In today’s world of Thoroughbred horse racing, the path to winning an Eclipse award as champion 2-year-old is relatively clear. First, you win a maiden race for horses who have never won a race before. Then, you try to win at least one graded stakes race (preferably a Grade 1) and hopefully more; finally, you win either the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile or Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies to become the clear-cut champion of your division.
Tag: The Sport
Five Key Takeaways You Need to Know From Opening Weekend at Saratoga
Tom Pedulla presents five key takeaways from Saturday’s $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and other major weekend developments:
In Italian Sets Record in Diana Victory, Mo Strike Scores in Sanford Stakes
Out on the Mellon Turf Course, 4-year-old filly In Italian was just rolling along in the $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course July 16. Really, she was torching the Spa lawn, running the first quarter-mile in :22.45 seconds and the half in :45.83.
A Patient and Versatile Craftsman, Jonathan Sheppard Achieved Staggering Success
There are few certainties in life or in the sport of horse racing. But just as you could count on the changing of the seasons, you could count on Jonathan Sheppard sending out winners by the dozen, year after year, in tests of both pure speed and dexterity over jumps. He retired from training in the U.S. before the 2021 season, but maintains a small stable in Ireland.
