Latest from Rowan Ward
Arc de Triomphe: Minnie Hauk looms large but longshots can go close
2025/10/03
Sunday, October 5 at ParisLongchamp is the most prestigious turf race in the world: the Group 1 Prix de lāArc de Triomphe! The race draws the best 1 Ā½-mile turf horses from around the world to battle for the glory of winning one of the worldās great races. The spoils are rich, too: a ā¬5 […]
Pennsylvania Derby: Gosger can work the right trip
2025/09/18
The last big opportunity for the three-year-old classic crop to chase a seven-figure purse against their own age group happens Saturday, September 20 in the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. The 1 ā
-mile dirt race drew a field of 10 headlined by Baeza and Gosger, two Triple-Crown placegetters who finally get to […]
Natalma Stakes: Dixie Law is price play in competitive turf race
2025/09/11
Top juvenile grass fillies take the spotlight Saturday, September 13 as part of Turf Champions Day at Woodbine in the Grade 1, $500,000 Natalma Stakes! The race covers one mile on the inner turf, and at stake is not only a lucrative purse but also an automatic bid to the Breedersā Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. […]
Travers Stakes: Sovereignty can stay atop the division
2025/08/21
The richest and most exciting race of the summer at Saratoga Race Course happens Saturday, August 23: the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes! Since 1864, many of the best horses have shown up to Saratoga to try the Traversā¦and, with so many notorious upsets in the race, it is always one of the most […]
Arlington Million: Fort Washington can step into spotlight
2025/08/07
Older turf routers take the stage Saturday, August 9 in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. The worldās first million-dollar Thoroughbred horse race when it began in 1981 at Arlington Park, this jewel of the American turf racing season has outlasted its original home track, which hosted its last live racing season in […]
Haskell Stakes: Preakness winner Journalism is ready for triumphant return
2025/07/17
The Haskell Stakes (G1) happens Saturday, July 19 at Monmouth Park! The $1 million race covers 1 ā
miles on the dirt, and it is the first major summer race for three-year-old main-track horses in the summer. Some of the sportās greats have won this race: American Pharoah, Holy Bull, Rachel Alexandra, Serenaās Song, and […]
Diana Stakes: Division leader She Feels Pretty can shine once more
2025/07/11
The best older turf fillies and mares in the country clash Saturday, July 12 in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. The 1 ā
-mile grass race, open to female horses aged four and older, is a perennial showcase of the best middle-distance turf mares in the country, and sometimes even from abroad. Horses who […]
Belmont Stakes 2025: Baeza can step into spotlight
2025/06/04
The Triple Crown draws to a close with the 2025 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7. With Belmont Park under construction until 2026, the race is at Saratoga one more time, at 1 Ā¼ miles on the dirt. Next year, it will return to its traditional course and distance, 1 Ā½ miles on the Belmont […]
Kentucky Derby 2025: Burnham Square can work the right trip
2025/04/29
Whether youāve been betting horses for years or youāre curious to do it for the first time, betting the Kentucky Derby is an opportunity you cannot miss! The race happens Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs, and itās the best betting race of the year. 20 of the best three-year-olds line up to go a […]
Pegasus World Cup 2025: Stronghold can score signature win
2025/01/21
The dirt racing season for older horses gets real Saturday, January 27 with the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. The race goes 1 ā
miles on the dirt course, and it drew a full field of exciting runners ready to jump to the lead in the division. It is also one of […]
Breeders' Cup Classic 2024: Forever Young is good enough to beat older
2024/10/31
If you bet on horse racing, you cannot miss the $7 million Breedersā Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, November 2. The race is the richest of all the world championship races. It covers 1 Ā¼ miles on the dirt at Del Mar, and always draws a mix of sophomores from the Triple Crown trail, later-blooming […]
Travers Stakes 2024: Thorpedo Anna has the tools to succeed
2024/08/22
The Saratoga Race Course summer meet is the racing highlight of the year, and the high point of summer at the Spa is the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 24! Eight of the best three-year-old dirt horses in the country will line up to go the classic 1 Ā¼ miles on the dirt. […]
Belmont Derby: Up-and-coming Trikari can win again
2024/07/04
Racing at Belmont Park may be on hiatus through construction, but the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby is still alive and well as one of the best three-year-old turf races of the year. The race happens at Aqueduct this year, and will be conducted at 1 3/16 miles over their turf course. With an exciting […]
Belmont Stakes: Mystik Dan can back up Kentucky Derby win
2024/06/06
The third and final jewel of the Triple Crown, the 2024 Belmont Stakes, happens on Saturday, June 8. Due to construction at Belmont Park it is taking a two-year hiatus away from its traditional home. However, it will still be in New York: the race will cover 1 Ā¼ miles on the dirt at Saratoga […]
Kentucky Derby 2024: Honor Marie can step up at the right price
2024/05/03
Betting the Kentucky Derby is one of the highlights of the year for anyone who likes to wager on horse racing or sports, and the race is coming up Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs. 20 of the best three-year-olds in the country will go 1 Ā¼ miles for some of the best prizes in […]
Kentucky Oaks 2024: Leslie's Rose is blooming at two turns
2024/05/03
The biggest race of the year for three-year-old fillies is coming up Friday, May 3 at Churchill Downs: the Kentucky Oaks! The purse has been raised to $1.5 million, and some of the best sophomore fillies in the country will go 1 ā
miles at Churchill Downs for those spoils and the iconic blanket of […]
Santa Anita Derby: Tapalo is the betting value
2024/04/04
If you are serious about horse racing betting, you cannot miss the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday, April 8! The race features a field of eight to vie for $750,000 purse as well as 100-50-25-15-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to eligible horses among the top five finishers. If an eligible horse wins […]
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024: Galopin Des Champs has the class and stamina
2024/03/14
The most eagerly-awaited race of the Cheltenham Festival is almost here: the Ā£625,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup (G1) on Friday, March 15! Spanning 22 fences at a distance of three miles, two and a half furlongs, it drew a field of 12 top chasers all hoping to win the most prestigious prize of the jumps racing […]
Saudi Cup: Hot early pace will help Ushba Tesoro finish best
2024/02/22
The richest race in the world happens Saturday, February 24 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh: the $20 million Saudi Cup. The 1,800-meter (about 1 ā
-mile) race drew an overflow field of older horses from all over the world. The middle distance means the race is always an intriguing mix of milers, classic-distance horses, and […]
Holy Bull: Pletcher should have Fierceness ready to defend crown
2024/01/31
The Gulfstream Park spur of the Kentucky Derby trail is one of the most exciting horse racing betting events of the year, and it gets underway Saturday, February 3 with the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3)! In addition to the rich purse, the 1 1/16-mile race offers 20-10-6-4-2 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to […]