Daily Sports Roundup: June 5th
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Athletics play host to the Twins, the Braves continue their set in Los Angeles, and horse racing offers up the 2010 Belmont Stakes.
Big Fella on course for National bid
A return visit to Aintree for the John Smith’s Grand National has been top of the agenda for Big Fella Thanks ever since his fine effort in finishing sixth in the race in 2009, writes Elliot Slater.
Kalahari hot for Champion glory
If, as trainer Ferdy Murphy suggested, Kalahari King was not 100 per cent fit going into last Saturday’s big handicap chase at Doncaster, then his rivals for next month’s Queen Mother Champion Chase must be wondering if they can cope with this fast improving performer, writes Elliot Slater.
Attrition warming up for Cheltenham tilt
Mouse Morris’ 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition has had his ups and downs in the seasons since his famous victory, but could be returning to Cheltenham with a sporting chance in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, writes Elliot Slater.
Horses to Watch Week of Jan 18th
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won seven times, ran second seven times and finished third three times since Dec. 16.
Travers Is Steeped in History Just Like Saratoga
Saratoga Springs attracted visitors before the American Revolution when wealthy pilgrims journeyed to the carbonated mineral springs running through the area. The two Battles of Saratoga, considered the first Colonial victory and a turning point in the Revolutionary War, ended with British Gen. John Burgoyne’s surrender on Oct. 16, 1777.
Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch 8/10/09
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won four times, ran second three times and finished third four times since July 1. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
Calder’s Summit of Speed Is Back in the Spotlight
The Summit of Speed will be in the sprinting spotlight on Saturday at Calder Race Course where it debuted 10 years ago. The 2000 event offered five stakes with purses totaling $950,000 and was an immediate hit. In ’02, purses were boosted to $1.35 million and attracted classy thoroughbreds like Orientate, who won the Smile Sprint Handicap en route to a Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory and an Eclipse Award. That afternoon Calder enjoyed a single-day total mutuel handle record exceeding $8.8 million.
Belmont Stakes: Something Old, Something New
Flamboyant financier Leonard W. Jerome and well-heeled friends, including banker August Belmont Sr., built a racetrack in the Bronx that opened on Sept. 25, 1866.
The crowd at Jerome Park, named for its founder, included Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and members of New York’s fashionable society. It was the first track to attract women in large numbers. Even the horses were chic – ribbons of owners’ colors were braided into their manes and tails.
Rachel Alexandra Headed to Preakness and Favored
The superstar filly Rachel Alexandra is headed for the Preakness Stakes betting . After a weekend of confusion, Mine That Bird’s owner Mark Allen and Pioneerof The Nile’s Ahmed Zayat have said they will not enter additional horses to keep the filly out of the Preakness. Now, not only is Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, she is favored in horse racing odds.