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With the Belmont Stakes this weekend, we fondly acknowledge Ron Turcotte, the Hall of Fame winning jockey. His remarkable finish aboard Secretariat in the 1973 Triple Crown, winning by an astounding 31 lengths and setting a course, stakes and track record which still stand today.
Ron Turcotte represents the pinnacle of success in the sport of thoroughbred racing. In a career spanning 17 years with more than 3000 victories, Turcotte is still renowned for his integrity and achievements, both on and off the track.
Born and raised in Canada, like the high-performance Semican hullfree oats which proudly bears his name, he remains the benchmark for excellence and the pride of the True North.
Semican hullfree oats are 100% natural, unprocessed, non-GMO oat kernels with blended energy from starch and oil. Hullfree oat kernels that have the highest nutrient dense level of protein (17%), amino acid and the highest level of energy rich oil (9%) on the market. With 30% more calories and more digestible energy than covered oats, it is an ideal combination for all performance equine athletes, broodmares, stallions and growing horses.
Semican proudly supports the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund by donating parts of its revenues of Semican Equavena Turcotte Line.
You can find Semican in our section for Horse Bedding & Feed. You can find more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.
In this educational video, Cadbury the mustang is introduced to a flag for the first time—a big moment in desensitization and trust-building!
Using positive reinforcement (yes, cookies!) and patience, I give Cadbury time to think, process, and choose to engage without pressure. This gentle approach helps create a confident, willing horse who trusts the process.
This is a great example of natural horsemanship and how mustangs can learn through kindness and consistency. Whether you're working with a mustang or any young horse, this video offers useful insight into how to use flags in training without fear or force.
Read more: Mustang Meets Flag for the First Time - positive reinforcement
No other sport provides a better spectacle than horse racing, which is especially very popular in Europe and America. It is one of the oldest sports and even now is regarded as one of the most popular pastimes to watch and bet on.
For horse racing enthusiasts, nothing is more thrilling and exciting than going to the races. That’s why, they are always looking for information about the Melbourne Cup tickets.
The Kentucky Derby is also called ‘the fastest two minutes in sports’ and is enormously popular in the world. Also known as ‘Run for the Roses’, it is the most eagerly awaited race among horse racing enthusiasts and punters. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Churchill Downs in May every year to witness some of the best sporting spectacle. Some of the best three-year thoroughbreds compete over a distance of 1 ¼ miles.
The most famous horses in the history of this race are Secretariat and American Pharoah. Its inaugural race was run in 1875 and it carries a purse of $3 million.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is regarded as one of the most prestigious races in North America. It constitutes the fourth and final leg of the horse racing’s Grand Slam. Only one horse in history, American Pharoah, has managed to win this Grand Slam in 2015.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic also boasts one of the highest attendances in the US.
Whoever wins this race mostly also go on to win the Eclipse Award for American Horse of the Year as well.
Today we’re welcoming a brand new off-track Thoroughbred to the farm — meet As For a King.
He was bred for speed, but racing just wasn’t his thing. Too slow for the track, but full of heart and potential, this gelding is ready to discover a new path and purpose.
Follow along as we pick him up straight from the racetrack, bring him home, and begin the journey of transitioning into a new career. Whether it’s trail riding, liberty, or something else entirely — we’ll be exploring what he enjoys most.
Tip for OTTB transitions: Give your new horse time, freedom, and variety. Let them decompress before expecting a new job.
Read more: Picking Up a Retired Thoroughbred Racehorse: ‘As For a King’ Begins (11:54)
The Belmont Stakes returns to Saratoga Race Course for the second year in a row, reshaping how bettors approach this iconic finale to the Triple Crown.
With the distance now set at 1¼ miles—shorter than the traditional 1½—bettors must recalibrate their strategies. From bloodlines and pace projections to post position trends, success demands more than backing a favorite. In 2025, Saratoga’s unique surface and layout add further complexity. This guide walks through the three angles top handicappers prioritize: pedigree, pace, and position—tools that help separate hype from real value.
Bloodlines offer clues to a horse’s likely performance under specific conditions. At a demanding distance like 1¼ miles, stamina and surface preference become critical.
Some sires consistently produce horses that excel at longer distances. For the Belmont Stakes, bloodlines from horses such as Tapit, Curlin, or Empire Maker have proven reliable. These stallions have passed on both physical toughness and mental composure—traits needed for a testing route at Saratoga.
A closer look at recent contenders like Tiz the Law and Essential Quality shows how pedigree remains a key predictor. Handicappers often analyze not just the sire, but the dam line too, as mares contribute significantly to stamina traits. A well-bred colt with classic distance success in its lineage generally commands more attention on race day.
Unlike turf or synthetic surfaces, dirt requires a different style of movement and muscle engagement. Horses bred for turf may show early promise but often fail to maintain pace on deeper, looser dirt tracks like Saratoga’s. Evaluating prior generations for dirt-specific success—especially at Grade I level—is vital. If a horse’s full siblings or close relatives have run well at Saratoga or Churchill Downs, it’s a strong signal that the horse may handle the Belmont surface similarly.
In horse racing, how a race unfolds can matter more than raw talent. Understanding pace scenarios helps bettors identify which horses are best positioned to benefit—especially in deep, demanding races like the Belmont Stakes.
The 1¼-mile distance typically encourages a more measured early pace, especially when run at Saratoga. Horses that blast to the front often face fatigue in the final furlong, while deep closers risk being too far back. That’s why pace versatility matters. Horses who can settle mid-pack and make one decisive move tend to excel. Reviewing Brisnet or Timeform pace figures can help identify whether a horse consistently runs to its preferred style or struggles under pressure.
Pace projection also involves comparing previous performances across similar fields. For example, if a colt faced multiple speed horses in a prep race and still managed a strong closing kick, it suggests suitability for a similarly structured Belmont field.
Conversely, a horse that benefited from a soft lead may not find that luxury on June 7. Watching race replays, noting internal fractions, and identifying where each horse started their move helps inform expectations.
The post draw doesn’t decide the race, but it can shape how a jockey executes a plan. Saratoga’s configuration adds new complexity, especially with the shorter run into the first turn compared to Belmont Park.
Drawing the rail or inner gates can be a double-edged sword. While it may save ground, it also risks being boxed in early. Horses breaking from inside often need early tactical speed to avoid traffic issues. In a field with multiple pace types, horses from posts 1 through 4 may be forced to either send hard or check back, both of which can compromise finishing strength. Bettors should watch how their preferred horse handled tight quarters in past races.
Wider draws offer more flexibility—especially for stalkers or off-pace runners. From posts 5 to 9, jockeys have more room to maneuver without getting caught in the early rush. Still, posts beyond 10 can be a liability if the field breaks unevenly. Horses from the far outside often cover more ground, and Saratoga’s first turn comes up quickly. Knowing a horse’s ability to break alertly and maintain position helps mitigate concerns around gate assignment.
With contenders like Sovereignty and Journalism in the mix, handicappers must blend these variables effectively. Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, skipped the Preakness and is training sharply. His pedigree suggests stamina, and his tactical speed gives him an edge at 1¼ miles.
Journalism, on the other hand, closed strongly in the Preakness but may need pace help. If drawn wide, his running style could still suit Saratoga’s long stretch. Both have credentials, but their exact gate draws and workout reports will sharpen or diminish their appeal.
Some bettors also look to horses exiting races like the Peter Pan Stakes or Blue Grass Stakes as indicators. The spacing between those races and Belmont allows time for recovery and strategic training. Past winners have used both routes, depending on barn style and individual horse conditioning.
Handicappers also factor in jockey decisions and trainer patterns. For instance, if an elite rider like Irad Ortiz Jr. takes a mount over another, it signals confidence. Likewise, if a trainer has a strong Saratoga record, especially in route races, it’s worth noting. Combining all these signals with pace projections and pedigree profiles is how sharp bettors build their Belmont tickets.
The 2025 Belmont Stakes is set to deliver intrigue from every angle—venue, field, and format. With the lineup expected soon, now is the time to refine strategies. Whether you're drawn to a blueblood colt with tactical speed or a late-running outsider with proven grit, the winning ticket likely hinges on a balance of pedigree, pace, and post. History may not repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Smart betting starts by studying the rhythm.
There are more interesting articles in our section on Racing & Wagering.
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