The Grade 1 American Grand National Hurdle Stakes was the main event on Oct. 18 at Far Hills, where the day of racing in New Jersey was dominated by horses and humans from Ireland.
Del Mar had long been considered one of horse racing’s most treasured venues, but like Keeneland Race Course its seasonal boutique meets did not seem to be an ideal fit for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. That all changed with an announcement by Breeders’ Cup officials on June 24, 2014.
We’ve all been there before … walking into an unfamiliar setting and not knowing exactly what to say or what others are talking about. It can be flat-out overwhelming.
A day at the racetrack can feel like the first day at a new job with dozens and dozens of horse racing terms and idioms that are almost a separate language, not to mention the racing program or Daily Racing Form at your fingertips that looks like it was designed by an accounting professor.
One of the perennial highlights of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is the Longines Distaff, which brings together many of the best fillies and mares in training to compete for a $2 million purse and boost their chances at being honored as champion older female at the Eclipse Awards.
Three-year-olds take center stage in Saturday’s Grade 3 Ontario Derby at Woodbine. The race usually draws a mix of Ontario-bred and U.S.-bred colts and geldings and that’s the case this year, with a field headlined by upset King’s Plate winner Mansetti.
