This is week six 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. This week is a huge one, with three stateside Kentucky Derby preps: the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, the... Continue Reading →
America’s Best Racing: Big Race Showdown, Sam F. Davis S.
It’s time for the third week 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. This week, we visit one of my favourite tracks in the country: Tampa Bay Downs. Head over... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2018 Sam F. Davis Stakes and Suncoast Stakes Preview
For the first time in a couple years, Picks and Ponderings won't be at the Sam F. Davis Stakes -- our foray south will instead happen a little later this winter, for the Tampa Bay Derby. However, being in Chicago won't stop us from previewing Saturday's pair of sophomore dirt stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, the Sam F. Davis... Continue Reading →
winter days in Tampa Bay
Last weekend, I headed back out to Tampa for a few days of horses and friends. A few of my pictures from my trip were published in my article at Brisnet. But, I got far more pictures than that...so come, take a look, and enjoy a long weekend at Tampa Bay Downs!
A Day at the Races: Tampa Bay Downs
Last week, I returned to one of my favourite tracks: Tampa Bay Downs. Over at Brisnet, I talk about my trip in words and pictures. The big races of the weekend were the graded stakes on Saturday, and you'll certainly see the likes of McCraken and Isabella Sings here. But, you'll also see the other race... Continue Reading →
a scene from a friendly track
The first word that comes to mind when describing Tampa Bay Downs is friendly. I got that feeling when I visited the track last year. Strangers would come up to me to talk horses, and by the end of the weekend, I felt comfortable striking up some equine small talk with whoever happened to be next... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2017 Sam F. Davis Stakes Day Preview
Saturday's card at Tampa Bay Downs features four stakes races, including Tampa's first Derby prep of the year, the Sam F. Davis (G3). In addition to the Davis, sophomore fillies get their chance to go two turns on the dirt in the Suncoast Stakes. Older turf routers also get their due in a pair of... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Tampa Bay Derby Preview
Saturday's features the richest race of the season at Tampa Bay Downs: the Tampa Bay Derby (GII). The race drew a competitive field of ten runners, including the top three from the local prep, the Sam F. Davis. It also features the return of Brody's Cause, who won the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland last fall.... Continue Reading →
a weekend in Tampa Bay
Of course, the one weekend when this winter in Chicago finally felt like winter, I had flown south. It was for good reason, though, despite my preference for the cold. I visited Tampa Bay from Thursday, February 11 through Sunday, February 14, and spent most of my waking hours at Tampa Bay Downs. The main... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: Illinois-breds in Tampa!
Yesterday at Picks and Ponderings, I published my analysis of the stakes races on Saturday's excellent card. Today, I took a look at the pair of Illinois-bred runners in Saturday's stakes races: Lovely Loyree in the Endeavour and Missalaney in the Suncoast. I chatted today with trainers Michele Boyce (Lovely Loyree) and David Hinsley (Missalaney)... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Sam F. Davis Day Stakes Preview
This Saturday, Tampa Bay Downs has one of its biggest cards of the year: Sam F. Davis day. In addition to the Grade III local prep for the Tampa Bay Derby, the card features three other stakes races: the Suncoast for three-year-old fillies, the Tampa Bay Stakes (GIII) for older turf routers, and the Endeavour... Continue Reading →
Blinkers Off hits the road!
In less than two weeks, Blinkers Off will hit the road to Tampa Bay! No...not for good, only for a few days. I will be heading down to Tampa Bay from February 11 through 14 for Sam F. Davis weekend. Nominations have come out forr that Saturday's four stakes races, as well as a prep... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: weekend stakes previews!
Big 'Cap Weekend is a big weekend all over the country, and Picks and Ponderings has stakes previews from coast to coast. Santa Anita has five stakes on the card; between me and Paul Mazur, we preview them all. I take a look at the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (GI), the San Felipe Stakes (GII),... Continue Reading →
a change of plans for Ocean Knight
Though Ocean Knight (Ocean Goddess, by Stormy Atlantic) raced last in the Sam F. Davis (GIII) at Tampa Bay Downs, the original plan was that he would be shipping north for the Gotham Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct. Instead, it was announced today that he is staying south, and will race in the Tampa Bay Derby... Continue Reading →
back from their layoffs
Over the weekend, three Curlin babies made their first starts off of sizable layoffs. One of them fell off the Derby trail early, and finally started again for the first time in a year. Another had a fraught journey down the Oaks trail, tried turf once in August, and then spent six and a half... Continue Reading →
