Friday, May 25, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 26-28
A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!) 

NOTE:   AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY. 


An American tradition, we pause to remember and give thanks to those who have purchased our freedom with the ultimate sacrifice.  On Memorial Day the flag is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.  The half-staff position remembers those who have given their lives in the service of their country. At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

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COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN:   Everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-but-didn't-know-what-to-ask site!!  A must-read" is Jeremy Plonk's weekly rundown on the Road to the Triple Crown.  DRF: Week 21 - May 25 2012   He covers the week that was as well as looking toward the upcoming weekend. 

BRISNET Past Performances for Monday, May 28

TRIPLE CROWN:
TWO DOWN, 1 TO GO!
Jerry Bailey will mentor Mario for the Belmont
I'll Have Another gallops at Belmont
DRF: Belmont Stakes page, including entries & pps
DRF's special page for I'll Have Another
Past performances for each probable entry in Belmont
Bill Dwyre - LA Times: Mario Gutierrez rides fame with modesty
Beyer: Defining moment for I'll Have Another in Preakness
ESPN: "Another" on the verge of history
Steve Haskin recaps the Preakness
Steve Haskin - Lava Man revisited
VIDEO - Team O'Neill's secret weapon - Lava Man
VIDEO - Lava Man's second day on the job as Lead Pony - April 7, 2012

VIDEO - Kentucky Derby replay
VIDEO - Kentucky Derby replay, race analysis
VIDEO - Triple Crown Insider - Jon & Joel recap Kentucky Derby

VIDEO - Preakness replay
VIDEO - Preakness overhead replay and race analysis
VIDEO - Preakness Day - post-race wrap, interviews
VIDEO - Preakness Day, Preakness and Under cards
VIDEO - Triple Crown Insider - Jon & Joel recap Preakness

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 Under each race description below, in addition to the card, in most instances, there are links to read more about a particular race and the runners.

Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.
Just want a simple list of the races, time ordered?  Click here

DON'T FORGET:  Even if you can't watch the U.S. races live, you can come back here after the race has run, click on the CARD listed under the race, and watch a REPLAY!  Let's go to the races!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

A Valentine for Rachel ~
February 14, 2011 - updated January 29, 2016
(Note: This was originally published on another blog of mine, which is now inactive)

Rachel - Stonestreet visitor day - Stonestreet site
I didn't know who Rachel Alexandra was when I first discovered Zenyatta, but after a while, I decided to check up on her. This was after she had been retired. The more I learned, the more I realized just how fortunate Zenyatta has been throughout her career to have such loving and caring handling in every respect. One thing you have to say about Zenyatta is, her connections kept her happy and interested in what she did. She always brought her best game any time she stepped on a track, she never failed to show up or do what was asked of her, she never took a vacation or a day off from training - nor did she need to!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 18-19

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!) 

NOTE:   AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY. 

SECOND LEG OF THE TRIPLE CROWN
137th RUNNING OF THE PREAKNESS




In honor of Afleet Alex and the greatest Preakness ever - 2005




COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN:   Everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-but-didn't-know-what-to-ask site!!  A must-read" is Jeremy Plonk's weekly rundown on the Road to the Triple Crown.  DRF: Week 20 - May 17, 2012   He covers the week that was as well as looking toward the upcoming weekend. 

DRF: PREAKNESS FIELD - PPs INCLUDING REPLAY VIDEOS

NBC plans 6 1/2 hours Preakness coverage, Friday-Saturday - check your cable provider

FLASH:  DRF will LIVE STREAM THE RACES AT PIMLICO

Steve Haskin's Preakness Report - Picks
And They're Off with Steve Haskin and Lenny Shulman
Steve Haskin: Preakness Report - Cause and Effect

Under each race description below, in addition to the card, in most instances, there are links to read more about a particular race and the runners.

Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.
Just want a simple list of the races, time ordered?  Click here

DON'T FORGET:  Even if you can't watch the U.S. races live, you can come back here after the race has run, click on the CARD listed under the race, and watch a REPLAY!  Let's go to the races!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Tribute to Zenyatta12



A FUTURE DERBY HOPEFUL

On this Derby Day, I wanted to pay tribute to a future Derby starter for 2015! At the moment he doesn't have his "stage" name...he is simply known as Z's Prince, or "Z12", or officially in the record books, "Zenyatta12". He is special, and he knows it.

He doesn't know how lucky he is. He will never see the inside of a sale ring, he will know only the best hands God ever made to train a horse. He has the presence that comes from within, transported through his very talented and accomplished Momma, Queen Zenyatta. What fun we will all have watching this little guy grow up, go to his "baby" training at the Mayberrys in Florida, and eventually into the tender and brilliant hands of trainer, John Shirreffs. Eventually, Team Zenyatta12 will add a then 49 year old Mike Smith to ride on his back.


He may never approach his Momma's or his Daddy, Bernardini's, career achievements. It happens that way sometimes: great horses sometimes take generations to have their brilliance show up in their progeny. But, if we are lucky, one day in mid-2014, we might see a little two year old colt with two famous parents standing by while Z12 bounds out of the starting gate into the California sun to fulfill his destiny. He will not lack for friends or fans. We are all here, standing by, waiting for his big day, his first race. And, no matter the outcome, no matter what his destiny turns out to be, he is special, very special indeed.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 4-5

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!) 

NOTE:   AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY. 


THE MOST EXCITING TWO MINUTES IN SPORT!
138th RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY/OAKS









COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN:   Everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-but-didn't-know-what-to-ask site!!  A must-read" is Jeremy Plonk's weekly rundown on the Road to the Derby.  DRF: Week 18 - May 3, 2012   He covers the week that was as well as looking toward the upcoming weekend. 

Kentucky Derby media schedule
TELEVISION COVERAGE!

FRIDAY:  NBC Sports (formerly Versus) 4-6 ET.  

SATURDAY: Virtually ALL DAY coverage at Churchill Downs for Saturday!!!!  NBC Sports (formerly Versus) be have coverage from 11-4 ET, and NBC will pick up the action from 4-7, with a 30 minute wrap on NBC Sports channel from 7-7:30 ET. Of course, HRTV and HRRN (Radio) will carry full coverage both days.

Under each race description below, in addition to the card, in most instances, there are links to read more about a particular race and the runners.

Full cards are shown below, listed in time order, all adjusted to ET.
Just want a simple list of the races, time ordered?  Click here

DON'T FORGET:  Even if you can't watch the U.S. races live, you can come back here after the race has run, click on the CARD listed under the race, and watch a REPLAY!  Let's go to the races!