Thanks in no small part to our excellent seats in the shade, I had quite a nice Belmont day, which is presumably more than can be said for Big Brown . (I should note that thanks also go to Ventura , Zaftig , J Be K , Silver Edition and Dancing Forever for making our day fairly profitable). Yes, the heat...

It's not quite a Breeders' Cup card, but there is a lot to like on the Belmont undercard. There are some interesting betting races but I am most looking forward to seeing some of my favorite horses in action. True North Handicap Rick Dutrow's other favorite on the card, Benny the Bull , is...

I don't believe that post position is usually much of a factor in the Belmont; while in theory Big Brown could get boxed in behind traffic from the 1, he should have enough natural ability to overcome such adversity. However, the strategy in the Belmont often seems to be to get the favorite to run...

It would certainly be a longshot, but his sire and trainer both have a history of Belmont upsets....( read more )

While much of the news over the long weekend focused on Big Brown's latest quarter crack (Fran's HoofBlog will be getting more details direct from his farrier later in the week, so keep checking for updates), the rumors over who will ride Casino Drive continue to swirl. Garrett Gomez is now definitely...

BIG BROWN – IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown , the emphatic 4 ¾- length winner of the 134th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), had an easy morning at Barn 22 following his victory in the “Run for the Roses.” read more

ADRIANO – Trainer Graham Motion sent his Lane’s End Stakes (GII) winner to the Churchill Downs racetrack Friday morning for a 1½-mile gallop under Alice Clapham in preparation for Saturday’s 134th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. read more

The last timed work for a horse entered in Kentucky Derby 134 was turned in Thursday by morning-line favorite Big Brown, who covered three furlongs in :35.40. The 35.40 was a bit faster than the :36 to :37 range Dutrow talked about Wednesday, but he said the time wasn’t a problem. read more

The Smooth Air team has been riding various waves of emotion this week, as can be expected when participating in the Kentucky Derby for the first time. Stutts, 70, and his wife Dianne attended the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders Derby Traine read more

Speaking from Belmont Park where he was overseeing the New York division of his stable, trainer Todd Pletcher stated Monday morning that the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (GII) winner would bypass the Kentucky Derby and instead point for the Preakness Stakes two weeks later. read more