#The Downs

Champagne Dream winning the G3 Nashua at Aqueduct Nov. 6, 2022. (Joe Labozzetta) Tampa Bay Downs Skyway Festival Day by Mike Henry/Tampa Bay Downs TAMPA BAY, Fla.-A trio of stakes races comprise Saturday's annual Skyway Festival Day card at Tampa Bay Downs, with 3-year-olds of both sexes attempting to prove their mettle in a pair of $125000,…

Last month, James McCann was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. The catcher had become expendable after the New York Mets signed former All-Star catcher Omar Narváez to a one-year, $8 million contract with a player option for 2024 worth $7 million. McCann has two years and $24 million left on his contract, and the Orioles will assume $5 million of…

Cryptocurrency and online betting are two terms that are heard together with increasing regularity. There are a lot of compelling reasons to opt for crypto as a payment method when placing a wager on an MMA encounter, or indeed on any other sporting event. As a result, more betting sites than ever are offering crypto among the possible transaction…

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…

Derby Day. A carnival of colour. Punters, picnics and pomp. Double-deckers lining the rails. More than 100000 people splayed across the downs. This time it's different. No spectators or dress code. Three miles of fencing, twice the distance of the big race itself, circling the course to keep people out. The 2020 Derby at Epsom is the Covid-19…

First published on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Captain Tim Forster was sitting in his battered Range Rover at the top of the gallops, on the Downs near Letcombe Bassett, waiting for his slowcoach chasers to lumber into view. When the first of them finally did, ears flopping, it was a horse about to run at Sandown's annual military meeting, where…

In the words of legendary Italian breeder, Federico Tesio: "The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians, or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby." Those comments may not apply to the same extent when it comes to the recent crop of Derby victors, but one thing remains the…

Baylor (6-6) kicks off this year's slate of Big 12 bowl games, as they battle Air Force (9-3) in the Fort Worth. Baylor's season was certainly one that had its ups and had its downs, with the downs coming later in the season on three consecutive losses. Still, the Bears can capitalize on some momentum going into the offseason if they can cap off…

Akron, NY - - The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs will honor three 14-year-old veteran harness racing horses who will officially retire on January 1, 2023. These horses have competed at the Downs this season and will be presented with a trophy commemorating their outstanding careers in the…

Trainer John Gosden feels Stradivarius is returning to Goodwood next week in top shape despite the star stayer falling short in his bid for a fourth Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last month. The seven-year-old is the odds-on favourite for the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup given the absence of his Gold Cup conqueror Subjectivist, who is likely to be out of…

1pt e.w. Enemy in Sky Bet Ebor at 25/1 (Sky Bet, Betfred 1/5 1,2,3,4,5) The last four winners being rated 108, 108, 108 and 109 tells you just about all you need to know about the modern-day Sky Bet Ebor. In short, class conquers all and that's underlined by the fact the first and second from last season - namely Sonnyboyliston and Quickthorn (who…

Classic winner Hollie Doyle heads to Newcastle on Saturday to partner Group One stars Trueshan and Glen Shiel in the two big races, live on Sky Sports Racing. Although TRUESHAN faces a demanding task under such a massive weight in Saturday's JenningsBet Northumberland Plate (3.30) at Newcastle, it's simply a race he has to run in. Unsuitably fast…

So we're going with the best four Cazoo Oaks winners of the last 30 years on Timeform performance ratings. Not five, because four horses tied for that spot, Look Here, Alexandrova, Love and Ramruma all running to 123 to win at Epsom. They were clearly good fillies - as was the late Snowfall who ran out a remarkable winner in 2021, hitting 121 in…

Washington Wizards forward Kristaps Porzingis wanted to give a non-generic response to being asked what he's thankful for this Thanksgiving. He did his best to avoid a cliché answer. "I don't want to give a simple answer," said Porzingis during a team shootaround on Wednesday. "I'm thankful for my family, you know. Of course I'm thankful for my…

2022-03-14Cheltenham Festival News: Hughie Morrison alert to Not So Sleepy's Champion Hurdle chances Trainer Hughie Morrison is going into Tuesday's Unibet Champion Hurdle with his eyes wide open but is hoping a new training schedule will pay dividends with Not So Sleepy. A 125/1 outsider for the Champion Hurdle, Morrison's charge ran a huge race…

The first Saturday of June marks the day of the Epsom Derby, with huge crowds of 125000 expected on the downs. With five Classic races on show, the main event is no doubt the Derby itself - slap-bang in the middle of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. We are down to the final 18 horses now, after the latest set of scratchings has been…

WILKES-BARRE PA - The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono held its final of 133 cards for 2022 in near-freezing temperatures on Saturday afternoon (Nov 19), with the meet's leading harness racing horsemen and retiring 14-year-olds feted. Top purse event of closing day was a $25000 fast-class pace, taken easily by the Bettor's Delight gelding Ilikemebettor…

When three-year-old colt Rich Strike stunned the horse racing world on Saturday, it sent tremors through the dirt track and empty seats 2000 kilometres away at Winnipeg's Assiniboia Downs. "There was a lot of yelling and screaming - and even that was from people who didn't cash a wager. It was just a lot of pride here in Manitoba," said Darren…

Allywag Hanover (Captaintreacherous- Anderosa Hanover) added to his list of record-setting accomplishments when he became only the fourth harness racing pacer in history to win a race in 1:46 or faster as he upset Bulldog Hanover (Shadow Play -BJ's Squall) earlier this month in the Allerage Farms Open at Lexington's Red Mile. And trainer Brett…

The Queen will be without a runner at Epsom on Derby day after her final horse was not declared. Just Fine had been due to contest the World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap at the prestigious fixture. The gelding's trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, has the favourite for the feature Cazoo Derby (4.30pm). The big race is the only Flat Classic the Queen has…

The staff for the University of Cincinnati football team pumped artificial crowd noise through the speakers during its practices this week at the Sheakley Athletics Center. The hope is that the loud, potentially distracting ruckus will prepare the Bearcats for the chaotic scene that is expected to greet them Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas. No.…

One more flip could have given rise to the Epsom Bunbury, the Kentucky Bunbury, the Irish Bunbury and so on.The tale goes that during the celebrations following the inaugural running of the Oaks Stakes at Epsom in 1779, a new race was proposed.It would be named after the party's host, the 12th Earl of Derby, or one of the guests, Sir Charles…

The first Saturday in May arrives this weekend and the racing world turns its eyes toward … Hot Springs! These are strange days, indeed. Oaklawn Park will offer two $500000 divisions of the Arkansas Derby (G1) in place of the traditional Run for the Roses. As most fans know, the Kentucky Derby (G1) has been rescheduled for Sept. 5. On the…

WILKES-BARRE, PA - Sire Stay Hungry swept the two third preliminary round divisions of the $162620 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for two-year-old harness racing pacing colts Sunday (Aug. 7) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and both divisions were clocked in 1:51.3 over sloppy going. The colt Lyons Surfing capped a big stakes night for driver Tim…

Against Miami, the Virginia Cavaliers' defense was outstanding. The offense was horrendous. That makes for unpleasant football. Similarly, Miami's defense was outstanding, and their offense was equally horrendous. That makes for some unwatchable football. Lucky for me, it was blacked out on the ESPN app, so I couldn't watch anyway. The loss put…

The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a 30-day suspension and $2500 fine to jockey Hector Aldrete for his ride aboard Quarter Horse Starlite Eagle in the fifth race at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sept. 18, 2022. The 870-yard race, held around the bend, was for Quarter Horses, 3-years-old and up. Starlite Eagle went off as the third choice in…

Opinions, Observations & Outlooks: A Great Weekend of Racing Hypes Hopes for Fantastic Fall What a great weekend of racing action all over the United States. The return of some super stars ready to regroup and regain their status after a recharge. The emergence of some potential profile runners for our future. The pomp. The circumstances. Here's a…

With only three live racing days left in the 65th season at Assiniboia Downs, the trainer, jockey and owner races have already been decided, but there's still one major stakes race for two-year-olds that nobody can predict, and two major mandatory jackpots that anyone could win. Read this article for free: Already have an account? Log in here " To…

No Decision Yet on Whether Team Asmussen Will Run Both Echo Zulu & Wicked Halo in G3 Dogwood Stakes (Wicked Halo / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Winchell Thoroughbreds' racing manager David Fiske reported Friday morning that "no decision has been made at this time" if stablemates Echo Zulu and Wicked Halo will both…

The TwinSpires Jury - Kellie Reilly, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson - this week takes a look at Saturday's Pennsylvania Derby Day card and the "Downs After Dark" program at Churchill Downs for the weekend's best plays. Kellie Reilly: In an open-looking Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx on Saturday, #8 Witty (12-1) makes sense, especially at the price.…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Echo Zulu Returns in Saturday's G3 Dogwood Stakes (Echo Zulu / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churhcill Downs Media Team: L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' three-time Grade I-winning filly Echo Zulu will make her first start since finishing fourth in this year's $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade…

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' three-time Grade 1-winning filly Echo Zulu will make her first start since finishing fourth in this year's $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) when she goes to post as the likely favorite in Saturday night's 42nd running of the $275000 Dogwood (G3) at Churchill Downs. The seven-furlong Dogwood…

Leading rider Jorge Carreno has a chance to sweep the final three open stakes of the live race meeting at Assiniboia Downs in the 93rd running of the $50000 Winnipeg Futurity on Monday, and he'll also have an extra day to increase his overall win total, which currently stands at 59. Read this article for free: Already have an account? Log in here…

Some of the nation's premier thoroughbreds continue their 2021 rivalry on August 28 at the Travers Stakes, the nation's oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds, at Saratoga Race Course. Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality was installed as the 4-5 favorite. He headlines a field of seven going 1 1-4 miles in the 152nd running of this event, first held…

The Timberwolves and Mavericks meet for the second time in three days Tuesday night, while the struggling Lakers and first-place Suns battle for the second time. Doug Vazquez is back as the guest picker for Tuesday and he'll also take part in our NBA Christmas Day betting preview, which will come out later this week. Season record: 47-43 Guest…

WILKES-BARRE, PA - It was a wet Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, but you'll hear no complaints from Stonebridge Karis (Sweet Lou) after he lowered his record over four seconds to 1:51 in winning one of the three $13000 pacing features. Jim Pantaleano pointed the three-year-old gelding frontward and the pair were never…

Northfield, OH - This year's Adios victor Bythemissal has been named the 7-5 morning line favorite in Saturday's (Aug. 13) $300000 Carl Milstein Memorial at MGM Northfield Park. The Buckeye-bred headlines an accomplished group of nine 3-year-old pacers in Northfield Park's premier event. The Milstein, a race by invitation only, is slated as race 10…