Rules in place in other racing jurisdictions around the globe don’t require stewards to penalize a horse for an infraction if it is much the best in a race.
Mike Brunker
Mike Brunker 's horse racing column is online Thursdays and appears in Friday's print edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The rules of horse racing clearly state that leaping in front of and bumping a rival is not allowed. The rule does not require that the interference be intentional.
The withdrawal of the 4-1 morning line favorite was a crushing disappointment to horse racing fans and hard-core horseplayers alike, but where chaos exists, opportunity awaits.
With the Kentucky Derby coming Saturday, numerous Las Vegas Valley racebooks are offering free handicapping seminars to offer expert observations and opinions on the field for the 145th Run for the Roses.
Follow the riders through the game of musical saddles leading up to the Run for the Roses on May 4 at Churchill Downs.
The 53-year-old Hall of Fame rider announced Tuesday that he will ride Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach in the Kentucky Derby on May 4 rather than Santa Anita Derby winner Roadster.
The final major Kentucky Derby prep races — the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park — will be run Saturday.
The death of another horse — the 23rd fatality of the current meet — prompted California Sen. Dianne Feinstein to call for an immediate suspension of racing at the track. But the show will go on this weekend and the stakes are huge.
Barry Meadow’s new tome “The Skeptical Handicapper” marries a deep data dive with a thorough exploration of the mental makeup required to be a winning player.
Management at Santa Anita now plans to reopen for racing on March 29 after agreeing to delay its edict banning all race-day medication. But some industry groups are panning the new rule, saying it will actually harm horses.
Princess Lili B, a 3-year-old maiden filly, had to be euthanized Thursday after breaking her front legs at the conclusion of a half-mile workout on the main track. Hours later, track management announced it is banning race-day medications.
Two more deaths in the week following inspection of the track leads management to cancel racing until further notice and bring in longtime track superintendent Dennis Moore to conduct a thorough examination of the racing surfaces.
News has been glum lately at the historic Southern California racetrack, which has been plagued by short fields and a sickening stretch that has seen 19 horses die since opening day on Dec. 26.
“You never know what is going to come through that door,” Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” fame says. He was never more spot on than when a man showed up recently with Affirmed’s Triple Crown trophy in hand.
Vic Stauffer, a Las Vegas resident and race-caller at Oaklawn Park, shares the lessons he’s learned from five tries in the tournament.
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