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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The week surrounding Independence Day is an exciting one in U.S. horse racing. Between July 2 and July 5, more than three-dozen stakes will be contested at tracks across the country, including a series of lucrative graded events at Prairie Meadows and Belmont Park. So what are we ...

In horse racing's year of resiliency in 2020 as its network of advance-deposit wagering outlets allowed customers to wager on the sport from home while horsemen and tracks found a way to continue to offer racing, a long-standing effort by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association proved an unsung hero. One of the NTRA's key legislative ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Get ready, folks! An exciting weekend of racing is on the agenda, featuring more than two dozen stakes at tracks across North America. Some of the best action is taking place at Belmont Park and Churchill Downs, where the Mother Goose S. (G2) and Stephen Foster S. (G2) are the ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman On a relatively quiet weekend of racing in North America, one of the most intriguing events on the agenda is Saturday's $110,000 Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs. At first glance, the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares isn't the most appealing betting race. Just six ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Another Triple Crown is in the books, which means it's time for horseplayers to turn their attention to the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. The exciting year-end championship is less than five months away! The annual highlight of the two-day, 14-race extravaganza is the $6 million ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman If you're reading this post, then you're probably wondering who I've picked to win Saturday's 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. Join the club! I'm still wondering myself. I find this year's renewal of the 1 1/2-mile classic to be among the most perplexing in ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a big one in U.S. horse racing, and this year is no exception. More than 50 stakes are slated to take place from May 28-31, including a trio of Grade 1 events on Sunday at Santa Anita. We're bound to see a bevy of high-class horses take center ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The weekend between the Preakness and Memorial Day is typically a quiet one in U.S. horse racing. The international stage is considerably richer this year, with spring classics set to take place in Ireland and Japan. But the local scene nevertheless features a handful of graded ...