Category Archives: News & Analysis

Was the 2023 Preakness Stakes a Strong Race?

By Jarrod Horak Only one Kentucky Derby 2023 participant competed in the Preakness and Mage was that runner. The Derby hero faced six rivals in Baltimore and Blazing Sevens was the only other graded winner.  The Preakness sure did not look like a strong race on paper and it got even weaker after the defection […]

Watch Out for Scratched Triple Crown Runners

By Jarrod Horak Five horses defected from the 2023 Kentucky Derby and there was one Preakness scratch. Can any of those runners make an impact this summer and fall?  Continuar (JPN): He would have been one of the longest shots on the board in the Derby. His trainer was not happy with his fitness level […]

Stephen Foster 2023 Analysis & Wagers

By Jarrod Horak The Grade 1, $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes is the 10th race at Ellis Park on Saturday, July 1, and it is a Win and You’re In event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Eight horses will line up to face the starter and Smile Happy is the 3-1 morning line favorite.  Grade […]

Beyond the 2023 Triple Crown: June Rankings

By Jarrod Horak The 2023 Triple Crown is in the rear-view mirror and we are speeding towards the big summer targets. The 3-year-old division is wide open at this stage and it is time to catch up with the sophomore leaders.  Two Phil’s appeared to reach the top of the leaderboard after an impressive score […]

Was the 2023 Kentucky Derby a Strong Race?

By Jarrod Horak The early pace was swift and Mage rolled home from off the pace to capture the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Five horses scratched and the Florida shipper ended up defeating 17 runners on the first Saturday in May, and the strong early pace really helped the late runners. Ten horses have run back. […]

Play These 3 Triple Crown Series Runners

By Jarrod Horak The 2023 Triple Crown Series is over and we saw three different winners once again. That has been the case since 2019 and the current sophomore division is seemingly without a leader. The Derby featured a pace meltdown, the Preakness had no early pace, and the recently concluded Belmont Stakes was captured […]

Arcangelo Rides the Rails in Belmont Stakes 2023

By Jarrod Horak Arcangelo took advantage of a ground saving trip to win the 2023 Belmont Stakes. Javier Castellano rode the winner for Jena Antonucci. It was the first Belmont win for rider and trainer, and Antonucci became the first female conditioner to capture the Belmont and first to win any of the Triple Crown […]

Belmont Stakes 2023 Final Thoughts

By Jarrod Horak The 2023 Belmont Stakes will be run later today at Belmont Park and the conditions could not be more ideal. The track is fast with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s. It is time to take one final look at the nine entrants. 1 – Tapit Shoes (20-1): Brad Cox’s […]

Unwrapping the Belmont Stakes Pace Puzzle

By Jarrod Horak I took a look at the Preakness pace scenario prior to the second jewel of the Triple Crown, and this time I will see if I can unwrap the puzzling Belmont Stakes race shape.  In the Kentucky Derby, the pace was sizzling and Mage rumbled home from the back of the pack. […]

National Treasure: A Tale of Two Belmont Works

By Jarrod Horak Preakness hero National Treasure has worked twice for the 2023 Belmont Stakes and the two morning moves could not have been more different. What does it mean and how will it affect his performance on Saturday? On Tuesday, May 30, National Treasure was surprisingly back on the worktab a mere 10 days […]