Union Rags, the 6-1 third choice on the morning line behind Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another (4-5) and Dullahan (5-1) for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, arrived at Belmont Park shortly after 11 a.m. June 6th, and was quickly settled into to the stakes barn. All the Belmont Stakes contenders were required to […]
Imagine a three decade journey – a quest for an insidious bacterium possessing elusive qualities equivalent to that of the Holy Grail. Dr. John Prescott, University of Guelph Professor and Chair of the OVC Department of Pathobiology, has been unwavering in staying the course on his quest to find a vaccine able to combat the […]
The union representing the maintenance crew and starters at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y could go on strike Friday, threatening to dash I’ll Have Another’s hopes of taking the Triple Crown on Saturday. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has been in contract negotiations with the union for two years, and with more than 100,000 […]
On Thursday, June 7, more than a half-dozen jockeys from Belmont Park will ride into the hearts of families at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island as part of the annual Jockey Day event. Two days before the 144th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes, Jockeys will travel to the Ronald McDonald House […]
Stronach Stables’ River Rush, confidently ridden by Jim McAleney, broke his maiden in style Sunday afternoon, crushing a field of Queen’s Plate hopefuls in the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine in track record time of 1:48.97 for the mile and one-eighth test. Despite breaking from the outside post 11, River Rush, a 21-1 longshot, […]
Robert Evans’s Irish Mission, ridden by Alex Solis, pulled off a 9-1 shocker Sunday afternoon in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks for Canadian-foaled three-year-old fillies. At the finish of the mile and one-eighth classic, timed in 1:50.50, Irish Mission had fended off the stretch challenges of Northern Passion and Awesome Fire for the three-quarter length score. Pacesetter […]
Trainer Mark Casse is holding a hot hand for Sunday’s $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser. Already a two-time winner of Canada’s most important race for Canadian-bred three-year-old fillies, Casse will saddle two hopefuls for owner John Oxley, likely favourite Dixie Strike and Northern Passion, and one for Eugene Melnyk, the promising Black Bird Rock. […]
Something Extra, under a sparkling ride by Eurico Rosa da Silva, made every pole a winning one to capture Sunday’s Grade 2, $154,200 Connaught Cup, at Woodbine. The seven-furlong event marked the first added-money score for the four-year-old son of Indian Charlie, owned by John Menary in partnership with trainer Gail Cox. Something Extra won […]
Rapid Redux, the extraordinary racehorse who holds the modern North American record of 22 consecutive wins, will be permanently retired at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY. Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, announced that the 6-year-old gelding will arrive at the organization’s Georgetown farm on Wednesday, May 30th. […]
The unforgettable rivalry between 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed and archrival Alydar came alive again at Belmont Park on Saturday afternoon as hundreds of fans lined up for a special autograph session with Hall of Fame jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez. With paid admission, fans received a postcard of the photo finish of the […]