This week marks a traditional high point in anticipation on the North American horse racing calendar, as Saratoga Race Course begins its summer meet July 10. The lead-in vibe is a bit different this year, as historic upstate New York track held brief meets in early June and then again just last weekend for the July 4th Racing Festival normally run at Belmont Park. Nevertheless, the focus of the racing world will still be on “the Spa” as leading horses, trainers, and jockeys all arrive for seven-plus weeks of competition in an unparalleled setting.
Racing at Saratoga is showcased on the popular “Saratoga Live” show airing on FOX Sports channels. As happened last year, the program will be broadcast nationwide for several hours on FOX most Saturdays during the live meet, but that part of the schedule doesn’t begin until July 19. This week, racing from opening Thursday through July 12 will air on either FS2 or FS1—check the below schedule for channels and times. A live telecast of harness racing at the Meadowlands is also set for Saturday evening, July 11 on FS2.
Colonial Downs also begins its popular summer meet this week, starting July 9. Live racing from the New Kent, Va., track will air on FanDuel TV along with action from tracks such as Ellis Park, Monmouth Park, Gulfstream Park, and Woodbine as part of the network’s comprehensive package.
Horse racing from tracks around the world is available to subscribers on Racetrack Television Network (RTN), which can be livestreamed on all devices (computer, tablet and smartphone) and on TV via DISH Network, Amazon Fire and Roku.
Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race “Stars of Tomorrow I” program, exclusively for 2-year-olds. The card drew 125 entries, including also-eligibles, for an average of 11.4 entrants per race. Churchill will race Wednesday through Sunday until Nov. 30. The opening-day card…
Maryland horsemen have emerged as meaningful beneficiaries of the collaborative dual-state stakes schedule and new bonus incentives, according to statistics covering the period from June 21 through August 23 of this year. Regional Cooperation Brings Expanded Opportunities The joint Maryland-Virginia stakes program was born out of discussions on regional cooperation to maximize racing opportunities. With…
Croix du Nord, winner of the June 1 Japanese Derby (G1), and Byzantine Dream, second-place finisher in the May 4 Tenno Sho Spring (G1), were shipped from Narita Airport Aug. 29 and arrived at Le Bourget Airport in France the next evening. This is the first international trip for Kitasan Black ‘s Croix du Nord, while…
Just past the midpoint of the final session of The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s select yearling sale, John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock went to $3 million for a son of Spendthrift Farm’s Into Mischief . The colt consigned as Hip 178 by Gainesway, agent for Stonestreet Bred for Brilliance, is the second foal of the stakes-winning, grade 1-placed Bernardini…
While the New York Thoroughbred racing industry eagerly awaits the expected Fall 2026 re-opening of Belmont Park, one of the circuit’s oldest stakes also sits on hold. The New York Racing Association is putting the Brooklyn Stakes (G2) on a one-year furlough with plans to bring it back next year at Belmont Park at its…
By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
The Road to the Kentucky
Derby heads to Tampa Bay Downs this Saturday for the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby
(G3).
A quality field has entered
the 1 1/16-mile race. Three of the seven entrants are stakes winners. Three of
the seven have won or…
