Hallandale Beach, FL, September 26, 2026 — With every division represented, there are stacked cards scheduled at Belmont Par, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park beginning with an appearance by the remarkable division-leading Nitrogen Friday in the G1 Beldame on Long Island.
We’ll start with A-B-C grades for two significant events in Louisville:
CHURCHILL DOWNS
G3 ACK ACK Race 9
A: 3-OWEN ALMIGHTY 7-2 lifetime best at today’s trip, his best races at this or similar one-turn effort. 7-EAST AVENUE 4-1 owns competitive figures, has speed and favorable wide draw. 4-BISHOPS BAY 9-5 has improved for Cox this summer and likes the trip.
B: 8-Nu What’s New 3-1
C: 5-Prince of Power 30-1
G2 LUKAS CLASSIC Race 10
A: 3-TIZTASTIC 4-1 has developed nicely this summer at 4 for Asmussen, drops a notch, drops 3 pounds, and seven weeks fresh, nicely drawn inside with Hernandez.
B: 2-Dragoon Guard 9-2
C: 7-Chunk of Gold 2-1
***
SANTA ANITA PARK
G2 JOHN HENRY TURF CHAMPIONSIP Race 7
A: 7-ATITLAN 1-1 Horse for Course (3-for-5) comes off remarkable placing last out, coming from last to just miss despite moderate fractions, Mandella 3rd off the layup. 1-MONDEGO 3-1 made bold wide rally in last, taking lead too soon, 2-for-5 this trip, 3-for 20 all others.
B: 2-Sinsel 15-1, 3-Atomic Age 7-2
C: 6-Flashiest 20-1
Grade 1 GOODWOOD Race 8
A: 9-NEVADA BEACH 7-5, won this last, exits key race–3 0f 8 returning starters, loves the trip and course (3-for-4 and (4) 2-2-0 respectively, extremely sharp work—8th fastest of 134 peers week of 8/20.8-CALDERA 5-1, went 3-for-3 after barn switch to Saffie, progressive figures at 4, Paco 32% for this barn with sizable sample.
B: 3-McAfee 15-1
C: 6-Mr. A.P. 8-1
***
BELMONT PARK CANCELLED
There will be no live racing at Belmont Park Saturday and Sunday due to the expected arrival of a Nor-easter this weekend. Live racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday afternoon.
12 Responses
Hello John,
Thought I would drop you a bit of info in case you haven’t heard. Newsday pulled the plug on their horse racing coverage ( not that the coverage was anything to write home ).
Their lone public handicapper ( Mathews disappeared suddenly a few days ago). Anyway, glad I am still reading your work.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Yes, if you’re a Newsday subscriber then please contact Newsday and let them know how you feel that they pulled the plug on the daily entries and picks from Steve Matthews. 50 plus years of picks and entries in the paper went away without even an article from Newsday explaining their decision.
The no-explanation part of the equation is indefensible, a lack of respect for the readers and, of course, racing fans.
Indeed, phone calls will be noted. Nothing likely to change, but one never know.
I was there 17 years. Then publisher Dave Laventhol was a fan, even a part-owner. Late, great sports editor Dick Sandler saw handicapping as a “consumer service”
No real such thing anymore whatever the business.
Thanks for checking in… I speak to Steve periodically and he said he thought this was coming. It’s only the NY Post now.
Why are some of you surprised that,x whatever real reason,that once respected paper doesn’t carry horseracing picks anymore? How long has it been since they stopped with Yonkers harness racing? And even Yonkers itself stopped showing the ” attendance” numbers yrs before MGM plucked down over $ 800 million$ for it.Besides that,if I’m Not wrong,the size of that racing page went from some half page to about 1/3 ,with smaller print,and thus less emphasis,as if it was an afterthought.Again,making picks 3-4 days or more in advance does not make it taking it seriously,after it seems to be a part time gig, anyway. The reason why I stepped in today is to ask JP,with all of his experience: With the New Belmont and its Four tracks are some ‘ serious’ bettors,trainers trying to figure out the track with its different starts and finishes ? Are tighter turns helping most front runners,not rabbits, and making it more difficult for most closers? For myself,gathering this new info is above my head or interest since there is already too much to consider. Everyday is a lesson. Thanks
The truth is that Thoroughbred handicapping is a lesson every day.
Don’t overthink dynamics at the “New” park.
To me, it’s fundamentally the same; bias, is an every day observable thing. Don’ rush it, it will come.
Track maintenance crew is learning, too …
Change is inevitable in all aspects of sports and life itself. My personal philosophy is to not dwell on the negatives simply because it will tarnish my love for the game.
I am not trying to preach to anyone; I am just a 66 retiree who enjoys the racing game everyday.
I remember being 20 years old at Belmont ha ha where did all the years go.
That is one major reason why I usually skip the first race and if I failed to write down the probable $$ before that same first race starts I may even skip the second one..” We don’t Know How Good Someone is in their Profession,Management Until We Miss it. : Today got in after enjoying this Fantastic Autumn Saturday outdoors and at 6 pm watched the last Churchill race since there was no Belmont racing,nor Yankee-Sox baseball.I was comparing these two anonymous,faceless mouthpieces who were so bckned to BS about anything adolescent but horseracing.It really reminded me of the old days when ” Rock Talk Radio” stations were trying to act,sound like Howard Stern .Hey,what about the contenders,race? Does anyone talk about how the horses look? Any tendencies,impressions? Boy,did I miss Ms Meg W. and others,even the former baseball player,The Mick,et al ! Was this the present Fan Duel M.O. of doing business? Are they in Limbo! ” Snap Out if It” !! This Ain’t No interesting,nor interested, broadcasting!..So,yes,I missed those familiar voices,faces just like many of us miss the old broadcasters of other sports,even if we were not fans if those teams.If felt comfy,relaxing.( Think if the several Yankees ‘, Race callers ,Mets ,Jets, Giants and Rangers voices,or even Howard Cosell, and tell me that someone else has replaced them well). ..Go ahead…. Don’t believe that Nostalgia has much to do with it.. Interest,talent,knowledge and love and respect for the Sport and job are often missing,no matter how much they are compensated.. We used to reside one block from the bay.Hoping that this Nolo monster won’t cause too many problems.
Racing being dismissed by Newsday should not be a surprise. I admit,I miss the heyday of Newsday’s racing coverage led by Pricci,Moran and for awhile Marc Seigalaub and Brad Thomas.Matthews did it for so long and was always on target picking days in advance. Didn’t McNamara always write interesting columns. Good job by all.
Aaron do you remember the ‘outwells’ provided by Mark Berner?
Always wondered if it meant that the horse closing (late) well meant that it had traffic problems,ziz zag racing or was put in a wrong distance. I believe that Berner mentioned some general or colonel came up with that angle. Is it( still) worthwhile making notes of it How about the ( routes) Dosage Index? When was the last time any professional mentioned that with pre race proof ?
Yes,another good one.