All News

February 01, 2012
Jerardi: Recent claim ready to go, with no place to run
Over the last month, “only in horse racing” met up with Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22.”
January 30, 2012
Three horseplayers earn berths to 2013 National Handicapping Championship
Three horseplayers joined NHC 13 winner Michael Beychok in earning berths into next year's Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in a qualifying tournament held Sunday at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino.
January 28, 2012
National Handicapping Championship decided by a single dollar
One dollar. That was the margin of victory as Michael Beychok became horse racing's latest millionaire by winning the 13th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in the final race Saturday to claim the $1 million first-place ...
January 27, 2012
Hovdey: Book paints vivid picture of horse at war
By Jay Hovdey
No experienced moviegoer should be surprised that “War Horse” was among the Oscar nominees for Best Picture – if it was 1944. The movie’s pervasive tone was one of abiding nostalgia infused with a glowing sentimentality that tastefully packaged and ...
Crist: Breeders' Cup's return to NBC can only help
By Steven Crist
There are two ways to look at the announcement last week that network television coverage of the Breeders’ Cup is returning to NBC after six years at ESPN.
January 26, 2012
Hovdey: Sunshine Millions still a bright show
By Jay Hovdey
Give Santa Anita Park management credit for rallying in spite of its half of the Sunshine Millions racing program being yanked from its menu of attractions. What is now being offered on Saturday in Arcadia is still very sunshiny, and sort of milliony.
Beyer: Milch's 'Luck' rises above typical television fare
By Andrew Beyer
David Milch's new racetrack drama "Luck" stays true to the sport by bringing to life the hard-edged aspects of racing.
January 25, 2012
Hovdey: Santa Monica back in deserving spotlight
By Jay Hovdey
Let this serve as an official “welcome back” from purgatory for the Santa Monica Stakes, nee Handicap, to be run Saturday at a warm and festive Santa Anita Park.
Handicappers chase $1.5 million in prize money in DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship
A group of 482 handicappers go for their share of $1.5 million in prize money at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino this Friday and Saturday at the 13th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship.
January 24, 2012
Helmet cam: Standardbred racing from the drivers seat
Garry Macdonald driving "In Bed" at The Raceway at the Western Fair District
January 23, 2012
Watchmaker Watch: Weekly divisional ratings
Weekly Thoroughbred racing divisional ratings by Mike Watchmaker, national handicapper for Daily Racing Form. Horses must have at least one start in North America.
January 20, 2012
Hovdey: Derby thoughts always in forefront
By Jay Hovdey
Kids start getting excited about Christmas before Thanksgiving. Little girls shop for Easter bonnets as the winter snows begin to melt, and there are enterprising young men who stock up on Fourth of July fireworks even as the excitement of Valentine’s ...
January 19, 2012
Tuley: Ravens defense can stop Patriots
By Dave Tuley
Sports is the best reality TV out there. There’s breakups and makeups. One day you’re smelling like a rose and the next you’re booted off the island. You never know what’s going to happen next
Hovdey: Talamo rides through dry spell
By Jay Hovdey
Joe Talamo celebrated his 22nd birthday last week not with a magnum of Cristal, or a cruise to Cancun, or a new Louis Vitton golf bag, although he could have. Instead, Talamo shopped more practically for the occasion, making a trip to his local Ace ...
January 18, 2012
Beyer: Rapid Redux spiced up a weak year
By Andrew Beyer
When Thoroughbred racing's top honors were announced at the Eclipse Awards ceremonies Monday, few of the winners inspired enthusiasm. The year 2011 was a poor one for the sport, and its outstanding performer, the filly Havre de Grace, may be the ...
Jerardi: Contrarian view of Eclipse Awards voting
I think I may have set an Eclipse Award record that can never be broken, only tied. I counted five divisions/categories that were somewhat in doubt before the voting. I managed to vote for the loser every time.
January 17, 2012
Hovdey: Words flow like wine at Eclipse Awards
By Jay Hovdey
The 41st Eclipse Awards evening was a throwback to one of those breezy, boozy gatherings of the distant past (as in the 1990s) when the doors closed on some glitzy ballroom in a randomly chosen town and the chosen few passed the time congratulating ...
January 13, 2012
Crist: No drama in Horse of the Year vote
By Steven Crist
After two years of genuine uncertainty, excitement, and controversy over who would be the Horse of the Year, the climactic announcement at Monday night’s Eclipse Awards ceremonies appears to be a foregone conclusion. Havre de Grace did not have as ...
Hovdey: Season that laid the foundation for greatness
By Jay Hovdey
From just about every angle it was a bloodless, dreary year. Three different colts won the three legs of the Triple Crown. The older horses were notable only for their inclination to share the wealth, while the leading mare managed to beat the boys in ...
January 12, 2012
Early odds favor LSU to take next season's BCS title
By Dave Tuley
The good news for LSU fans is that the Tigers are the favorite to win next year’s BCS title game, according to the first opening future-book odds from LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (formerly known as the Hilton until its branding lease expired on ...