Welcome back to the Twelve Days of Curlin Babies, where we celebrate the twelve most memorable races from Curlin’s progeny throughout 2018. Through all the hundreds of races in which they ran this year, these are the ones to which my mind keeps wandering back. #12: Timeless Curls Marks Herself a Rising Star#11: Secret Passage Comes... Continue Reading →
Breeders’ Cup, All In One Place
Here's where you can find links to all my Breeders' Cup work! My race previews, in detail, are over at Picks and Ponderings. There are separate pieces for Friday and Saturday; between them, I discuss every race. I also discuss my thoughts on several of the races, and several of the more general themes of... Continue Reading →
Justify the Hype
One ukulele, one pile of past performances, no shame. I may be standing tall against Justify in the Derby tomorrow, but that doesn't mean I couldn't write a song about him.
America’s Best Racing: Big-Race Showdown – A Kentucky Oaks-Derby Double
This is week twelve of Big Race Showdown at America’s Best Racing: where I clash heads with six awesome handicappers (Emily Gullikson, Candice Hare, Dan Tordjman, Brian Zipse, Eric Bialek, and Mark DiLorenzo) to see who can stay the hottest through Derby prep season. Heading into the Kentucky Derby, I've got a slim lead in bankroll, though Emily is right on my tail. We... Continue Reading →
2018 Kentucky Derby Preview and Saturday Stakes Selections
We've been following the trail all the way, but now, the Kentucky Derby is finally here. The field is drawn, with twenty main entries plus one also-eligible. The field is competitive, with a little something for everybody: fountains of raw talent yet to be forged in the fire, hard-trying and plucky sorts who have yet... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2018 Kentucky Oaks Preview
Kentucky Derby week is here. As always, Picks and Ponderings is on top of it. This piece focuses on Friday's action. We'll have a horse-by-horse look at the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, which drew a full field of fourteen. The weather calls for some rain on Friday, so we'll take that into account, and make... Continue Reading →
ceci n’est pas une Handicap de Chicago
This afternoon, Finley'sluckycharm extended her four-year-old record to a perfect three-for-three with a win in the Chicago Handicap (G3). The 3/10 betting favourite, she got to the lead quickly after the break and rated well despite Kathballu and Covey Trace pressing at her throatlatch early. Kathballu dropped away; Covey Trace pressed the issue into the... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: Kentucky Derby Point/Counterpoint
Over at Picks and Ponderings, Paul Mazur and I have tackled the Kentucky Derby field! As always we go horse-by-horse, point/counterpoint. Some horses, we see fairly similarly. Others, we disagree on. As always, we're full of both information and snark. In addition, I share my picks -- including longshots -- in all the stakes races this... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2017 Kentucky Oaks Preview
Kentucky Derby week is officially underway! Friday's card at Churchill Downs features the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, as well as five other undercard stakes races. I preview the Oaks in depth over at Picks and Ponderings, and will post my selections and longshots for the other stakes races as I finish handicapping them. As always,... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Clark Handicap Preview
The weekend's action continues Friday with the first Grade I of the weekend: the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs! The race drew a field of ten this year...strong, top to bottom. It should also be a good betting race, particularly because the morning line favourite is one of the most dependable "use underneath only!" horses... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Falls City Handicap and River City Handicap Preview
Every year, Picks and Ponderings does a Thanksgiving Handicapping Feast. This year, it gets underway with a pair of graded stakes at Churchill: the Falls City and the River City. Both races drew some familar local faces. The River City, a turf route for open company, drew The Pizza Man...and a very intriguing Illinois-bred on... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Commonwealth Turf Preview
This Saturday's feature at Churchill Downs is the Grade III Commonwealth Turf Stakes. It is one of the last chances for the sophomore turf set to run against their own age group...and one of the last chances for live stakes-quality turf racing in the midwest before winter sets in. The race drew a competitive field... Continue Reading →
Kentucky Derby Day!
The Derby is upon is, and I've got picks and analysis! Over at Picks and Ponderings, I join Paul Mazur and Chris Hernandez to discuss every horse in the field: our picks, our tosses, and everyone in between. For more detailed analysis with an eye to pace, read my piece at ShapperDaCapper. My picks have... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Kentucky Oaks Preview
Coming up this Saturday, the three-year-old fillies get the spotlight in the Kentucky Oaks. What people thought for months would be a straightforward affair became far more complex with the defection of the champion, Songbird. Though not seeing her will be a disappointment...those who like to wager will get a minefield of a race, the... Continue Reading →
Pace and the 2016 Kentucky Derby
Though the Kentucky Derby won't be drawn until Wednesday, it's not too early to start looking at the likely pace scenario. With twenty horses in the field, all three-year-olds young enough to still develop, it will not be cut-and-dried. But, we have enough information to identify which horses will likely play certain roles, and which... Continue Reading →
