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California Chrome is one of a select handful of Cinderella stories that captivated the country during the Triple Crown. There have been a number of horses who have won the first two legs that were embraced by the public because of the historical significance of their quest to capture the elusive Belmont Stakes, once considered “The Test of ...

OK, from a physical aspect, that’s not going to help you much in your handicapping, because it’s hard to find fault in any of the Belmont starters stabled at Belmont Park. So, now we turn to post positions, which could prove virtually meaningless going a mile and a half, although post 11 is not the ideal spot for Tonalist, who will have to break ...

Two of the greatest moments on the Triple Crown trail came courtesy of Afleet Alex and Tapit, who both reside at Gainesway Farm. Alex, of course, is known for his remarkable recovery after stumbling so badly in the Preakness Stakes, his nose actually hit the dirt. Miraculously, he was able to pick himself up off the ground, and smoothly switch ...

The 2014 Kentucky Derby was about dreams and fate, an improbable hero from humble parentage, memories of Derbys long ago, and a favorite owned and trained by underdogs. In short, it was about life and its quirky twists and turns that lead us to places envisioned only in dreams and guided only by fate. Thoroughbred racing was once dubbed The ...

Putting the caring horsemen behind Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner California Chrome on the world’s stage could not have come at a better time for Thoroughbred racing. To be sure, racing has been taking its lumps lately. Video from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals alleging abuse, finger-pointing among industry ...

You better get your eyes trained on both ends of the field when they spring the latch on Saturday if you want see the cavalry charge of speed horses and stalkers parked down on the inside and also the stone closers on the far outside taking back and trying to get position and save as much ground as possible. That was the odd layout of ...

With the bad weather breaking, cooling temperatures, and the track wet but packed down, Kentucky Derby horses returned to serious gallops Wednesday morning and were feeling good and anxious to get back in action. Starting things off was California Chrome, who went out at 6:45, jogging once around, working up a mouthful of saliva and champing at ...

Mike Maker has been looking forward to working General a Rod since his unexpectedly slow work last week. He has since compensated for the colt’s distractions by galloping him in blinkers, which has made him more focused and aggressive. This morning, again wearing blinkers and with Joel Rosario aboard, the powerfully built colt turned in a ...

Welcome to the 2014 Kentucky Derby. There were showers this morning and the forecast is for showers next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I just thought I’d get that out of the way so you can get an early start on your mud handicapping and begin moping over another wet track Derby. So, get it out of your system now and hope the forecast is ...

The top finishers in Keeneland's well-regarded spring handicapping contest, the Grade One Gamble, hail from all over the country. Runner-up Alberto Fernandez is from Miami Beach, Houston's Nick Tammaro finished third. In fourth was Rob Rosette of Chandler, Calif; Alan Anthony of Woodbine, Md. secured fifth in the April 13 live bankroll contest at ...