Horse Racing
Greg Melikov
Articles
Giacomo Tries to Win Some Respect, Preakness
Giacomo is attempting on Saturday to become the seventh Kentucky Derby winner in nine years to capture the Preakness.
Who Do You Like in the Kentucky Derby?
A full field of 3-year-olds will make Saturday's 131st Kentucky Derby as competitive as other exciting races such as the 1987 running when Chris McCarron guided Alysheba to victory.
Run for the Roses: Beware of the No No's
There are trends involving the Run for the Roses that can't be dismissed when handicapping America's Race.
Can Sweet Catomine Follow Winning Colors?
Sweet Catomine tries to duplicate Winning Colors' feat in 1988 by capturing Saturday's Sana Anita Derby and then the Kentucky Derby on May 7.
Florida Derby Might Light the Way to Louisville
Thirty-seven horses that ran in the Florida Derby made it to Churchill Downs and 10 captured the Kentucky Derby.
It's a Long, Interesting Road to the Roses
Preps for the Kentucky Derby are picking up steam across the country.
The Shadow Roll Can Help a Horse
A piece of equipment you won't find in the past performances, but can prove quite helpful to a thoroughbred is the shadow roll.
How Gulfstream’s New Surfaces Are Playing
Gulfstream Park main and turf courses, renovated during the off-season are playing a bit differently, but speed still holds the upper hand in many cases.
Gulfstream Park Is Right on Track
Gulfstream Park will have its renovated surfaces ready for opening day -- Jan. 3. The main track is expanded to 1 1/8 miles while the turf course is completely redone.
How to Handicap Horses Coming Off Layoffs
What should you look for when handicapping horses coming off a layoff? There are many key points to consider, which include how the thoroughbred performs after a rest, short or long.
Keys to Handicapping the 21st Breeders’ Cup
Here is some important advice on handicapping the 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on Sataurday at Lone Star Park.
Festival of Sun Features Classy Filly
The 13th Festival of the Sun on Saturday features eight stakes worth $1.5 million at Calder Race Course.
An Inside Look at Lone Star Park
All eyes will be trained on Lone Star Park for the 21st Breeders' Cup on Oct. 31. So here's a simply guide to how the track plays.
Gulfstream Park: Racing Against Time
Gulfstream Park is in the midst of a massive renovation, but the expanded racing surfaces should be ready by opening day on Jan. 3.
The $1 million Travers, the oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds in America, is up for grabs with quite a few also-rans going for the gold.
Summit of Speed Rates ‘S’ for Super
The biggest day in racing for sprinters is July 10 when Calder Race Course features six stakes worth $1.75 million.
Smarty Jones Goes for the Gold
The race is on Sarturday for Smarty Jones, who seeks the Tiple Crown and the record earnings title in North America.
Does Smarty Jones Have a Date With Destiny?
Smarty Joes will try to accomplish who no horse has done in nearly three decades: Win the triple crown and remain unfeated.
Kentucky Derby Runners Do Well in the Preakness
Smarty Jones and five other 3-year-olds who chased him at Louisville stand the best chance of winning Saturday's Preakness at Pimlico.
Handicapping Hints for Kentucky Derby
The fullest field in two decades will go in the 130th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
The Final Four Preps on the Road to Louisville
It's getting down to the nitty gritty for 3-year-olds hoping to race in the Kentucky Derby as three of the last four major preps will be staged on Saturday,
Santa Anita Derby Should Answer Some Questions
April preps for the Kentucky Derby should help separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Road to Louisville Filled With Potholes
The Run to the Roses has been far from the Yellowbrick Road. Early contenders have flopped in the preps, so, far so the next three are real important.
Nine Challenge Read the Footnotes in Florida Derby
The 53rd Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park is attracted 10 horses hoping to continue down the Road to the Roses.
Funny Cide Is Serious About 2004
The $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park features the stakes debut for 4-year-old Funny Cide.
Remember Those High Flying Great Jockeys
When you list the great jockeys, several standouts immediately come to mind, including "The Master."
It appears Gulfstreasm Park will enjoy a banner meeting in 2004 because of several factors.
Big Changes in Store for Texas Racing in 2004
Racing in the Lone Star State changes dramatically in 2004 because of the Breeeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships being staged at Lone Star Park.
20th Breeders’ Cup Should Be Very Interesting
The 2003 Breeders's Cup worth $14 million in purses for eight races should produce some exciting results.
Festival of Sun Features the Undefeateds
Undefeated juveniles have a chance to set a couple of records for the Florida Stallion Stakes on the rich Festival of the Sun Card at Calder Race Course on Oct. 11.
Seabiscuit the Movie is just as good as Seabiscuit the book. Make that great! You'll enjoy the film whether ir not you read the book. View and enjoy like I did.
Calder Race Course is a sound proving ground for jockeys because those who do well in South Florida often become successful at other major trucks.
The Summit of Speed at Calder Race Course has become the most popular, rewarding stakes card for sprinters in the Sunshine State.
The first gelding to win the Kentucky Derby in 79 years can become the 12th horse to capture the Triple Crown.
The 129th Kentucky Derby is Empire Maker against the field. The favorite has a great deal going for him while much of his opposition can be eliminated by truisms.
The prospective field for the Kentucky Derby is shrinking, partly because of injuries. Three preps in April should eliminate more 3-year-olds hoping for May roses.
A walk on the backside of a race track is a must. It's especially pleasant if the facilities are spic and span. A track in south central Texas qualifies in the latter category.
There's a 3-year-old racing at Gulfstream Park who reminds me of a past champion who was terrific in sprints. This 3-year-old, however, has the breeding to win at routes.
It's time to decide on the Horse of the Year and only two deserve the honor for 2002. And the winner should be a filly -- Azeri.
Texas Hall of Fame Gala Family Affair
Slowly but surely the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame is raising money to erect a museum to preserve the industry's history in the Lone Star State.
The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships attracted the top horses to compete for $13 million in purses at Arlington Park an hour from Chicago.
Pure Luck and Some Horse Sense
It's really a small world. A case in point: the odds of three retired professionals from the communications field meeting in a restaurant in a small Central Florida town is are quite high.
First came Laura Hillenbrand's best-seller -- now comes the movie that will go into production in October and is scheduled for release in 2003.
The story of Charismatic and Chris Antley is one of success and heartbreak. The 3-year-old who many thought wasn't good enough to compete for the Triple Crown and the jockey who made his copmeback a winning venture.
War Emblem aims to become the 12th horse to capture the Triple Crown. Since the 1940s, quite a few 3-year-olds have tried to win the Belmont Stakes and failed. Will the son of Our Emblem triumph? I hope so.
The second leg of the Triple Crown should answer the question: Will War Emblem's speed hold up? We shall see.
It's time to select the winner and also-rans for the 128th Kentucky Derby.
The Passing Parade for the last year includes two veteran handicappers, a training legend in his own time and a man who was trhe backbone of Gulfstream Park's Coummincations Department. Platkin
The first major prep for the Kentucky Derby is the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The winners of Retama Park's Handicapping Contests love horse racing and showed a nice profit.
Lauren Hillenbrand's best seller "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" has done much for horse racing this year.
Handicapping contests are fun if not as rewarding, but you need much luck on your side to finish on top.
Workers ar South Florida racetracks are receiving help from a ministry, which in turn is being supported by a hospital and computer company.
Slowly but surely money is being raised to build the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame museum at Retama Park.
World Thoroughbred Championships 2001
The World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park offer some interesting wagering opportunities. Don't bet all chalk.
The 10th edition of the Festival of the Sun is Calder Race Course's premier day of stakes.
Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The Texas Horse Racng Hall of Fame gala will raise money to build a museum at Retama Park to honor horsemen and horses.
It's fun to bet on the ponies, but don't let gambling get out of hand because it's not for making a living.
The new name for the Breeders' Cup championships just doesn't wash in my book.
Gulfstream Park Enriches Stakes
Gulfstream Park's expanded 2002 meeting of 90 days will feature 50 stakes worth more than $7.2 million.
Dave Feldman was King of the Turf -- he did it all from training thoroughbreads to handicapping them.
The second annual Summit of Speed has attracted more than 20 sprint stars from around the nation to challenge the South Florida standouts at Calder Race Course.
Wagering on 2-year-olds can be lucrative, but you must take a variety iof factors in consideration.
The 133rd Belmont Stakes looks like a three horse race: A P Valentine, Point Given and Monarchos.
Hialeah Park, once known as the world's most beautiful race track, needs a miracle to survive.
The second jewel of the Triple Crown will have a smaller field than the Kentucky Derby, but should be as exciting.
Kentucky Derby 2001: Making a Point
The 127th Kentucky Derby will have a full field, but the key indicators to pick a winner point to one outstanding colt.
Gulfstream Park's Grand Plan is to transform the South Florida track into a racing/entertainment complex.
The 70th Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park could be a very interesting race and have an imacpo on the Kentuvcky Derby.
Gulfstream Closes, Hialeah Opens
Gulfstream Park ends its 2001 and Hialeah park opened on its home grounds for the first time since 1999, but this meeting might be its swan song.
Two key preps for the 127th Kentucky Derby are scheduled this week at southern tracks.
BRISnet.com is offering a valuable handicapping tool called the Custom Card that will benefit simulcast players.
Two of racing's irreplaceable icons passed away within a month of each other in the summer of 2000.
No trainer other than Bill Mott or Frank Passero Jr. has won the Gulfstream title since 1993.
The 2000 Horse of the Year most likely will be the late blooming 3-year-old Tiznow.
Stan Rosenthal was a man of the world who led an intriging life and loved horse racing.
Nasal strips for thoroughbreds were a big hit last year, but they've vanished as 2000 comes to an end.
Hialeah-Gulfstream Honeymoon Over
Hialeah Park's 2001 meeting will be staged at its home track instead of a Gulfstream Park.
Selecting winners in the Breeders' Cup races can be painful, especially if none your selections hit the board.
There are two contests starting in November that have caught my eye. Wish me luck!
This point and counter-point discussion centers on the use of Lasix on thoroughbreds.
Racing Form Adds Handicapping Features
The Daily Racing Form has added more handicapping features, but it will cost horseplayers a bit more.
Horses who get out of the gate slowly need to be worked to overcome tardiness at the break.
Julie Krone deserves to be in the National Racing Hall of Fame because she outshined quite a few male jockeys.
Long Layoffs Losing Proposition
Betting on horses who are bet down despite coming off long layoffs is a losing proposition.
The Vid, who thrilled South Florida racing fans for several years, is dead at age 10.
Handicapper Dave Feldman's book on horse racing is a pleasant mixture of great stories and good advice.
There's a 3-year-old who is making noise as a speedster and could end up the top dog among sprinters this year.
Stable Mail offered by the Daily Racing Form Online is most helpful when you want to keep track of horses.
The Horse Is an Interesting Animal
The horse has a long history and is quite an interesting animal.
When the local racing card doesn't look appetizing, you might try feasting on simulcast races.
Being a jockey is no cup of tea -- in fact, it is a most hazardous profession.
The contenders and the pretenders in the full field for the 126th Kentucky Derby.
John Henry: Steel Driving Champion
John Henry was a trouble-maker off the track, but a true champ once he was racing.
Calumet Farm's winning ways are only memories, but it remains a beautiful place to see in Lexington.
South Florida racing is being to reduced to only two tracks -- Gulfstream Park and Calder Race Course.
Trainers concerned about their unraced horses are scoping them to see if they bled during workouts.
The Daily Racing Form has a handicapper for all seasons who knows his stuff.
The Donn Handicap Then and Now
A look at Gulfstream Park's Donn Handicap then and now.
A horse breeder and owner has high hopes for a 2-year-old filly named for his adopted daughter.
Gulfstream Park is attempting to attract new fans with an innovative, interactive package.
A new bitless bridle being tested is easy on the thoroughbred's tender areas.
Here's my choice for Horse of the Year -- Artax, the fastest thoroughbred on the planet.
Nasal strips, usually reserved for humans, are being used on thoroughbreds to improve their breathing.
Retirement farms are spinging up for horses who miss out on breeding programs.
The Breeders’ Cup Championship
The 16th running of the Breeders' Cup Championship is Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Someday there may be more racing fans watching from home than at certain race tracks.
The first trip to Las Vegas may bring in the big bucks if the horses run my way.
In the spring any man's fancy turns to thoughts of horse racing at Keeneland.
Randy Romero has called it quits as a jockey, but he'll still hanging around the tracks.
Julie Krone: A Darn Good Jockey
Julie Krone retired after two decades, the winningest female jockey in history.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has done some good for the industry, but also some bad.
The Sire of Sires, Mr. Prospector, is dead at age 29 in horse years.
Churchill Downs and Frank Stronach are buying up tracks faster than the pace of the presidential campaigns.
Chris Antley loves the investment game almost as much as he loves riding horses.
The seating arrangements and prices available to "valued fans" for the 1999 Breeders' Cup races are out of this world.
The return of Arlington International Racecourse in 2000 will bolster the industry.
The long gone Tropical Park was the first legal race track in Florida even though Hialeah Race Course opened first.
Blood-Horse Interactive's Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century.
Fantasy Becomes Rewarding Reality
How would you like to win $114,000 playing fantasy horse racing?
Payson Park is a thoroughbred training facility where horses prepare for racing around the country.
Gulfstream officials didn't have the time of their lives.
How Gulfstream Park upgraded its drainage system.
Rainy day problems for Gulfstream Park linger on.
Better know the basics of handicapping or else.
Gulfstream Park has come a long way, baby.
One South Florida race track is sold, but another doesn't change hands.
Triple Crown winners haven't done well in match races.
Watch and listen to what the tote board says.
This thoroughbred was a Messeneger
Some tips on betting the races.
Citation and Cigar: Two Winners
So You Want to Buy a Racehorse
The National Thoroughout Racing Association has done some good and bad, plus one ugly presentation that shouldn't be repeated.
Thoroughbreds Making a Comeback