Blogs

"Hey Big A What Do You Say?" - 9 Days to the Cup

By Anthony Stabile

FILLY & MARE SPRINT

$1 million; 7 furlongs; 3up(f&m)

 

This race has become famous quite simply because Groupie Doll, the winner of the last pair of runnings and easily one of the more popular horses of this generation. When first contested in 2007 it was run at six furlongs because host track Monmouth Park isn’t configured for its intended distance.

 

"Hey Big A What Do You Say?" - 10 Days to the Cup

By Anthny Stabile

TURF SPRINT

$1 million; 6 ½ furlongs (T); 3up

 

While most had been crying out for the Breeders’ Cup to add this event for years, it didn’t happen until 2008, when Desert Code stormed down the hill to pay $75 in a shocker. Since that event, three of five favorites have won, making it one of the most formful races to be run at the World Championships.

 

"Hey Big A What Do You Say?" - 11 Days to the Cup

By Anthony Stabile

DIRT MILE

$1 million; 1 mile; 3up

 

Another race launched in 2007, the thinking was that it was finally time for a Breeders’ Cup event that focuses on one of the more interesting equine athletes – the miler. Sprints are too short for them, routes too long for them but the mile, like the little bear’s porridge and bed, is just right.

 

"Hey Big A What Do You Say?" - 12 Days to the Cup

By Anthony Stabile

 

JUVENILE TURF

$1 million; 1 mile (T); 2YO

 

Contested for the first time back in 2007 when the Breeders’ Cup expanded to the current two day format, the Juvenile Turf finally offered U.S. runners with an affinity for the lawn a chance to notch a Cup score and gave the Europeans yet another reason to send runners in spades.

 

"Hey Big A What Do You Say?" - 13 Days to the Cup

By Anthony Stabile 
 
JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
 
$1 million; 1 mile (T); 2YO fillies
 
In 2007, the Juvenile Turf was run for the first time over a boggy Monmouth Park turf course. 
 
It pitted the colts and geldings against fillies. A year later, the Juvenile Fillies Turf came into 
 
existence and has been a mainstay on the Friday program.
 

“Hey Big A, What Do You Say?”

By ANTHONY STABILE

“Anthony Cantore, call your office.”

If you’ve frequented a NYRA racetrack in the past couple of decades you’ve likely heard track announcer Tom Durkin, who will retire after the last race of the day at Saratoga on Sunday, Aug. 31, say these words at some point during your visit.

Anthony Cantore never worked for NYRA and probably never will. Cantore is Durkin’s childhood friend whose name he invoked at a county fair one night when he was tired of using the usual “testing 1, 2, 3…” associated with a microphone and P.A. system test.

“Hey Big A, What Do You Say?”

Dear Wicked Strong,
Let me start out by saying I’ve been a big fan of yours ever since you broke your maiden at Belmont Park in your second start. I cashed a pretty nice win bet on you that day at 4-1 and immediately but you on my early list of Derby contenders.
You solidified your position with a solid third in the Remsen when you were gaining ground on my top two Derby prospects at the time, Honor Code and Cairo prince, and certainly appeared to be a horse that would relish a distance of ground. Needless to say, I was pretty excited. And then came Gulfstream Park.

“Hey Big A, What Do You Say?”

I haven’t been excited going into a weekend in the manner I was this past Saturday since the Breeders’ Cup last November. A ton of great racing was slated for Dubai, Gulfstream and the Fair Grounds and my 37th birthday was all set for Monday.
The way I figured, I’d win four figures Saturday, watch the Kentucky game with my HRRN Live! tag-team partner Chad Summers on Sunday then blow it out with family and friends, including my main man Jack Daniels on Monday.

“Hey Big A, What Do You Say?”

The past few weeks on the 2014 Kentucky Derby trail are a great example of how the pendulum can swing crazy in the Sport of Kings, especially around this time each and every year.

We’ve had three major preps, a breakthrough performance and a couple of pretty significant defections from the Shug McGaughey barn, meaning the trainer of last year’s winner, Orb, seemingly will not get a chance to win the roses in back-to-back years.