View from the Grandstand

By Bob Ehalt —- Secretariat runs on the turf during historic 1973 campaign (photo courtesy of Adam Coglianse). He won the Belmont Stakes by a preposterous 31 lengths and established a new world record time in the process. In the inaugural Marlboro Cup, he dispatched a field...

By Bob Hill, TSV Staff Writer —- Always Dreaming will be the post-time favorite in the Preakness Stakes at very low odds. He should be. His win in the Kentucky Derby was dominate and impressive. He showed the tactical speed and staying power that define great horses in...

By Bob Hill, TSV Staff Writer —- In 2012, the criteria for qualifying Kentucky Derby entrants was altered. Prior to that time total earnings in graded stakes races were used as the means for determining the ranking of Derby hopefuls. The system was widely criticized due to...

By Bob Hill, TSV Turf Writer —- Derby Day at Churchill Downs offers up seven different Pick-4 or Pick-5 opportunities. That many races will challenge any handicapper’s wallet, so I advise that you play the ones that look most appealing to you. Of course, partnering up with...

By Bob Hill, TSV Staff Writer (Editor’s Note: join Bob and Senior Writer Ron Correll Saturday morning on radio station WFMB 1450 AM at 9:20 am for a complete Derby breakdown) Rain if forecast for Thursday and Friday of this week. For that reason, I am providing Pick 4...

By Bob Hill, TSV Staff Writer —- With apologies to Lauren Stitch and Laurie Ross, both of whom have forgotten more about the pedigrees of thoroughbred horse than I’ve ever known, I’m hoping this layman’s look at sire lines of this year’s Kentucky Derby contenders offers...