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Mo Donegal (left) winning the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mo Donegal
At the end of 2010, trainer Todd Pletcher headed into winter with Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Uncle Mo in his barn. Now he's back with Uncle Mo's son, Mo Donegal.
Horse
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem April 19, 2022
Jason talks about attending closing night at Pompano Park.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: White Abarrio
Pedigree handicapping can be a challenge, particularly when there’s limited data to interpret. Such is the case with White Abarrio, winner of the Holy Bull S. (G3) and Florida Derby (G1).
Horse
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem April 11, 2022
Jason Beem looks back at some of his favorite moments from the weekend.
Kentucky Derby
After the Racetrack: Scorpiancer
Like The Mean Queen, Scorpiancer, 2017’s champion steeplechaser, has won multiple graded stakes over the jumps at Belmont, Far Hills, and Middleburg, but now this newly retired jump specialist has moved on to a new career as a show jumper. With his new owner and trainer, Rachael Lively, Scorpiancer demonstrates the versatility of the Thoroughbred at any age.
Aftercare
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for April 7, 2022
Jason interviews young racing fan and content creator Ray Cotolo.
Features
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Crown Pride
Since Japan’s first-ever wins in the Breeders’ Cup last November, their flagbearers have continued to rack up trophies in major international meetings, adding four on Saudi Cup Day and five on the Dubai World Cup card. Can the Kentucky Derby (G1) be next?
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem April 4, 2022
Jason talks about this weekend's big races and learning to deal with being wrong.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for March 31, 2022
In this week's column, Jason writes about doing comedy and having fun in horse racing.
Features
Top five storylines for 2022 Dubai World Cup Day
While grappling with the fantastic Dubai World Cup card at Meydan on Saturday, here are five storylines to watch.
International
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for March 24, 2022
Jason interviews jockey agent Shawn Klotz to talk about him and his rider Hector Diaz Jr.
Features
Trends for 2022 Dubai World Cup, Golden Shaheen, Godolphin Mile, UAE Derby
Saturday’s Dubai World Cup (G1) extravaganza features outstanding fields, and the strength in depth across the card makes for a handicapping challenge. Looking at the contenders through the lens of race trends, and historical context, might help us tackle the eight rich Thoroughbred stakes. We’ll start with the dirt races and follow up in the next installment on the turf.
International
Trends for 2022 Dubai Turf, Sheema Classic, Gold Cup, Al Quoz
As a companion volume to the Dubai World Cup (G1) trends, here’s an analysis of the historical context for the lucrative turf events at Meydan.
International
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Mar. 21, 2022
Sunday we’ll have the Sunland Derby, which will be run for the first time since 2019.
Kentucky Derby
True Crime in Horse Racing: The Real Peaky Blinders
Whether they were bribing authorities or intimidating bookmakers, gangsters like the Shelby brothers of Peaky Blinders made the racetrack a dicey place to be for several decades.
History
After the Racetrack: Zivo and Cherie DeVaux
When you see a former racehorse back on the track with a new job, whether it’s as a public figure or ponying young horses, the versatility of the breed is on full display.
Aftercare
D. Wayne Lukas the best asset for fillies in Kentucky Derby preps
Last week's news that Secret Oath would face males in next month's Arkansas Derby (G1) puts us one step closer toward potentially seeing a filly compete in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Mar. 17, 2022
Jason Beem talks about the current Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Mar. 14, 2022
This past weekend was my first time getting to call Tampa Bay Downs’ signature race and what a day it was start to finish.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Mar. 10, 2022
Jason Beem interviews Tampa Bay Downs morning line maker Mark Luther about making a morning line.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forbidden Kingdom
Speed is the name of the game for Forbidden Kingdom, but can his pedigree carry him over the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby?
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Morello
The early successes for Morello may have come in sprints and short routes, but this exciting Kentucky Derby (G1) contender has the pedigree to run much farther.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Simplification
Simplification looks like a serious player for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But does he have the breeding to shine on the first Saturday in May?
Horse
Horse
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Mar. 7, 2022
For today’s Monday Morning Message I wanted to write about thankless jobs at the race track.
Features
Lighthouse shines in Australian adventure for LNJ Foxwoods
A bold decision to take on the best turf sprinters in the world with their mare Lighthouse is paying off for prominent American owners Larry, Nanci, and Jaime Roth.
International
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for March 3, 2022
With Turfway Park in full swing, Jason interviews Turfway Analyst Kaitlin Free.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 28, 2022
Jason looks back at his favorite story from the weekend.
Features
Triple Crown
Secretariat's 10 Best Broodmares
Here are 10 of Secretariat’s best broodmares, including two names that you will find in the bloodlines of two more recent champions.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 24, 2022
Jason Beem talks with Pompano Park announcer Gabe Prewitt
Features
The Science of Horse Racing: The Stride
Let’s look at the particulars of the stride and how horses move at each gait.
History
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 21, 2022
Jason Beem discusses one of his favorite stories from this past weekend in racing.
Features
Features
True Crime in Horse Racing: The Notorious Life of Arnold Rothstein
From baseball to horse racing, Arnold Rothstein played a role in some of the more dubious sports moments of the early 20th century.
History
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Classic Causeway
Can the late, great racehorse and stallion Giant's Causeway sire a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in his final year of opportunity?
Horse
Early look at Saudi Cup Day: Top contenders, trends, and horses to watch
Until the final declarations are released next week, here’s how the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup and five lucrative supporting events for Thoroughbreds are shaping up.
International
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 14, 2022
Jason looks back at his weekend calling the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs.
Kentucky Derby
After the Racetrack: Whitmore
Now retired, Whitmore is looking for a new job and trainer Ron Moquett and his wife Laura have plans for 2020’s champion sprinter.
Aftercare
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for February 10, 2022
Jason talks with Jessica Paquette about Thoroughbred breeding and using it for handicapping.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Early Voting
A favorable pedigree isn’t the only requirement to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). But it’s a good place to start.
Horse
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Feb. 7, 2022
Jason Beem discusses some of the weekend news from around racing including the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Secretariat's Top 10 Foals
The measuring stick for a great thoroughbred is not just their performances on the track, but also their ability to pass those talents on to the next generation.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 3, 2022
Jason has a discussion about why announcers might choose to call or not call a photo finish.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Jan. 31, 2022
I wanted to give a shout to my buddy Peter Aiello for the wonderful job he did announcing the Pegasus World Cup, but also for just the wonderfulness that is Peter.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column featuring Pullthepocket Jan. 27, 2022
Jason interviews longtime racing blogger "Pullthepocket" about what racing blogging in 2022 looks like.
Features
Breeders' Cup: Top seven Turf moments
The Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) has served up thrillers and poignant moments over the course of its 37-year history. In the spirit of last week’s walk down memory lane for the Mile (G1), here are my top seven editions of the Turf.
Breeders Cup
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem: Jockey Madeline Rowland
Today we catch up with apprentice jockey Madeline Rowland who recently won her first race as a jockey at Tampa Bay Downs.
Features
Five up-and-comers to follow at 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival
As the Dubai Carnival begins Friday, here are five up-and-comers who have impressed recently at Meydan.
International
Cotolo: Gerald Longo scores 3,000th victory with his 'Omen'
Harness-horseman Gerald Longo won the 3,000th race of his career on New Year’s Day, 2022, at the current Cal-Expo harness meet in Sacramento, California.
Harness
American Icon, McLaren Vale hot prospects for Gun Runner
Crowning his record-setting season as a freshman sire, Gun Runner closed out 2021 strong with seven new winners between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. We’ll focus on the four most promising prospects who could join the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.
Kentucky Derby
Top 10 themes to watch on horse racing scene for 2022
Horse racing fans have plenty to look forward to in 2022, so it’s not easy to sift through the possibilities for a “Top 10” list. Here are the themes – and horses – who intrigue me the most as we turn the calendar for a brand new season.
International
2021 in review: Seven best storylines in international horse racing
Just as 2021 threw some curveballs in the life of the world at large, this passing year also served up a few unexpected plot twists in international Thoroughbred racing. With my Northern Hemisphere-centric focus, here are my seven favorite storylines of the season.
International
2021 in review: Top 10 thrilling finishes in U.S. horse racing
For my look back at the American Thoroughbred racing scene of 2021, I’d like to highlight the year’s most riveting finishes. From the classic brigade to turf performers, sprinters, and distaffers, several divisions are represented in this Top 10 list.
Features
Addeybb pictured winning the 2020 Champion S. (G1) (Photo courtesy of Ascot Racecourse via Racenews)
The Top 5 Races in Australia for 2021
Here are the top five Australian races for 2021, in chronological order.
International
First-crop sires: Record-setting Gun Runner passes $4 million mark
Led by sure-to-be-champion Echo Zulu, the unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner, Gun Runner’s progeny have amassed more than $4 million in earnings.
Pedigree
Art Sherman's lifetime horsemanship hit the stratosphere
Art Sherman had a storied career in horse racing before California Chrome walked into it.
Features
Top Brisnet Speed stakes performances of 2021
Essential Quality’s rallying win in the Belmont S. (G1) and Knicks Go’s frontrunning mastery in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) met both criteria, tour-do-force efforts that came back among the fastest stakes races of 2021.
Analysis
First-Crop Sires: Winners Keep Coming for Keen Ice
The jury is still out on Keen Ice's first crop, but the results haven’t been bad given his progeny will probably be better suited as three-year-olds.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Smile Happy
Smile Happy put smiles on the faces of his supporters when he rallied to victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, in the process joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Horse
10 of the Best Red Smith Stakes winners at Aqueduct
Here are ten of the best winners of the Grade 2 Red Smith Stakes, run on the Aqueduct turf over 1 3/8 miles.
Features
The 5 Fastest Fillies & Mares to win the Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs
Five fast fillies who won the Chilukki Stakes.
Features
First-Crop Sires: Arrogate progeny picking up
The sadly-missed Arrogate is slowly starting to pick up as a sire, with the former champion’s tally of winners now up to six.
Features
First-Crop Sires: Gun Runner into exclusive Breeders' Cup club
Four years after Gun Runner won the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), his first-crop daughter Echo Zulu took out the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Breeders Cup
How did Paulo Lobo get back to the biggest stage? He never gave up
The Brazilian-born trainer, after some down years in California, has found new life with his stable based in Kentucky.
Breeders Cup
Barn favorite Snapper Sinclair seeking glory in Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Snapper Sinclair is a longshot in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), but he's been whiskers away from greatness before.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile hopeful Jasper Great at Del Mar (Photo by Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)
Breeders' Cup International Horse Profile: Jasper Great
From the first crop of the late champion Arrogate, Jasper Great sports a superb pedigree as well as an imperious debut victory on the dirt at Hanshin.
Horse
Breeders' Cup 2021: Trainer Fausto Gutierrez
Trainer Fausto Gutierrez wasn't a household name until Letruska's 2021 season, but he has long had stars on his shedrow.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup International Scouting Report: Loves Only You
The complete Breeders’ Cup International Scouting Report, covering Friday and Saturday, will be available on Brisnet.com early in the week. Here is a sample featuring the top contender from Team Japan, Loves Only You.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup: Six under-the-radar internationals to watch
Aside from the big names, a few internationals not as well-known stateside are worth a look.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup: Top seven Mile memories
As we gear up for Breeders’ Cup 2021, thoughts turn to championships past. Here’s my idea of the seven most memorable runnings of the Mile (G1).
Breeders Cup
2021 Breeders' Cup News & Notes
The Breeders' Cup news and notes offers all of our coverage cultivated in one place! For horse-players who want to know what to bet.
Breeders Cup
International scouting reports for 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup
Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) winner Empress Josephine is the best of the trio of Europeans set for Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland. We’ll give a quick update on her before examining the stateside debutantes – fellow Irish invader Nicest and progressive British shipper Cloudy Dawn.
Features
Keeneland International Scouting Reports: Order of Australia, Empress Josephine
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has dispatched a trio of high-profile runners for Breeders’ Cup preps on Saturday. Since Japan was covered in a recent scouting report, we’ll give a quick update on him before focusing on the two in “Win and You’re In” events at Keeneland – Order of Australia and Empress Josephine.
Horse
First-crop sires: Echo Zulu rolls, Concept breaks through for Gun Runner
Still the leading freshman sire, Gun Runner also tops the overall juvenile sire list, as his first-crop progeny has earned more than two-year-olds by established patriarchs like Into Mischief.
Features
Cody's Wish hopes to win for Make-A-Wish namesake at Churchill Downs
Cody’s Wish might not be the most famous horse entered to race on this action-packed weekend of Breeders’ Cup qualifiers. But he certainly has one of the best backstories.
Features
Summer and Natalma international scouting reports: Albahr, Wild Beauty
Canadian International (G1) contender Walton Street has brought a couple of Charlie Appleby stablemates along for Sunday’s Breeders’ Cup Challenge races at Woodbine.
Features
Jockey Club Oaks international scouting reports: Harajuku, Creative Flair
Saturday’s Jockey Club Oaks has lured two international shippers. Godolphin’s Creative Flair hopes for better luck than her third in the Saratoga Oaks (G3), and French maestro Andre Fabre sends Harajuku to Belmont Park.
Features
Jockey Club Derby international scouting report: Yibir takes on Bolshoi Ballet
Yibir will take on the top two from the Belmont Derby (G1), Bolshoi Ballet and Tokyo Gold, as well as Saratoga Derby (G1) runner-up Soldier Rising, in the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont Park.
Features
Woodbine Mile international scouting report: Duke of Hazzard meets old foe Space Traveller
The lone European shipper in the Woodbine Mile (G1), Duke of Hazzard, renews rivalry with recent import Space Traveller.
Features
Canadian International scouting reports: Walton Street, Desert Encounter
European shippers have won nine of the last 10 editions of the Canadian International (G1). Two-time defending champ Desert Encounter and Walton Street will try to prolong the trend.
Features
The 10 best horses beaten by Secretariat
Secretariat's achievements are enhanced because he defeated these 10 star horses.
Triple Crown
Flower Bowl Stakes international scouting report: American Bridge
Although American Bridge comes to Saratoga by way of a lower-profile path – the French provinces and Italy – she enters Saturday’s Flower Bowl S. (G1) on the upswing with some sneaky collateral form.
Features
Japan's white filly Sodashi could seek 'Sho-time' on world stage for horse racing
Japanese champion racehorse Sodashi has sparked a comparison to Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani, according to a recent Yahoo News report in Japan.
Features
Letruska among 5 of the best horses to win in Mexico
Letruska is among the five best horses ever to win a stakes in Mexico. What makes Letruska's path toward stardom so interesting, and unique?
History
How does Malathaat stack up against top fillies past and present?
You’ve probably heard about Malathaat. What makes this special filly stand out? Let's dive in and find out.
Features
Scully: 10 Travers that stand out
The $1.25 million Travers S. is Saturday, and James Scully has compiled a list of his 10 favorite editions
History
Features
Hanson: Rediscovering historic Triple Crown TV coverage
Television footage of the Triple Crown from the 1960s and early 1970s is now publicly available, and its most interesting moments are well worth watching.
Triple Crown
Arlington international scouting reports: Armory, Space Traveller, Santa Barbara
The race historically known as the Arlington Million will be run under a different name on Saturday, the Mister D. S. (G1). But Arlington Park’s signature event retains its most fascinating dynamic – the international challenge.
Features
Singularly Meritorious: Purple Hearts of Horse Racing
General George Washington wanted something simple for the men serving with him in the Continental Army. He sought a way to recognize “any singularly meritorious action” by a soldier, an insignia that rewarded loyalty and valor and encouraged others to the same. With that in mind, on August 7, 1782, Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, a purple heart-shaped patch to be displayed on a recipient’s uniform. Nearly a century and a half later, another legendary general, Douglas MacArthur, took a cue from our first President and revived this award in 1932, calling it the Purple Heart.
History
Saratoga Oaks international scouting reports: Rocky Sky, Creative Flair, Messidor
Three fillies bring international form into Sunday’s $700,000 Saratoga Oaks (G3). Irish import Rocky Sky makes her U.S. debut for Chad Brown, Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby sends Creative Flair from England, and Messidor arrives from Joseph O’Brien’s yard in Ireland.
Features
USC's Olympic glory and Medal Count
The University of Southern California has seen more Olympic success than anyone, and one USC alum named a very good horse after this legacy.
Features
First-crop sires: Wit continues to impress for Practical Joke
Wit looks like a star-in-the-making for freshman sire Practical Joke
Features
Saratoga Derby international scouting report: Plenty of depth beyond Bolshoi Ballet
The second leg of the lucrative New York Turf Triple, Saturday’s $1 million Saratoga Derby, has lured more internationals than the July 10 Belmont Derby (G1). Aidan O’Brien’s Bolshoi Ballet is back in search of a double, but a deeper field will confront him at the Spa.
Features
The Fastest Man in the World, and the Fastest Horse in the West
If you're going to name a horse after the fastest man in the world, you're giving a horse a lot to live up to.
Features
2021 Belmont Oaks international scouting reports: Santa Barbara, Cirona, Nazuna
As with stablemate Bolshoi Ballet in the Belmont Derby (G1), Santa Barbara brings a lofty profile into Saturday’s Belmont Oaks (G1) as a beaten classic favorite for Aidan O’Brien. Santa Barbara is also taking the same path as O’Brien’s only Belmont Oaks winner, Athena (2018).
Horse
Horse racing: Amy C an import to follow for trainer Chad Brown
No secret in her U.S. debut for Chad Brown, Amy C lived up to 0.95-1 favoritism in a June 25 allowance at Belmont Park. Moreover, the British-bred sophomore did so in a manner suggesting that graded stakes are in her future.
Features