The Rail’s Final Scoreboard, Year 6
How The Rail’s contributors did with their Triple Crown predictions.
View ArticlePhilotimo: a Horse Rescue Success Story
Philotimo is a 6-year-old off-the-track chestnut thoroughbred gelding. He’s transitioning to life as a riding horse, but his path has been fraught.
View ArticleThe Healer Behind the Belmont Winner of 1963
On June 8, 1963, Chateaugay, owned by Darby Dan Farm, trained by J. P. Conway and ridden by Braulio Baeza, won the Belmont Stakes at Aqueduct. A year earlier he had a condition that inhibited his...
View ArticleEssay: Medication Continues to Stifle America’s Triple Crown Hopes
A veterinarian writes that an understanding and appreciation of the science of equine behavior are necessary to elucidate how raceday Lasix impoverishes the medical welfare of racehorses.
View ArticleQ. and A. With Bobby Flay: Cooking Is Only One of His Passions
A conversation with the celebrity chef and horse breeder and owner Bobby Flay, who was honored with the Earle I. Mack Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Champion Award at the inaugural Belmont Stakes...
View ArticleAfter a Taxing Campaign, Orb Enjoys a Relaxing Retreat
Like a city kid at summer camp, the Kentucky Derby winner Orb appears to have settled in nicely at Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center in Maryland.
View ArticleSurprises Add Luster to a Season Without a Crown
Instead of being depressed about a season without a Triple Crown winner, a fan is joyously looking forward to watching the 2013 field of 3-year-olds start their next campaigns.
View ArticleDominguez, a Top Rider, Is Forced to Retire After a Head Injury
Ramon Dominguez, 36, announced his retirement from riding Thursday, after his doctors told him he could not risk another head injury.
View ArticleAfter Long Battle With Illness, Paynter Is Set to Make Return to Racetrack
Paynter is scheduled to make his first start Friday since his spectacular Grade I victory in the Haskell Stakes in August. Since that time, Paynter sustained a life-threatening bout of colitis, as well...
View ArticleQ. and A. With John Nerud: Still Saratoga Dreaming at 100
For John Nerud, even at 100 years old, the memories of Saratoga remain remarkably fresh and vivid, slices of an amazing life. And as Saratoga prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary as one of...
View ArticleSix Years of Picks
After six Triple Crown seasons, how The Rail's contributors have fared with their selections.
View ArticleThis Summer, New York Loves Horse Racing
For the first time in the 36-year history of New York State’s iconic “I Love NY” tourism campaign, a thrilling action image of horse racing is featured on the cover of the state’s annual summer travel...
View ArticleThe Ghost of Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones's failed Triple Crown bid in 2004 raises an interesting question: does preparing a horse to win the Crown put the animal in such a state of excitement that he can’t run properly in the...
View ArticleWorkouts Continue as Belmont Field Swells
There is a little more than a week to go before the Belmont Stakes, and many of the contenders completed workouts this week. In all, 16 horses are under consideration for the race, which is the maximum...
View ArticleThe 1913 Belmont: A New Look and a Dubious Upset
Fans noticed a new Belmont at the opening of the 1913 season; renovations had altered the familiar plant.
View ArticleFar From Track, Millionaire Racehorse Keeps Up Winning Ways
Nothing could shake Dry Martini. Not the dogfights of horse racing, where he won more than $1.4 million dollars, and certainly not foxhunting and jumping, where he dashed through the wilderness of the...
View ArticleFor the Jockey Gary Stevens, the Ride’s the Thing
The jockey Gary Stevens discussed his victory in the Preakness Stakes, roles in the film “Seabiscuit” and the HBO show “Luck.”
View ArticleWindow or Aisle Stall? Equine Frequent Fliers Check In
In the 1930s, trains were the primary transportation for cross-country equine travel. Today horses are frequent fliers.
View ArticleThe Rail Bookshelf: The Racehorse That Brought Us Together
A father and son shared one last memory watching Secretariat win the Belmont Stakes to capture the Triple Crown.
View ArticleYes, We’re Pregnant! Oxbow’s Dam and Sire Expecting Another Foal.
The dam Tizamazing and the sire Awesome Again have produced four winning racehorses, including the Preakness champion Oxbow.
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