Horse Racing News and Thoroughbred Racing Links @ Onefasthorse.com

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about the Belmont Stakes. Does it still stand as an important race any more at its 12-furlong format, especially without a Triple Crown on the line? And is it really the “Test of Champions”? Or could it stand some changes – like most major mainstream sporting events – to keep up with the times? Watch and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about the demise of Pimlico, the longtime and current home of the Preakness S. – one of the industry’s biggest and most coveted events – in Baltimore, Maryland. While the second leg of the Triple Crown is sure to remain as an important race on the racing schedule, will it soon have to find a new home? Watch and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about up-and-coming California-based jockey Martin Garcia, whose hard work has been rewarded in part by landing the mount aboard champion Lookin At Lucky for Saturday’s Preakness S. (G1). Watch and comment.

With another Triple Crown season upon us, Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar to salute trainer D. Wayne Lukas for 30 years of excellence in the 3-year-old Classics. Lukas, who has Grade 1 winner Dublin ready to make a mark on this year’s Derby, has won an astounding 13 Triple Crown races -  including four Derbies, four Belmonts and five Preaknesses. Watch and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about trainer Todd Pletcher’s 0-for-24 record in the Kentucky Derby. With as many as seven starters eligible to run in this year’s Run for the Roses – including heavy favorite Eskendereya, will Pletcher finally get the monkey off his back? Watch video and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about champion Lookin At Lucky, who he believes can snap a trend of 2-year-old champions that have failed to win the Kentucky Derby. Watch video and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about the more modest groups of Thoroughbred owners – or the ‘little guys’ – and their importance to the industry in terms of those owners having regular involvement in the sport’s biggest and most coveted race – the Kentucky Derby. Watch video and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about the need for horse racing to follow suit of many sports and run it’s most prized event – the Kentucky Derby – at night during prime time. Churchill Downs is now equipped for it with the new installation of permanent lights, but are they ready to break tradition in order to grow the sport when most of the world is tuning in? Watch video and comment.

Ray Paulick goes Under the Raydar about the graded-stakes earnings system that is currently in place to qualify the 20 three-year-olds that will make the gate in the Kentucky Derby. Where are the flaws in the current system, and how should it be improved for the betterment of the industry’s most prized race? Ray tells you in this quick video. Watch and comment.

Ray Paulick talks about placings in the final prep races and their historical impact on the Kentucky Derby. Only paying attention to the winners could be a big mistake come the first Saturday in May. Watch video and comment.

The Final Four is relevant in both college basketball and horse racing this time of year. Ray Paulick discusses the significance of horse racing’s Final Four – Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass S. & Arkansas Derby – which represent the final four Grade 1 prep races leading up to the May 1 Kentucky Derby. Watch video and comment.

Ray talks about the million dollar question (or two million) for Triple Crown contenders this time of year: Who will get the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby? While there is no exact science to indicate the ones that will – and ones that will not – until they line up to try it on May 1st, you may be surprised at one high-profile Derby contender Ray is skeptical about.

Ray wonders how Rachel Alexandra’s lackluster performance in her comeback race at Fair Grounds will effect owner Jess Jackson. Will Jackson sit quiet on the sidelines while his star filly takes time to rebound? Or will the bold owner turn his focus towards the upcoming Triple Crown and look to acquire a promising 3-year-old colt?

While Kathryn Bigelow made history for a female director at the Academy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles, trainer Alexis Barba sent out Sham winner Alphie’s Bet the evening prior in Los Angeles, giving the female conditioner a contender that could make history in the Kentucky Derby.

Always the cautious optimist, Ray acknowledges the shortcomings of recent Gotham Stakes winners. With the exception of Secretariat, few super horses have come from this historic race. Will Awesome Act fall in line with the usual or is there something more to this British Invader?

Ray talks about the emergence of leading West Coast Triple Crown contender Caracortado, who recently remained undefeated with an impressive win in the Bob Lewis S. (G2). Who is this Cal-bred and where did he come from?

Ray talks about the latest allegations behind troubled owner Ahmed Zayat, who was recently alleged to have had financial ties to convicted bookmakers, and how it could impact his ownership of top Triple Crown hopeful Eskendereya.

Ray talks about the impact that both Mother Nature and synthetic tracks have had thus far on the road to the Triple Crown.

Fresh off filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after defaulting on loans from Fifth Third Bank, Zayat Stables watched the emergence of leading Kentucky Derby contender Eskendereya, who ran away with the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) on Feb. 20. As the value of this son of Giant’s Causeway continues to rise, what will happen with his ownership leading up to the Triple Crown?