#Stephen Foster

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…

While I was watching yet another NFL halftime show precede and perhaps trigger a stadium power outage, I went back to my computer window that was locked Thanksgiving morning into the very early betting on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Four times a year I am thankful for the a-ha, teaching moment that the KDFW provides. And it happened like…

With Arrogate and Gun Runner taking center stage in the $6 million Classic, Day 2 of the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, was a highly anticipated affair. However, drama wasn't limited to Saturday's final race, considering $21.5 million in total purse money was up for grabs over the course of nine races. Below,…

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a special cross breed Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday, featuring Grade 1 thoroughbred action from Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course and standardbred racing from the Hambletonian card at Meadowlands Racetrack. Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick…

Simply put, the Jockey Club Gold Cup on the final weekend of the 2022 Saratoga meet this Saturday is trainer Todd Pletcher's to lose. The all-star trainer has four of the race's eight runners, meaning that just by mere arithmetic, Pletcher has a 50-50 chance of standing in the winner's circle with one of his horses moments after the 10-furlong…

OCEANPORT - His turf course. His race.Jockey Joe Bravo gave the Mike Maker-trained Bigger Picture a picture-perfect rail-skimming ride as that horse rallied from last in the field of nine with five furlongs left to win the Grade I $300000 United Nations Stakes by a head over Can't helpbelieving Saturday at Monmouth Park.For Bravo, a 13-time…

Mark your calendars for Aug. 3! Starting at 5 p.m. ET, the NBCSN broadcast team will be at Saratoga to cover the $1 million, Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, a prestigious Challenge Series "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic. First held in 1928, the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes annually attracts some of the best older…

Olympiad isn't a born homewrecker, but if there is one sleeper in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic field, it's he. William Mott's training style is careful, as evidenced by the extremely judicious campaign that has brought the four-year-old grandson of Medaglia d'Oro to Keeneland this Saturday. Mott has not often let this athlete race outside…

Three mares have won in the Kentucky Derby's history - Genuine Risk, Winning Colors, and Regret. Coincidentally, you can experience all three of these things in your first minute at Churchill Downs. The Derby is the longest-running American sporting event ever, and there's your first hint that it shouldn't still exist. One hundred and forty-eight…

Epicenter, shown training before his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, meets the winner of that race, Rich Strike, again Saturday in the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The "Midsummer Derby" at Saratoga pits the first three finishers from the Kentucky Derby against one another again in…

A spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic will be on the line when six of the best older horses in the country leave the starting gate in the 2022 Whitney Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The race has attracted five horses who have won at least $988000, topped by the $5.2 million earned by Hot Rod Charlie. However, the…

The feature race of the Breeders' Cup comes in the form of the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic. The race headlines a stunning second day of racing at Keeneland in 2022, as the world's best horses on the dirt compete over 1 ¼ miles for their share of the $6 million purse. When: Saturday, November 52022 Where: Keeneland, Lexington How To Watch: NBC…

Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun works out at Churchill Downs in preparation for Saturday's Stephen Foster Stakes. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs July 1 (UPI) -- The Fourth of July weekend kicks off the second half of the horse racing year with a bang as Mandaloun, Life Is Good, Ce Ce and other notables return from layoffs. Adding to the…

Olympiad with Junior Alvarado aboard wins the New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds. This Saturday's Grade 2, $750000 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs brings together a field of seven horses in the Breeders' Cup Classic division trying to earn a "Win and You're In" spot into the big race in November. Leading the field in terms of career…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Proxy Gets Big Speed Figure After G1 Clark Win (Proxy / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs' Media Team: Godolphin's talented 4-year-old colt Proxy earned his first career stakes victory Friday with his determined three-quarters of a length win in the $750000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade…

Kentucky Derby hero closes out his season this weekend in the G1 Clark back at his favorite venue Churchill Downs. Steve Dennis talks to the colt's biggest fan, his trainer Eric Reed - the man with the golden toenails … USA: The Man with the Golden Gun, we know. But if Hollywood is looking for a sequel, another edge-of-the-seat thriller to draw the…

There is an old saying in horse racing - "pace makes the race" - that is a core tenet of analyzing races. Essentially what it means is that how fast a race in run in the early stages and how many horses vie for the lead plays a major role in which runners have the best chance to win. A talented front-runner thus would be formidable in a race in…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: KY Derby Winner Returns in G1 Clark'Cap (Rich Strike / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: RED-TR Racing's Kentucky Derby (Grade I) hero Rich Strike will return to Churchill Downs and face a compact field of seven entered in Friday's 148 running of the $750000 Clark presented by Norton…

For years Saratoga has been known as the Graveyard of Favorites. Whether it be Thursday's first race, or a grade one event on the weekend, an upset is always more than a possibility. Saturday's feature is more than just a big race. The Whitney Stakes was once declared by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities as the top grade one…

With Champion 3-Year-Old Male finalist Omaha Beach and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Spun to Run out for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, the field has opened up for the remaining 10 horses. Spun to Run was withdrawn with hives, and even money favorite Omaha Beach scratched due to swelling in his right hind leg. Bob…

This marks the latest edition of "Stackin' Cheddar: Looking Back", a new biweekly series on America's Best Racing. Here, we'll look back on an early race in the careers of some of the greatest horses of all time, including spots where they went off at a big price. June 13, 2008 Maiden Special Weight Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen arrived at…

It's quite an honor for a breeder to watch their horse win a Breeders' Cup race. The penultimate the Classic. To see two of their horses, win, amazing. A sire, son. Outstanding. How about two of the deepest fields in Breeders' Cup Classic history. Phenomenal. Frank Stronach has done just that. In 1998, campaigned for Stronach Stables and racing…

Despite the small field of six horses, handicapping the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga and deciding on a final bet took some time. While the scenario of Life Is Good sprinting to an uncontested lead and never giving it up could happen, that is not the only possible outcome. The best horse to use instead of Life Is Good…

Despite a five-racing losing streak - not even a finish better than fourth during the past eight months - Tenfold was invited to run in Saturday's $3 million Pegasus World Cup. Even though he is one of the five 30-1 longest shots in the 12-horse field, the connections of the 5-year-old son of champion Curlin figured why not head to Gulfstream…

Will this weekend's Breeders' Cup Classic serve as the crowning moment for a horse that will go down in the history books, or will it be the setting for a major upset? We'll find out Saturday evening at Keeneland, which will host horse racing's World Championships for the third time and welcome one of the sport's biggest stars in recent memory. The…

The 39th running of the Grade 1, $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic may be talked about for years if the top contenders repeat their best efforts to date, with six of the eight horses entering the race off wins at the top level. None was more impressive than the undefeated Flightline, a lightly raced colt who won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes…

OCEANPORT - There will be plenty of good racing at Monmouth Park on Sunday, in addition to the $1 million Grade I betfair.com Haskell Invitational.The Haskell undercard will feature four graded stakes in the $200000 Grade II Monmouth Cup, featuring defending champion Bradester; the $150000 Grade III Oceanport Stakes; the $100000 Grade III Molly…

Live Racing Returns to Churchill Downs on Sunday for 19-Day Fall Meet (Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Thoroughbred racing in Kentucky shifts from Keeneland to Churchill Downs on Sunday as the home of the Kentucky Derby readies to open its 133 Fall Meet with an 11-race program - all for promising…

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…

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) - Trainer John Sadler woke up feeling confident on Pacific Classic day, believing he had the best horse in the field. "The toughest thing all day was getting into the parking lot," he said. Accelerate never gave Sadler reason for concern, living up to his name with a record 12 1/2-length victory in the $1 million race at Del…

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is back at Churchill Downs and trainer Eric Reed is hoping his prized colt will notch a third-career victory beneath the historic Twin Spires in Saturday's $500000 Lukas Classic (Grade II). "Every time he comes to Churchill he's ready for game time," said Reed, who regularly ships the Kentucky…

KY Derby Winner Rich Strike May Find Riches Again in Saturday's G2 Lukas Classic (Rich Strike / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is back at Churchill Downs and trainer Eric Reed is hoping his prized colt will notch a third-career victory beneath the historic Twin Spires in Saturday's…

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is back at Churchill Downs and trainer Eric Reed is hoping his prized colt will notch a third-career victory beneath the historic Twin Spires in Saturday's $500000 Lukas Classic (Grade 2). "Every time he comes to Churchill he's ready for game time," said Reed, who regularly ships the Kentucky Derby winner 85 miles…

Carryingtwo Grade 1 wins this year, Cyberknife probably will line up in the Breeders' Cup Classic, right? Notso fast, his trainer Brad Cox said Saturday after his Gun Runner colt lost toanother Gun Runner colt. Cyberknife finished third to Taiba in the Grade 1, $1million Pennsylvania Derby. SinceFebruary, Cyberknife has won four times, twice at 1…

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world. But it's not just the race that has everyone planning their trips to Churchill Downs. It's the traditions and pageantry that have captivated millions across the globe. Catch these traditions live at the 2022 Kentucky Derby, which will air on Saturday, May 7 from 12 to 2:30…

Almost all of the prerace hype for the Pegasus World Cup is focused on the rematch between California Chrome and Arrogate. The fervor was stoked by their duel in the Breeders' Cup Classic, with Arrogate winning by a half-length. Saturday at Gulfstream Park the two top-rated thoroughbreds will reprise their rivalry with $7 million on the line as the…

A spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic will be on the line when nine horses leave the starting gate in the 2021 Stephen Foster Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The winner of Saturday's $600000 race will earn a place in the $6 million Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. For Saturday, the Brendan Walsh-trained Maxfield is listed as the…

The top of the North American trainer earnings list in 2021 looked much as it did in 2020. Of the 10 trainers who led their peers in 2020 earnings, only the federally indicted Jason Servis did not also crack the top 10 in 2021. Brad Cox led the list, followed by Steve Asmussen and Chad Brown. There was movement further down the trainer earnings…

Del Mar News: Post Position Draw for G1 Pacific Classic (Seeking the Soul after winning the G2 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Del Mar Media Team: Charles Fipke's well-travelled Seeking the Soul drew Post 5 Tuesday in a field of 10 and was installed the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday's 29th edition of…

The winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Pegasus World Cup (G1), Life Is Good has drawn the outside post of a talented field of six older males entered in Saturday's $1000000 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. A disappointing fourth in the Dubai World Cup in March, the son of Into Mischief returned to his winning ways last time, easily…

The Juan Arriagada-trained Estilo Talentoso will try to win back-to-back races for the first time in her career when she leaves the starting gate in the 2021 Princess Rooney Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. This 4-year-old daughter of MacLean's Music won the Bed o' Roses Stakes in her last start, her fourth career…

Keeneland Barn Notes: Champ Letruska Returns to Regular Work (Letruska / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Keeneland Media Team: CHAMPION LETRUSKA RETURNS TO KEENELAND WORK TAB St. George Stable's Letruska, who made Keeneland her main base of operations during an Eclipse Award-winning campaign in 2021, worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.40 over a fast…

Join our channel to stay up to date on breaking news coverage Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup 2022 will see a strong field of eight runners battle it out for the lucrative $1.25m purse at Saratoga, while there is also an added carrot for connections with this being a'win and you're in' Breeders' Cup race - meaning the winner will book their place…

The Jockey Club Gold Cup 2022 will provide horse racing fans with some more Breeders' Cup clues ahead of Saturday's $1.25m Grade 1 at Saratoga as the racing summer at the New York track draws to a close. It's another'Win and You're In' Breeders' Cup contest so the successful horse this weekend will also book their ticket to Keeneland on November…

Change. Sometimes we fear it, and sometimes we embrace it. President Bill Clinton once said that "the price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change." Few major races have had as much change in their history as the Jockey Club Gold Cup. One of those changes began last year with the race moving to the final weekend of the…