Jude Feld
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
This week, it seemed like every top handicapper I know was lauding the speed figures they use. These people are not just casual fans, but folks who make a living with Thoroughbred racing – turf writers, handicappers, owners, trainers and breeding farm executives. Read more
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
My grammar school debate teacher was fond of misquoting Ralph Waldo Emerson. Read more
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
The 2012 Resorts World Casino New York Wood Memorial (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) were run within 15 minutes of one another. The results of both were far from the shocker provided by 99-1 shot Hero of Order in the Louisiana Derby (G2) the week before. Read more
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
Spending time at Palm Meadows during the months leading up to the Kentucky Derby (G1) is a wonderful pastime for racing fans. Many of the East Coast’s leading Derby hopefuls are stabled there and you can get an up close and personal view of them as they train towards the first Saturday in May.
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days at Oaklawn Park and broadcast the Rebel Stakes (G2). It is a beautiful little track, dotted with Bradford pear trees and redbuds and blessed with some of the nicest customer service people on the planet. Read more
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
Venerable racing official Robert V. “Bobby” Weeks, was a familiar figure in the paddocks of Santa Anita Park, Del Mar and Hollywood Park from the 1960s until his death in 1992 at age 75. Among his many duties as paddock judge was to dispatch the horses to the track. Weeks will forever be remembered for his distinctive and throaty command, “Riiiiiiiiiiider’s up!” Read more
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
Handicaps, races where the weights are assigned by the racing secretary in an effort to equalize the field, have been contested for centuries. They have somewhat gone out of fashion in American racing’s modern era, partially because of the reluctance trainers have to running their charges under high imposts and also because most of the Grade 1 races today are run under “weight-for-age” conditions. Read more
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
I was standing near the customer service booth adjacent to the paddock at Gulfstream Thursday afternoon when a large man with a big personality approached. Although I was attired more like a beach bum than a Gulfstream employee, I think the fellow was under the impression that I manned the booth.
By Jude “Pontiff of the Pick Four” Feld
This week, I embark on the dusty trail to the Kentucky Derby (G1). It is exciting, invigorating and grueling all at the same time and I love it. It is fantastic to see the majority of America’s top three-year-olds up close and personal as they prepare for their run for the roses and possible Triple Crown immortality.
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