Keeping Pace

Staff writer Frank Angst examines racing, handicapping, and other mysteries.

March 2019 - Posts

International Horses With Derby Aspirations Meet at Meydan

Some of the top international runners under consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) should sort themselves out March 30 in the UAE Derby Sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) at Meydan. Three runners of interest are based in Dubai with trainer Ahmed bin Harmash for owner Phoenix Ladies Syndicate. The connections said March 27 that should Walking Thunder... Read More

Not Improvising in New Orleans

Between the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, plenty of visitors have wandered into New Orleans throughout its long history, but make no mistake, the equine star to date of the current Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots meet is in the Crescent City by plan. Last year trainer Mark Casse liked how the track with the long stretch, forgiving surface, and logical prep race series for 3-year-olds... Read More

Thayer: Tax Law Fix on Gambling Winnings a "Heavy Lift"

In a change that never should have occurred in the first place, Kentucky lawmakers eliminated the ability of gamblers to claim losses up to the amount of their winnings for tax year 2018 as part of a major tax reform that aimed to simplify the code by eliminating many deductions. While one certainly can question why Kentucky lawmakers would have stopped allowing gambling losses to be claimed against... Read More

Oaklawn Park Steps Up to Fill a Need

At this week's National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association convention in Clearwater Beach, Fla., Arkansas HBPA president Bill Walmsley explained his thought process when Oaklawn Park management outlined a possible plan this month to split the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) into two divisions. The track's plan was to offer a pair of $750,000 divisions of the Rebel. It required an additional... Read More

Gotham, Jeff Ruby Offer Options

So you're an owner with a 3-year-old who isn't quite ready to try two turns in a graded stakes, but you would like to pick up some qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)--just in case stretching out to a classic distance could still be in the future. Or you're a trainer with a sophomore who has shown talent on turf or synthetic surfaces, and you'd like to see... Read More

Gates Beginning to Fill in Road to the Derby

After a bit of a slow start to the Road to the Kentucky Derby in terms of field size, horsemen's interest has been picking up as they try to qualify their 3-year-olds for the season's opening classic. The past seven races--counting the 11 starters in the March 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park--have featured field sizes larger or as large as last year. The 11 starters in the Fountain... Read More

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