Subtleties in race grades can produce lucrative payoffs
Subtleties in race grades can produce lucrative payoffs

2023-05-24T17:41:55.934ZJ. Keeler Johnson

You might assume that a Grade 1 race is better than a Grade 2, and a Grade 2 is better than a Grade 3. That’s a good rule of thumb, but it doesn’t always hold true.
The Science of Horse Racing: We're All Ears
The Science of Horse Racing: We're All Ears

2023-05-21T14:00:02.488ZJennifer Kelly

Understanding the language of a horse’s ears as well as the impact of what they hear on their behavior can help us gain insight into our athletic partners on the track and off.
How Kentucky Derby Winners Have Fared in Preakness Stakes
How Kentucky Derby Winners Have Fared in Preakness Stakes

2023-05-20T13:37:00.000ZKellie Reilly

The 13 Triple Crown winners captured both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) en route to the Belmont (G1), but that just scratches the surface of the impact of the Run for the Roses on the middle jewel.
Watch out when route runners are actually sprinters
Watch out when route runners are actually sprinters

2023-05-17T14:22:05.765ZJ. Keeler Johnson

It’s not uncommon to see young horses run well in their first route race, only to falter in subsequent two-turn events. A single victory running long isn’t always indicative of a true route racer in the making.
Tall Tales of the Track: Bourbon, Bets, and the Beatles
Tall Tales of the Track: Bourbon, Bets, and the Beatles

2023-05-16T02:39:15.068ZJennifer Kelly

The combination of a well-timed swig of bourbon, a fortuitous wager, and a basement music club made history not just in horse racing, but also in rock and roll.
Betting Strategy: Free Roll for a Seat at the NHC
Betting Strategy: Free Roll for a Seat at the NHC

2023-05-13T19:27:11.577ZKevin Kilroy

The second of five free online qualifiers for the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) is set for this Sunday, May 14.
The Heart That Wears the Crown: War Admiral
The Heart That Wears the Crown: War Admiral

2023-05-12T19:43:33.379ZJennifer Kelly

Lofty expectations are laid upon the greats when they exit stage left to enter the next phase. When Man o’ War said goodbye to his life on the track, the focus then became on whether the 20th century’s greatest racehorse could produce another one like him. Whatever it was that made Big Red so dominant and so iconic had to be passed along to his progeny, but what would that look like?
When analyzing layoffs, sometimes basic handicapping trumps all
When analyzing layoffs, sometimes basic handicapping trumps all

2023-05-10T13:47:55.987ZJ. Keeler Johnson

There are many ways handicappers can gauge whether a horse is ready to win off a long layoff. One of the simplest is, has the horse shown the ability to win a race like the one you’re handicapping?
Kentucky Derby 2023 Purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn
Kentucky Derby 2023 Purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn

2023-05-06T15:00:00.000ZTwinSpires Staff

In addition to the worldwide attention and acclaim Sonny Leon received for his spectacular ride aboard Rich Strike, Leon—a first-time Derby participant in 2022—also collected a portion of the $3 million purse.
Top 10 fastest Kentucky Derby times in history
Top 10 fastest Kentucky Derby times in history

2023-05-06T05:00:00.000ZAshley Anderson

From a legendary Triple Crown winner to a high-priced yearling who stole the heart of a Japanese racing enthusiast, here are the 10 horses with the fastest winning times in Kentucky Derby history.
Top 10 Most Successful Trainers in Kentucky Derby History
Top 10 Most Successful Trainers in Kentucky Derby History

2023-05-06T04:45:00.000ZAshley Anderson

Based on overall number of victories, as well as second- and third-place finishes, here are the 10 most successful trainers in Kentucky Derby history.
Catching My Eye: Brian Hernandez Jr. and Reylu Gutierrez at Keeneland
Catching My Eye: Brian Hernandez Jr. and Reylu Gutierrez at Keeneland

2023-04-25T20:20:51.545ZKevin Kilroy

Two jockeys had big days at Keeneland on Saturday. Brian Hernandez Jr. won three races including piloting home 13-1 Aunt Becca, and Rey Gutierrez bagged two, most impressively aboard 12-1 Front Run the Fed.
When it comes to trainer stats, nuance matters
When it comes to trainer stats, nuance matters

2023-04-25T18:56:10.700ZJ. Keeler Johnson

Trainer stats are among the most valuable tools horseplayers have at their disposal. But a trainer’s overall win percentage is only one part of the story.