Havre de Grace Takes on Boys in Woodward at Saratoga

By Mike Dempsey

The Saratoga meeting is winding down, with closing day on Monday, but there is still plenty of betting action over the holiday weekend including a trio of Grade 1 races on Saturday.

The Larry Jones trainee Havre de Grace, a four-year-old filly with Horse of the Year aspirations is taking on the boys in the $750,000 Woodward (G1).

The filly has made four starts this year, winning the Azeri (G3), Apple Blossom (G1), and Obeah (G3), then coming up a nose shy in the Delaware Handicap (G2), beaten by her archrival Blind Luck.

Travers Day Preview: Perfect Storm for Longshots

By Mike Dempsey

Travers Day at Saratoga on Saturday is a horseplayer’s dream. There are 13 competitive races on the card including five graded stakes.

2010 champion two-year-old Uncle Mo makes his first start since April where the colt weakened to finish third in the Wood Memorial (G1) when he takes on a field of seven in the $250,000 King’s Bishop (G1).

Horse Betting Study

By Dave Banks

The Jockey Club recently engaged the services of McKinsey and Co. to examine the current problems that the racing industry faces. The report draws some very interesting conclusions. One of the major flaws that were highlighted was conflicting post times. The average horse racing bettor has known this for years, but this report breaks down how much more money would have been wagered if post times were coordinated better. According to the report if major stakes races were not run so closely together, betting handle would increase by more than 5%. Horse betting fans have been complaining about this for years. Hopefully the Jockey Club will work on this issue.

Weekend Horse Betting Update

By Dave Banks

Arlington Million
This weekend features quality horse racing from around the country. The big race this weekend is the Arlington Million. The betting favorites will be Cape Blanco and Gio Ponti. These two faced off last month at Belmont Park, with Cape Blanco winning easily. Gio Ponte won the Arlington Million in 2009. Other contenders include Mission Approved and Wigmore Hall. Longshot bettors might take a look at Rahystrada.

Big Money on the Line for West Virginia Derby

By Aaron Huber

This Saturday the big money for 3-year-olds isn’t at Saratoga, Del Mar, or even Monmouth, it’s at small one-mile oval called Mountaineer Park in Chester, West Virginia. Ten horses from around the country as well as several local starters have been entered in the 1 1/8-mile West Virginia Derby (G2) which carries a hefty purse of $750,000. Of course, most of the horses who were on the triple crown trail opted for a shot at the more prestigious Jim Dandy or Haskell Invitational which were run last week. The entry of Haskell victor Coil’s stalemate Prayer For Relief, and the last horse to beat Coil, Dreamy Kid adds an extra element of intrigue for these late developing 3-year-olds. A standout performance in this race could mean a spot in the Travers at Saratoga on August 27th – a short three weeks away.

Week Three at Saratoga Starts Bullish

By Mike Dempsey

Two weeks into the Saratoga meeting and we have seen some amazing performances, and the third week should offer plenty more along with many outstanding betting opportunities.

The week starts with Wednesday’s $75,000 John Morrissey, a 6 ½ furlong test on the main track for New York breds that drew a field of seven with two standouts.

Can We Get Lucky in Haskell Again This Year?

By Mike Dempsey

By Sunday evening we should have a grasp on who the major players in the three-year-old division will be.

On Saturday we have the $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga, featuring Stay Thirsty and Brilliant Speed, the runner up and third place finisher in the Belmont Stakes (G1), along with Peter Pan (G2) winner Alternation and Dwyer (G2) winner Dominus hooking up at nine furlongs.

Top 3-year-olds are Back in Jim Dandy at Saratoga

By Aaron Huber

This Saturday all the attention will be focused on Saratoga Race Course for the 48th running of the Jim Dandy (G2). With a purse of a half-million dollars, one would hope for more than 7 horses to show up, but the division is split with other top 3-year-olds entered in Sunday’s Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park competing for a cool million. The ultimate goal for the horses entered in the Jim Dandy is the Travers Stakes to be run on August 27. With a purse of $1 million and the ability to add significantly to future stud fees, the “Mid-Summer Derby” is the pinnacle of Saratoga’s summer program.

Breeders’ Cup Challenge at Del Mar – Friday, July 29

By Joey Adams

Friday-night racing has grown into a popular spot on the social scene, with live bands, happy hours, and younger crowds gathering to “see and be seen.” Yet within the party atmosphere at Del Mar on Friday is an important stakes race for horses looking to secure a spot in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Churchill Downs in November.

The State of Racing – Ladies in Charge

By Joey Adams

It’s no secret that racing in the U.S. has been in turmoil this year. We’re not talking about short fields, decreased wagering or medication issues. We’re talking about the real action on the racetrack.

In the latest NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) Thoroughbred Poll, five of the top ten spots are held by females, one of whom is on the shelf for the remainder of 2011 due to injury. Of the five males on the list, one is likely out for the rest of the year with an injury and another was retired due to injury this week.