August Belmont II: The Man Who Bred Man o’ War
How many men in the history of horse racing can claim to have bred the greatest colt and the greatest filly of their time?...
Legends
Posted May 18th, 2020 ·
J. Keeler Johnson
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse.
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse.
A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. Johnson writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners and is the founder of the horse racing website www.theturfboard.com.
343 Stories
What’s in a (Race) Name? The Man Behind the Derby
There is no horse race more iconic in the United States than the Kentucky Derby, a race that has been contested every year without a miss since 1875. Held at Churchill Downs, the prestigious race...
Legends
Posted April 22nd, 2020 ·
Lexington: Great Racehorse and Great Sire
The city of Lexington, Ky., has long been considered the center of Thoroughbred breeding in the United States. Ironically, a racehorse named Lexington was equally pivotal in developing the modern...
Legends
Posted April 16th, 2020 ·
From Dirt to Turf: How Lure Became a Legend
There’s a common phrase in horse racing that says “horses aren’t machines,” and the truth behind this phrase is rarely more apparent than when a talented horse isn’t quite running to expectations....
Legends
Posted April 9th, 2020 ·
Betting the 2020 Gulfstream Park Oaks on a $20 Budget
When a dozen 3-year-old fillies head to the Gulfstream Park starting gate for Saturday’s $200,000 Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, the stakes will be high and the competition fierce.
Gambling
Posted March 26th, 2020 ·
Using History to Handicap the 2020 Florida Derby
Although the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has shut down horse racing at many tracks throughout North America, Gulfstream Park in Florida continues to race on without spectators, which means...
Gambling
Posted March 23rd, 2020 ·
The First Saturday in … September? Date Shift Could Alter Kentucky Derby Complexion
For decades, horse trainers have worked hard to ensure that their best 3-year-old Thoroughbreds are ready to deliver peak performances on the first Saturday in May, the annual date of the Grade 1...
Racing
Posted March 18th, 2020 ·
Making Money Betting Finite in the Fair Grounds Oaks
The road to the Kentucky Oaks will take an exciting turn on Saturday when Fair Grounds hosts the Grade 2, $400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, a 1 1/16-mile event awarding 100 Oaks qualifying...
Gambling
Posted March 17th, 2020 ·
Using History to Handicap the 2020 Louisiana Derby
The final round of Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve prep races gets underway on March 21 with the $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, which will award...
Gambling
Posted March 16th, 2020 ·
Aiming for a Big Payoff in the Jeff Ruby Steaks
As one of just two Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races contested over a synthetic track, Saturday’s $250,000, Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park tends to attract an unusual blend of horses,...
Gambling
Posted March 12th, 2020 ·
The World-Traveling Career of Jockey Anthony Hamilton
During the late 1800s – before the Kentucky Derby had any special prestige, before the Triple Crown races had any significance, and before the Daily Racing Form had published its first issue –...
Legends
Posted March 9th, 2020 ·
Using History to Handicap the 2020 Rebel Stakes
If Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert keeps winning the $1 million, Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, one of these days the Arkansas track is going to rename the race in his honor.
Gambling
Posted March 7th, 2020 ·
