There seemed to be little hope for Chancer McPatrick at the start, when he hit the starting gate, bumped into a rival and jockey Flavien Prat lost his left leg iron. No worries. After a shaky beginnin...
For many fans, Saratoga’s 2-year-old racing is second only to its endless flow of prestigious stakes. Spotting a colt or filly with the potential to be a star is always a highlight. The Hopeful is c...
Trainer Gary Contessa, who opened the 2023 Saratoga Race Course meet with a 21-1 upset in the Schuylerville (G3), closed the 40-day summer season when Nutella Fella posted a stunning 54-1 upset in the...
He has so many 2-year-olds, Bob Baffert sometimes just doesn’t know what to do. He’s hopeful, though, that the pair he sends to Saratoga will fare well at the track’s traditional closing day $30...
By Ed McNamara Saratoga is always about finding the stars of the future, and Wit could be one. He’s 2-for-2 by a total of 14 lengths and will be heavily favored in Monday’s 7-furlong Hopef...
By Mike Farrell Essential Quality took another step on the road to Horse of the Year. Firenze Fire turned savage in the Forego (G1), and Bob Baffert came up smelling the roses on both coasts. It was q...
By Mike Farrell So many opportunities for horses to earn a free pass to the Breeders’ Cup. So few takers willing to step up to the plate, an unfortunate development for fans and handicappers. There ...
By Richard Rosenblatt A smashing debut at Saratoga Race Course three weeks ago, a leisurely breeze at the Spa last week, and it’s “all systems go” for Gozilla in the $350,000 Runhappy Hopeful (G...
Saratoga’s Hopeful Stakes (G1) has only produced two Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winners in its rich 42-year history, but it has served as an important stallion-making race on many occasions. With...
