basin, who races for Terry Green's Jackpot Farm, was the first horse to breeze over Keeneland's fast track Monday when…

Jockey John Velazquez, riding Authentic, celebrates winning the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The Breeders' Cup World Championships, just as they were designed to do, nicely wrapped up some issues for the 2020 racing season, including the "Horse of the…

Welcome to another edition of America's Best Racing's Main Track. Each Tuesday in this space we spotlight the most meaningful story of the past week, detailing news that stands out because of its importance or perhaps the emotional response it generates. Looking ahead, if you believe there's a story this week that should be featured in next…

As 10-year-old boys, Bob Hunter and Neal Mednick used to hop the fence at the old Windfields Farm near York Mills Road and Bayview Avenue in North York just to get a look at the blue-blooded thoroughbreds owned by E.P. Taylor. It was around that time Taylor's great Canadian colt Northern Dancer won the 1964 Kentucky Derby and then returned to…

Lys Gracieux cruises to victory in Sunday's Grade 1 Arima Kinen in Japan. Photo courtesy of Kasumi Saito Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Lys Gracieux roared to victory over a loaded field in the Arima Kinen in Japan in the marquee event of weekend horse racing while Diamond Oops upset the apple cart in a key Florida sprint with international implications. Firenze…

Trainer Todd Pletcher wields a powerful pair when he sends out Sendero and Ari Gold to top a field of eight 2-year-olds entered in Saturday's $75000 Pulpit Stakes going 7 1/2-furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park. Sendero is the likely favorite after being beaten just over a length in the 1 1/16-mile Awad Stakes at Aqueduct six weeks ago. Already…

Just a few minutes before Canada's most prestigious filly race, Moira lost two of her shoes. But it didn't matter. The three-year-old ran arguably the most impressive race at Woodbine this year, winning the $500000 Woodbine Oaks. And while she was sent off as the even-money favourite, a paddock incident brought some anxious moments for trainer…

Aboutthe only thing missing in Steve Asmussen's Hall of Fame career is a KentuckyDerby victory. That does not mean Las Vegas is shying away from him in 2022. With26 of his 3-year-olds among the betting choices at Circa Sports and CaesarsSportsbook at William Hill Nevada, Asmussen has nine more horses in the Derby futuresthan any other…

Gulfstream Park hosts competitive stakes action on Saturday, and the fourth race on the card is the Pulpit Stakes. This race is for horses aged two, and it will be staged over a distance of 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. A purse of $75000 has been made available for this race. This race has produced some standout horses in recent years, including 12…

Regal Glory winds up her career with a victory in Sunday's Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar. Benoit photo, courtesy of Del Mar Turf Club Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Mind Control and Regal Glory wound up their careers with Grade I victories a continent apart in weekend racing, while the another name popped up on the "Road to the Roses" Kentucky Derby 2023…

As Woodbine jockeys Emma-Jayne Wilson and Rafael Hernandez stood in the Winner's Circle waiting to be interviewed following Sunday's Grade 3 $150000 Valedictory Stakes, Hernandez told commentator Jeff Bratt that, being a gentleman, he would let Wilson talk first. Not missing a beat, Wilson replied: "If he's such a gentleman, why didn't he let me…

Novo Sol wins a handicap at Gulfstream Park July 16 (Coglianese) By Chris Lomon - Woodbine Communications TORONTO- The Grade 3 $150000 Valedictory Stakes, set for 1 ½ miles on the Tapeta this Sunday at Woodbine, has attracted 12 starters, including Novo Sol (BRZ). The marathon test, for 3-year-olds and up, will mark the 19th career start for the…

Hot Rod Charlie gives the Grade 3, $150000 Salvator Mile on Saturday at Monmouth Park a nice star attraction for racing fans to watch. Unfortunately, his class advantage also makes this race hard to approach as a bettor. Last year, Hot Rod Charlie crossed the wire first in the Haskell Stakes (G1) on this course, before a disqualification knocked…

Poulin in O T wins the Frost King Oct. 14 at Woodbine (Michael Burns) By Chris Lomon - Woodbine Communications TORONTO- A pair of $150000 2-year-old stakes, the Clarendon and Shady Well, share the spotlight on Saturday's 11-race card at Woodbine. Each set for 6 furlongs over the Tapeta, the Shady Well (2-year-old fillies) and Clarendon…

Horsemen show a lot of support for Del Mar; Tizamagician to do the trick in Cougar II; Osunitas, Wickerr enhance weekend program DEL MAR, Calif.- Flavien Prat, the riding champion four of the last five years, has mounts booked for all 10 races as Del Mar opens its 82 summer season today. Soon after the last one he'll catch a plane for New Jersey…

The 154th running of the Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday in Elmont, N.Y., with Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike returning after sitting out the Preakness. At 80-1, Rich Strike was the second-biggest long shot winner in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Although he didn't run in the Preakness, there was a Rich Strike effect. Fenwick opened…

Rich Strike, the 80-1 shot ridden by Sonny Leon and trained by Eric Reed, mounted a furious and improbable rally to capture the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7. He was not even in the field until another horse was scratched the day before the race. But after skipping the Preakness Stakes on May 21, forgoing a shot at the Triple Crown, Rich Strike…

It's time for the final leg of horse racing's triple crown this weekend, as the Belmont Stakes, and one thing for sure is there will be no payday like we had in the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago. As usual, this is the smallest field of the three races with only eight horses scheduled to come out of the gate in Elmont, N.Y., on Saturday afternoon at…

Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports First look at some potential runners that could target the Kentucky Oaks in 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies offers a purse of $2 million There is a competitive Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies set for Keeneland this year, as the winning runner will pick up points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Below, you can find…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The horses for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of post position, with comments by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. The morning-line odds were set by Mike Battaglia of Churchill Downs. Purse: $2 million guaranteed Distance: 1¼ miles Track record: 1:59 2/5 (Secretariat, 1973) Post…

Two Emmys wins Saturday's Grade I Mr. D. Stakes at Arlington Park, the final gasp of what once was the Arlington Million. Photo by Coach Photography, courtesy of Arlington Park Aug. 16 (UPI) -- There was something for everyone in Saturday's presumed final run of "Million Day" at Arlington Park with a victory for top international raiders and…

Experts handicap Saturday's 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Post time is approximately 6:57 p.m. The Post's lead horse racing handicapper 1. Midnight Bourbon: From the man who gave you Nyquist (2016), Maximum Security (make no mistake he won it in 2019) and Authentic (2020), comes Midnight Bourbon. Tiznow-bred colt has…