Author Archives: Art Wilson

Maybe Greg Avioli, who is new to this train wreck called California horse racing, needs a lesson in how the industry here is faring these days. The former president and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup, who is now president/CEO of … Continue reading →

I can’t see anyone other than Acclamation or Bourbon Bay winning today’s $250,000 Grade I Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park. Those two have a huge class edge over the other four runners, and Acclamation loves the Hollywood Park … Continue reading →

Despite two boxcar winners, there will be no three-day carryover at Hollywood Park. The winning pick six returned $518,564.80 to two winning tickets on a day when there was a $312,00-plus carryover and 37-1 and 23-1 long shots won the … Continue reading →

If you play superfectas when you bet the races, you’ll be interested in this — the super at Hollywood Park in Saturday’s fourth race paid more than $144,000 for a buck. Nobody had it for a dollar, but seven tickets … Continue reading →

Since Affirmed became the 11th and most recent 3-year-old to win the Triple Crown in 1978, there have been three exceptional sophomores who won two-thirds of the crown but couldn’t grab all three. To me, Spectacular Bid in 1979, Alysheba … Continue reading →

Hollywood Park announced Wednesday that it will hold a memorial for jockey Michael Baze immediately following the races June 2. All those who wish to honor Baze, who was found dead in his vehicle in the Churchill Downs barn area … Continue reading →

It had to be very tempting for owner Ahmed Zayat to enter his talented 3-year-old colt, Nehro, in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. After all, he’d closed like a freight train to finish second in the Arkansas Derby behind Archarcharch on April … Continue reading →

So you think you like Astrology in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes? How about Concealed Identity or Flashpoint? Well, before you start picking any of the non-Derby starters to win the 1 3/16-mile race, you might want to consider this tidbit of … Continue reading →

How fitting that the final two major preps for the 137th Kentucky Derby, last Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes and the Arkansas Derby, were won by 19-1 and 25-1 long shots, respectively. That’s the way it’s been this year so far … Continue reading →

Santa Anita wrapped up its 74th season Sunday, but it didn’t come with a nice little bow on top. Yes, the 18,018 who showed up on track on closing day was a nice send-off, but the handle figures and the … Continue reading →