Alastair Bull
Alastair Bull has been writing on sports and horse racing for many years. Starting in his home near Auckland, New Zealand as news editor for several papers and since contributing for BloodHorse, The Associated Press and Churchill Downs, Inc after relocating to Cleveland, Ohio. Other sporting events Alastair has enjoyed covering are the 2012 London Olympics, Dubai World Cup, Melbourne Cup, Royal Ascot, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National.
Hong Kong: A Happy Valley pick for April 8
Alastair Bull takes a look at race 8 on Happy Valley's midweek race card.
Racing
Hong Kong Play at Happy Valley for March 31
Elusive State can go back-to-back in the highly competitive Cuckoo Handicap at Sha Tin’s all-weather race meet on Wednesday.
Racing
The best horse to play in the 2021 Hong Kong Derby
#7 Russian Emperor was bred to be a Derby winner. This weekend he may become one – just not in the one originally envisaged.
Racing
Hong Kong Play for Happy Valley March 17
A rise in class may not be enough to stop the winning run of Gallant Crown in the Hereford Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley.
Racing
Hong Kong Play for Happy Valley March 10
Wind N Grass could be over the odds when he contests the first version of the Baker Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Racing
Hong Kong Play for March 3
The value bets for players will probably be in the combinations. A Savaquin-Sunny Star quinella looks like an excellent play, while a trifecta including several other runners to finish third looks a value bet.
Racing
Tennis: Federer looms once again in Noventi Open
The grass season is in full swing in the lead-up to Wimbledon come mid-June, and for the Noventi Open at Halle, that usually means Roger Federer.
The Swiss ace has been nearly as dominant at the German grass tournament as Rafael Nadal has been at t ...
Tennis
How Top 10 Stanley Cup Odds Leaders Fared in 2019 Season
The 10 teams with the shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup at the beginning of the 2018-19 season all made the playoffs, but from there, it’s been unpredictable. With the Stanley Cup Final now set , the Boston Bruins (+1100 at season's start) are ...
NHL
Tennis: French Open Betting Preview
Can anyone beat Rafael Nadal?
As it has been for the past 14 years, this is the only question for punters heading into the French Open.
French Open Free Picks:
Men's Play : Rafael Nadal (+110), Dominic Thiem (+500)
Women's Play : Kiki ...
Tennis
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second Round Full of Intrigue
The wildness that marked the first round of the NHL playoffs has calmed a little in the second, but it has been very tight, with only one series not square after four games. There is a very real prospect that the Eastern Conference Finals will be ...
NHL
A Moment in Time – October 14, 1978
Two Triple Crown winners dramatically beaten
For the first, and to date only, time in U.S. horse racing history, the Triple Crown was won in successive years in 1977 and 1978. The horses in question: Seattle Slew, the first horse to be unbeaten ...
Racing
A Moment in Time: November 2, 1993
The Melbourne Cup goes international
Most people in Thoroughbred racing around the world knew about the Melbourne Cup before 1993. But it was anything but international. True, horses bred or trained in one foreign country – nearby New Zealand – ...
Racing
2017: The 10 best races of the year
1) T J Smith Stakes (6 furlongs, G1, April 1, Randwick, $1.9 million) Throughout his career, Chautauqua has frequently come from last in six-furlong sprints with flying late runs to win in a manner which looked impossible. Among other races it earne ...
Racing
2017 Year in Review: 10 Best Horses
Arrogate It’s a shame Arrogate ended 2017 so badly. He lost a lot of luster in his three defeats at Del Mar, finishing behind horses such as Cat Burglar, Donworth, and War Story. Whether it was the Del Mar track, or whether he simply wasn’t as goo ...
Racing
Moments In Time: October 28, 1994 - Cigar
October 28, 1994 would have seemed like just another day at the races for anyone who went to Aqueduct Racetrack in New York. Four claiming races on dirt, two maiden special weights, one allowance on turf, and two one-mile allowances on dirt. Nobody ...
Racing
Danon Premium favored in Asahi Hai Futurity
Unbeaten colt Danon Premium could give trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida his first grade one victory when he contests the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) for 2-year-olds at Hanshin racecourse Dec. 17. One of two colts in the field by champion sire Deep Impact, D ...
Racing
Orfevre pair fancied in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
Two fillies from the first crop of 2011 Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre are among those vying for favoritism in the Dec. 10 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the only grade one race for 2-year-old fillies in Japan. Orfevre (Stay Gold), who was unfortun ...
Racing
Big challenge for Stormy Liberal in Hong Kong Sprint
Californian speedster Stormy Liberal pulled off a major upset when he left Marsha and Lady Aurelia, both group one winners in Britain, in his wake in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). But he faces just as tough a task if he is to travel across the ...
Racing
Breeders' Cup Turf rematch set for Hong Kong Vase
European runners have dominated the $2.3 million Hong Kong International Vase (G1) since the 1 ½-mile race was first run in 1994, and with Talismanic and Highland Reel in this year’s contest they may well do so again. The pair fought out the finish ...
Racing
Hong Kong Cup win would be sweet for Werther
Hong Kong racing fans will be hoping their outstanding horse Werther can see off a strong international challenge in the $3.2 million Hong Kong International Cup at Sha Tin Dec. 10. The New Zealand-bred by Tavistock won at group two level in Austral ...
Racing
O'Brien faces strong local challenge in Hong Kong Mile
Aidan O’Brien brings two genuine group one horses to Sha Tin for the $2.95 million Hong Kong International Mile (G1), but he’s got history and a strong local team against him Dec. 10. O’Brien will start Lancaster Bomber and Roly Poly in the race, bo ...
Racing
Open look to Japan's Champions Cup
Japan’s leading dirt horses get two opportunities at grade one level in a year, and one of them is this weekend. The Champions Cup (G1), formerly the Japan Cup Dirt, is held at Chukyo racecourse over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) Dec. 3, and form ...
Racing
Champagne Room favored in Bayakoa Handicap
Sixth in a high-quality edition of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), Champagne Room is seeking some compensation in the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa Handicap (G2) at Los Alamitos Dec. 3. Champagne Room won the Eclipse Award for champion 2-year-old filly last y ...
Racing
Demoiselle runner-up returns in Go For Wand Handicap
After an abbreviated 2017 campaign, Jamyson ‘n Ginger is out to score her first graded stakes win in the one-mile Go For Wand Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct Dec. 2. Jamyson ‘n Ginger was one of the better 2-year-old fillies last year, finishing fifth in ...
Racing
Great opportunities at Claiming Crown
While there are grade one races and prep races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks this weekend, some of the best betting opportunities are at the Claiming Crown meeting at Gulfstream Park. The day features nine rich races for claiming horses. All the C ...
Racing
Practical Joke out to extend one-turn record in Cigar Mile
With stallion duty at Ashford Stud looming next year, leading 3-year-old Practical Joke aims to end his career unbeaten around one turn in the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct. Practical Joke has run well without winning in two-turn races all year, his e ...
Racing
Catholic Boy off turf to contest Remsen Stakes
High-quality turf colt Catholic Boy becomes an intriguing addition to the horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when he contests the 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Dec. 2. Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) contested his first three races ...
Racing
Servis pair take on Wonder Gadot in Demoiselle Stakes
Promising fillies Daisy and Maurer Power give trainer John Servis a strong hand in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Dec. 2. Daisy (Blame) and Maurer Power (Violence) both come into the race unbeaten in two starts. Daisy’s resume is the stronge ...
Racing
Cambodia seeks first grade one in Matriarch
Third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, leading mare Cambodia is out for her first grade one victory in the Matriarch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 26. Cambodia has improved throughout her 5-year-old season, winning the Gallorette Stakes (G3), ...
Racing
Local team could be too strong in Japan Cup
Four foreign invaders have arrived to try and wrest the $5.1 million Japan Cup (G1) from the locals for the first time since 2005 – but they’ll have to beat a strong local team in the 1 ½-mile contest to do so. Coming in to challenge the Japanese ho ...
Racing
Strong undercards at Del Mar Thanksgiving weekend
The Hollywood Derby and the Matriarch Stakes are the big races at Del Mar this Thanksgiving weekend, but there’s also four other graded stakes for punters to have a serious look at. The Native Diver Stakes (G2) sees the return of Mubtaahij to the tr ...
Racing
Graded races around North America this weekend
Churchill Downs and Del Mar take center stage in racing this Thanksgiving weekend, but there’s no shortage of top quality racing around North America for players to look at. Graded races will be held at Aqueduct, Golden Gate, Hawthorne, and Woodbine ...
Racing
Deep field contests Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
Champagne Stakes (G1) third-place finisher Enticed heads a Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) field strong in numbers and potential at Churchill Downs Nov. 25. Fourteen horses are entered for the race, which carries qualifying points on the Road to th ...
Racing
Samurai looks Sharp for Hollywood Derby
Sharp Samurai has had the wood over the West Coast turf 3-year-olds this year, but he’ll have to beat some eastern invaders to win the 1 1/8-mile Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 25. The First Samurai gelding has won four consecutive stakes race ...
Racing
Unbeaten Monomoy Girl heads Golden Rod Stakes
Monomoy Girl attempts to extend her unbeaten record to four, and enhance her Kentucky Oaks credentials, when she contests the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 25. The Tapizar filly has won all three of her starts comfortably, and at he ...
Racing
Diversify seeks second grade one in Clark Handicap
Held back from the Breeders’ Cup Classic despite winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park, Diversify gets his chance at a second grade one victory in the 1 1/8-mile Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Nov. 24. Diversify had won six of his ...
Racing
Solid challenge awaits Daddys Lil Darling
After a busy, varied, and at times frustrating year, Daddys Lil Darling is once again seeking her first graded stakes triumph as a 3-year-old. The Scat Daddy filly is the likely favorite for the 1 1/16-mile Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs ...
Racing
Hollywood Turf Cup could be Flamboyant
Flamboyant hasn’t won for 21 months, but his form is as good as any of his rivals in the 1 ½-mile Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar Nov. 24. The former French galloper won two consecutive graded stakes races at Santa Anita in early 2016. He hasn’t ...
Racing
Actress, Miss Sky Warrior dominate Comely Stakes
Proven class is always worth following when trying to assess a race, and that’s what Miss Sky Warrior and Actress have in their favor in the 1 1/8-mile Comely Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct Nov. 24. Actress has only won once in six s ...
Racing
Responsibleforlove set for Red Carpet
Third at grade one level on her last racecourse outing, Responsibleforlove should appreciate the drop in class when she contests the 1 3/8-mile Red Carpet Handicap (G3) on the Del Mar turf Nov. 23. Responsibleforlove was less than a length behind th ...
Racing
Dude has another crack at Fall Highweight Handicap
Defeated in a close finish in the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) last year, the seemingly ageless Stallwalkin’ Dude is out to make amends in 2017. The 7-year-old gelding was just nabbed near the line last year by Heaven’s Runway, to whom he was conce ...
Racing
Copper set to be Shining in River City Handicap
Shining Copper heads to Churchill Downs this Thanksgiving to seek his first graded stakes victory in the 1 1/8-mile River City Handicap (G3) on turf. The Irish-bred was one of the better turf gallopers in 2015, finishing fourth in the United Nations ...
Racing
Faithfully, Money'soncharlotte head Falls City Handicap
Denied twice in California this year, Faithfully heads east to search for her first graded stakes triumph in the Falls City Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving Day. The Smart Strike filly stepped up to stakes company for the first time ...
Racing
Thanksgiving could be Chublicious
Thursday is a day for giving thanks, and for the six-furlong Thanksgiving Handicap Stakes at Fair Grounds. So which runner can give you extra reason to be thankful courtesy of a wise investment? On a day where tasty food is part of the celebration, ...
Racing
Lessons from tough Breeders' Cup for punters
OK, hands up – who out there thought Mor Spirit, Moonshine Memories, Unique Bella, Lady Aurelia, Lady Eli, Drefong, and Bolt d’Oro would all be beaten at the Breeders’ Cup? It’s not often that only two one of the 13 Breeders’ Cup favorites win, as h ...
Racing
Many chances in Japan's Mile Championship
High-quality 4-year-old Air Spinel may be set to break through for his first grade one victory in the Mile Championship at Kyoto Nov. 19. Air Spinel (King Kamehameha) wasn’t far away in the Japanese classics last year, and this year has done well ca ...
Racing
Frost King Stakes headed by Be Vewy Vewy Quiet
The previous stakes experience of Be Vewy Vewy Quiet suggests he will be very tough to beat in the seven-furlong Frost King Stakes at Woodbine Nov. 18. Be Vewy Vewy Quiet (Silent Name) has been very competitive in each of his four starts to date, al ...
Racing
Ms Bad Behavior well placed in Desi Arnaz Stakes
Beaten by two of the best juvenile fillies in California this season, Ms Bad Behavior should enjoy easier company when she seeks her first stakes victory in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 18. The Ontario-bred from the Richard Ba ...
Racing
Delta Prince well fancied in Artie Schiller Stakes
Delta Prince gets a good chance to win his first stakes race when he takes on a good field in the one-mile Artie Schiller Stakes on the Aqueduct turf Nov. 18. Delta Prince hasn’t run much in 2017, but he’s looked good when he did. After an allowance ...
Racing
Four stakes kick off Fair Grounds 2017-18 meet
The important Fair Grounds winter meeting kicks off Nov. 18, the beginning of five months of racing that includes major preps for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. It’s a meeting to watch current stars, and future stars; the most notable in the ...
Racing