Delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Handicapping Championship makes its first appearance in August, adding to the excitement of the Midsummer Derby at Saratoga.
Sports Columns
Javier Castellano, a Hall of Fame rider, tested positive for the disease after arriving in Florida with plans to ride in this weekend’s Florida Derby.
Despite the decision to postpone the traditional opening day from Thursday to Saturday over a rainy forecast, the track will still race when the weather isn’t fair.
“The Great Race Place” will be under the microscope during the 23 days of racing following the deaths of 30 horses during its winter-spring meeting.
The Triple Crown winner’s untimely departure after he suffered an apparently minor ankle injury demonstrates the unhealthy sway that high-end thoroughbred breeders hold over the sport of horse racing.
Narrowing the field to a manageable number of horses that you can return to when post positions are drawn for the Run for the Roses on Tuesday will give you an edge over handicappers who are grappling with a 20-horse field.