Archive for July 2016

2016 Haskell Invitational Preview

The richest race in New Jersey, the G1 $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational, serves as the focus of this piece.  The race gives its winner, should it want, a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic as a “Win and You’re In” race.  Wagering service Betfair serves as this race’s title sponsor. The race memorializes Amory L. Haskell... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
July 28, 2016 at 6:58 pm
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2016 Vanderbilt Handicap Day Stakes Preview

Summer at the Spa got underway last weekend, and now has reached full swing. This Saturday’s card features four graded stakes, headlined by the Vanderbilt (GI) for older sprinters.  Older grass routers also get their day in the sun in the Bowling Green (GII).  In addition to stakes for older runners, three-year-olds also have a... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
July 27, 2016 at 9:07 pm
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2016 Diana Stakes and Sanford Stakes Preview

“As surely as other pilgrims may seek to visit Jerusalem, every racing fan should aspire to see Saratoga.” — Andrew Beyer Picks & Ponderings won’t be making a physical appearance at Saratoga this week (though we did enjoy our jaunt to Indiana Grand).  What P&P will do is realize how so many others want to... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
July 20, 2016 at 6:14 pm
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Favorites FAMILY TREE and CUPID take Indiana's Graded Events

SHELBYVILLE, IN — Picks & Ponderings was on site.  The press box contained a numerous Chicago-based contingent.  The winning trainers of the stakes included names like Wayne Catalano and Michele Boyce.  The bugler was playing tunes after the call to the post. One would think we were doing a summer-time race at Arlington International, but... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
July 16, 2016 at 11:44 pm
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2016 Indiana Derby Day Preview

Summertime.  When the days are hazy, when the kids are out of school, and when amusement parks and water parks all over see their days bustle with patrons.  Summertime in horse racing means Del Mar (which opens this week) and Saratoga (which opens next week).  This week, Picks & Ponderings does something that also is... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
July 13, 2016 at 7:39 pm
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2016 Arlington Million Preview Day Recap

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Arlington Million season is upon us.  The Arlington International Festival of Racing is just five weeks away.  Today’s card at Arlington featured the four local prep races for the Festival races.  It gave the horses a chance to get a feel for the local course.  And, for anyone seriously considering a trip... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
July 9, 2016 at 11:19 pm
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2016 Million Preview Day, In Depth

We are five weeks out from the Arlington Million, and Saturday’s card features the four Grade III local prep races for Arlington’s biggest day.  The Arlington Handicap serves as the prep race for the Arlington Million (GI).  A bit more long-winded types get their day in the Stars and Stripes, the local prep for the... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
July 7, 2016 at 7:36 pm
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2016 Belmont Derby Preview

This piece is jointly submitted for Thorofan’s Handicapper’s Corner. Originally, this race was known as the Jamaica Handicap and named for the Jamaica Queens neighborhood of New York City and also paying homage to Jamaica Racetrack, the Jamaica was a dirt race until the early 1990s and earned a Grade One prefix in 2009.  In... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
July 7, 2016 at 1:27 pm
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