Welcome back to Horse Madness II, the quest for racing’s greatest Cinderella. Ironically, the bracket of upsets has been dominated by chalk, with all favorites advancing to the Elite 8. Some great matchups ahead, ripe with opportunities for upsets, so stayed tuned…

Canonero II v. Jim Dandy

This matchup is a face off between one of the most famous Cinderellas in the history of the sport (Jim Dandy) versus a great underdog with an unimaginable path to success in the 1971 Derby and Preakness. Continue reading Horse Madness II – Elite Eight: Canonero II v. Jim Dandy →

Share and Enjoy

Welcome back to the second round of Horse Madness 2016! We are through the play-in round, and an updated bracket is here: Horse Madness 2016.

Two more Cinderellas dancing in this madness: one a David to the Goliath that was Secretariat. The other, a hard-knocking stakes winner who finally achieved Breeders’ Cup success in his third attempt against a classy field and denying Goldikova a spot in the history books.

Continue reading Horse Madness II: Onion v. Court Vision →

Share and Enjoy

Welcome back to the second round of Horse Madness 2016!  We are through the play-in round, and an updated bracket is here:  Horse Madness 2016

Today we have a matchup of horses who ran in the Decade of Champions: the 1970s. Although both Cinderellas, Angle Light and Canonero could not be more different. Angle Light, was a Kentucky blue-blood with strong American connections, and a need-the-lead running style. Canonero II, was a sun of an Epsom Derby winner who got no love in the  auction ring and was sold as to a Venezuelan businessman, made left his best impression on American by his last to first triumph in the 1971 Kentucky Derby.

Continue reading Horse Madness II: Canonero v. Angle Light →

Share and Enjoy

Welcome back to the second round of Horse Madness 2016!  We are through the play-in round, and an updated bracket is here:  Horse Madness 2016

Today’s contest matches Number One seed Upset versus play-in winner Da’ Tara. Continue reading Horse Madness II Cinderella Bracket: Upset v. Da’ Tara →

Share and Enjoy

From Mary Lou to Tom; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways; Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.

It is often said that every night is a party in Saratoga. There is always something exciting going on, whether it’s Saturday Night at 11pm or Tuesday at 7:30. A perfect example of that is one of the biggest and most high-profile events during the Saratoga season was this past Monday and Tuesday evening: The Fasig-Tipton Select Yearlings Sales.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga – Fasig Tipton Sales →

Share and Enjoy

From Mary Lou to Tom; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways; Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.

Yes this is a Salute to Saratoga, but the traditions and institutions that make this place great are not limited the confines of the track. It is often said, to achieve greatness you have to be willing to go the extra mile. If you are looking to fill your belly and still have enough money to bet the pick six, that extra mile will lead you outside the Nelson Avenue entrance to place tucked under a pair of oak trees, which we lovingly call the “Grease Shack”.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–The Grease Shack →

Share and Enjoy

From Mary Lou to Tom; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways; Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.

In all sports, greatness is honored. Heroes are vaulted to a level of immortality by placing them in household names like Cooperstown and Canton. Thoroughbred horse racing is no different, and it makes sense that this sports history is honored in the town where it has been supported continuously for over 150 years. The National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs pays homage to the heroes and figures who made this great sport what it is.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame →

Share and Enjoy

From Mary Lou to Tom; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways; Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.

Tradition, legend, hero. All of these words conjure up the past, times gone bye and stories of “the good old days”. As we have discussed in prior posts, traditions and respect for the past are things that make Saratoga special. There are many things that are done at Saratoga “the old way”. It’s throw-back operation, where the past is honored.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–John’s Call →

Share and Enjoy

From Mary Lou to Tom; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways; Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.

Day 5:  Rachel Alexandra and the “Raising of the Rafters”

What would Salute to Saratoga be without some of the incredible horses who have made this place special over the years. There is a litany of Champions to choose from who raced at Saratoga to add to this list.  However, there are fewer who made their Championship-defining performances on the hallowed grounds of Saratoga race Course. In honor of #FillyFriday, and her offspring Rachel’s Valentina making her first start of her career on Sunday, today we salute Rachel Alexandra. A filly who captivated the Saratoga public for an entire 2009 season, and capped it off with a gritty, unparalleled performance to close out the meet in the Woodward.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–Rachel Alexandra →

Share and Enjoy