HorseRacingNation.com NewsWire

2013 Triple Crown: The Quest Continues

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:17 GMT

It’s never a topic that I look forward to diving back into. But, now that the bid for the next Triple Crown is off the table, here we go again. It has now been 35 years since Affirmed was crowned. What that means as it relates to 2013 is that we still find ourselves in the exact same place; a very long drought.

The first ever Triple Crown champion was Sir Barton in 1919, 44 years after the Kentucky Derby began and the Triple Crown prize became available. Since that time we have seen 10 other 3-yr-olds overcome the “Test of a Champion”. Within these historic achievements however, never has there been a time where so many years passed before we celebrated again. The grueling drought has been tested over the last 35 years but because the riddle has yet to be solved, the current dry spell has now been pushed to 11 years longer than any other.

Ahead of Secretariat changing the sport in 1973 you have to go back to Citation in 1948 to find the last Triple Crown winner. Over those 24 long years a total of 7 horses won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Sta

Preakness 2013: A Deep Closer Approach Can Be Risky

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:41:44 GMT

In the days and weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby the discussion regarding the racing style of the top contenders always comes up. It’s a fun conversation so let’s carry it into Preakness 2013. In recent years the winner of the Preakness Stakes would be described as either a Stalker, Front Runner or sometimes Closer. As for the Deep Closer that's a style that brings us to one important horse in particular, the 2013 Kentucky Derby Champion Orb.

Now before I go any further let me begin by stating that I think Orb has a better shot at the Triple Crown then the horses I’m about to compare him to. Furthermore, I believe that Orb is versatile enough to win from anywhere off the pace. His closer style of racing has taken him this far so I think that it can take him to the winners circle at Pimlico as well.

But, since I am rooting for Orb there is one style of racing that makes me just a little bit nervous. I know he used it against the 19 horse field in the Kentucky Derby and it worked like a charm. However, I am somewhat weary about a deep close in the Preakness Sta

Preakness 2013 - Can You Win After Skipping the Derby?

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:19:16 GMT

Following the 1982 Kentucky Derby, the connections for the winner, Gato Del Sol, made a very surprising decision. For the first time in 23 years the Kentucky Derby winner would by-pass the second jewel and rest instead for the Belmont Stakes. The absence of Gato Del Sol took away the chance of a Triple Crown but it also introduced us to Aloma’s Ruler, a horse that skipped the Kentucky Derby.

The following year Sunny’s Halo made it to Pimlico to race in the Preakness Stakes but the Kentucky Derby winner was not able to carry his win streak into the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. As a substitute story line we were once again introduced to another winner that did not run in the Kentucky Derby. This time it was Deputed Testamony, a Maryland Bred that proved he didn’t need the Kentucky Derby in order to win on his home turf.

Since 1983 however, the rare feat has remained somewhat unusual as only 3 of the last 29 Preakness Stakes winners skipped the Kentucky Derby. Although it has occurred twice in the last eight years I recommend we look at whom two

Kentucky Derby: The Picks are Revolutionary

Wed, 01 May 2013 23:26:38 GMT

Happy Derby Week racing fans! The long and exciting trail to the Kentucky Derby is drawing to a close. But, this stage of the journey is always the most exciting because it is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Throughout the prep season I haven’t been overly vocal about my Kentucky Derby rankings, contenders or choices but as of right now that is no longer the case. It's derby week and the 139^th Kentucky Derby is here so let’s dive in…….

As opposed to the standard Kentucky Derby field this year’s crop of 3-yr-olds doesn’t seem to carry a clear cut favorite. This is why I looked for a horse that has the experience factor. But, past performances did not mean that I would choose your number if all you have accomplished is loading into the gate and crossing the finish line. Instead, I favored the horses that have shown me their willingness to compete since the Juvenile season, raced against top class and finished strong on more than one occasion. This is especially true if it was against graded stakes fields that included more than one Kentucky Derby entry or top

Kentucky Derby 2013: The Quest for Winning Your First

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:02:11 GMT

The Kentucky Derby makes a resounding case as the number one race in the world. It stands out as the most recognizable, because of its rich history, traditions and legendary champions. The popularity has increased so much it has now become a global sporting event that attracts athletes from all over the world. The battle for the next Triple Crown begins here, and because this main event carries so much weight everybody wants to win.

It’s the one race that every jockey, trainer and owner have on their list. I’m willing to bet that it’s the number race on all of those lists. For anyone that dedicates their careers to thoroughbred racing it’s the race that everyone also wants to experience. But, once you catch the derby fever, it then becomes the one race you need to win before you step away.

Nobody likes losing, and that includes the fans. But, one thing that softens the blow when you throw away your losing tickets, is the sight of someone winning their first. The closest I ever came to a first time winner was in 2011 when Johnny V galloped Animal King

Verrazano and Govenor Charlie Aim to Change History

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:58:55 GMT

“Records are meant to be broken.” Although the statistics generally prove that statement to be an accurate measurement of triumphs yet to be shattered, there are always going to be new records waiting. And for some, they have been waiting for quite a long time. When it comes to the Kentucky Derby the great Secretariat still stands as the fastest that ever was. His winning time of 1:59.40 has been challenged but no horse has ever been able to finish any better than the greatest Triple Crown champion of all time. Until that happens, the old saying will be exactly that; an old saying.

Records are one thing and so called trends are another. Trends in sports can sometimes be short lived and therefore quickly forgotten. Others however seem as though they will never end and eventually become known as a curse. America’s past time is a prime example. The Boston Red Sox endured a drought for far too long, but they eventually reached their limit and came roaring out of their hole in 2004 for the first time in 86 years. As for the Chicago Cubs their drought has reached 105 years, an

Kentucky Derby Trends: Third Race is No Longer a Charm

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:02:52 GMT

Trainers have shifted their strategy these days in regards to how often they race their Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Throughout history, any horse that entered the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby for only their 3rd race of the year was at an extreme disadvantage. Betting against a horse that had very little sophomore season experience used to be as solid as it gets.

But then came 2007. Before, it was very rare that a horse who had raced fewer than 3 times as a 3-year-old would win the Kentucky Derby. In fact, between 1984 and 2006 it never happened.

Sunny's Halo won the roses after only racing twice before the first Saturday in May (Won Rebel and Arkansas) but it eventually happened again. However, since that was accomplished in 2007, it hasn't changed. That's six years in row. Will 2013 make it seven?

Kicking off this recent recipe for success was Street Sense trained by Carl Nafzger. After winning the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the champion colt waited until St. Patrick's Day to make his 3-yr-old debut. After winning the Tampa Bay D

Riders Up: Kentucky Derby Jockey Choices and Changes

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:33:33 GMT

As it is every year at this time, Jockey’s and their agents are fast at work. The long road to the first Saturday in May gives a jockey the chance to jump into the saddle on numerous hopefuls and contenders. But, as we know, the long road can lead to more failed attempts than actual mounts.

Between injury and qualification standards no contender is a lock to make the field of 20 until they load into the starting gate. Even then, there is still no guarantee. But, that’s what the Kentucky Derby is all about for a jockey; a horse to ride and a chance to win. Therefore, jockeys and their agents can only hope that they land the right horse early on and never disappoint the connections along way. Because that is tough to do, a jockey must always stick to the plan and try to develop as many winning connections as possible.

For the accomplished and veteran jockeys, this approach eventually leads to a mount after their loyalty to another horse fizzles and the trail comes to an end. While there is always speculation that a mount won’t come their way, this year is proof tha

Kentucky Derby Points: 20 is No Longer Enough

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:05:10 GMT

Coming into today, 20 points was a very interesting total and carried the potential to set off a wild string of events. Before the Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby, there were seven Triple Crown nominated horses tied for 17th place in the Kentucky Derby point standings with 20. As a result, if today’s preps ended with 20 points still being enough to qualify for even a single post position then a familiar qualifying measure would have been forced back into play.

Under the new Kentucky Derby qualifying system, if there is ever a tie for the final post position, or positions, then earnings in non-restricted graded stakes races serve as the tie-breaker. Now, if this tie-breaker rule had to be used, then we would be in for an exciting Wild Card Series.

Up next are the final qualifying races or “Wild Card Races” via the Coolmore Lexington Stakes and Derby Trial. The way those points are awarded is that the top finishers, 1 through 4, earn 20-8-4-2. Just for fun, let’s say that the winners that emerged from these two races were derby hopefuls that had yet to score a single point

The Best of the Rest

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:39:15 GMT

I’m not implying that the top contender for the 2013 Kentucky Derby has already been found. Albeit a very healthy group of top level entries have already rested their case, the major preps will not conclude until this weekend. The closing arguments for Orb, Verrazano, Goldencents and Revolutionary were compelling. From derby hopefuls to legitimate post time favorites they, along with their connections, closed their trail to the Kentucky Derby with a bang. But again, I won’t say that the best is among them; not yet at least.

On Saturday we revisit Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby before we realize how close we are to the first Saturday in May and we circle back to Kentucky for the always coveted Blue Grass Stakes. The thrill of the prep season comes when you think you’ve found the horse that will eventually wear the roses. That moment may have already arrived but as long as there are major prep races to be run, an aha moment may still be waiting.

So who is the best of the remaining derby hopefuls that are prepared to present their closin