Patrick Moquin - Paddy's Picks

A Look Back: Reviewing Guest Picks for the 2024 Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is the final leg on the Triple Crown trail, but in the 2024 Paddy’s Picks backlogged triathlon, it’s the middle jewel, and a special one at that. For the first time in the history of the American Triple Crown, the 2024 Belmont Stakes was held at Saratoga Racecourse in Upstate New York. For any racing fan, it was the must-see event of the year. I stood beside my sister, Emma, and her friend, Niko, in the 161-year-old grandstand as the horses entered the final stretch.

There’s another story attached to this memory, one I mention among my guests’ picks. As the three of us looked for a spot with a view of the track, however, the most notable sensation was the awe-inspiring energy from the gathering crowd. It reminded me of photos of World Series games, when people crowded on top of surrounding buildings to get a peek of the field while countless others gathered around radios outside local shops. It was idyllic pandemonium. read more

A Look Back: Reviewing Guest Picks for the 2024 Preakness Stakes

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Esme Bleecker-Adams for her illustration in this article’s featured image.

The 2024 Preakness Stakes occurred five months ago. The 2024 Belmont Stakes occurred two weeks after that. The 2024 Travers Stakes occurred in late August. Paddy’s Picks guests provided analysis for all three races, and everyone’s favorite editor slacked off in his publishing duties.

To provide some semblance of a defense for myself, these guest articles have become rather difficult to write after four years. Most of you have already been introduced; you all have distinct personas and narratives on this site after making dozens of picks. Your motivations and quirks have been defined. My job is to add more paint to the picture, but at this point, it feels like I’m just cramming details into crowded corners. read more

Race of the Day: 2024 Travers Stakes Analysis

After dedicating so much time in my full-card analysis discussing the fanfare and history surrounding the Travers Stakes, it should be clear to anyone who wasn’t already painfully aware that I tend to be sentimental about sports. This isn’t really a matter of debate.

If you can believe it, this occasionally gets me into trouble with other sports fans. I get a lot of ‘rose-colored glasses’ accusations, or sometimes even an outright dismissal on the grounds that I’m being unrealistic or contrarian. I don’t even disagree with people who make those claims. I like radical decisions and big risks and I’m accepting of failure when they don’t work. I want to see something incredible every time I watch a sporting event, and I don’t see the harm in rooting for such things. read more

Saratoga Analysis: Saturday, August 24, 2024

As I write this in Oceanside on Travers Day morning, thousands of people are packing into Saratoga Racecourse to get a seat for one of the greatest racing events of the year. I don’t want you to take me for a slouch. I’m a fervent table gatherer at Saratoga myself, having made the run countless times on annual trips to the Spa. Even for me though, those at the track today strike me as radicals.

There will come a year where I eventually go to the Travers and brave the capacity crowd. There are also days when I envy racegoers who can go to Saratoga whenever they want, and there may be a moment later today where I feel that same way. But as I brave the dawn and toss and turn on my couch on Long Island, writing to all of you this morning, I must admit that I’m rather content. read more

Race of the Day: 2024 Whitney Stakes Analysis

This year’s running of the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga is one of the most intriguing in recent history, revolving around one idea: No one seems to be afraid of National Treasure.

In past years, daunting favorites have consistently deterred most challengers, leading to very small fields. This year, 11 runners have entered to take a shot at the leader of the weak older males division. As a handicapper, it’s hard to ask for much more.

As usual, I’ll be providing full analysis of the race in post position order. In addition, I’ve gone back and added a sentence for each horse to take the rain and sloppy track into account. The weather is sure to shake up this field, and I wanted to provide readers with up-to-date information. Let’s get to it. read more

Race of the Day: 2024 Haskell Stakes Analysis

My relationship with Monmouth Park has soured somewhat in the past year or so, mostly because of my inept handicapping when I go there. Nevertheless, the G1 Haskell remains one of the biggest races of the year, necessitating a return to Paddy’s Picks.

This year’s field in Jersey is a ton of fun, as it features the typical lot of local runners facing off against the best three-year-olds in the country. This might seem like a silly arrangement, and it is, but I’d much rather watch an eight-horse race with three stiffs than a five-horse race with a wire-to-wire winner. read more

Paddy’s Picks Analysis, Picks For The 2024 Belmont Stakes

Greetings from Saratoga Springs! For those of you who unaware, due to renovations at Belmont Racetrack, this year’s Belmont Stakes is being held at Saratoga Racecourse for the first time in the race’s history. I’m lucky enough to be in attendance and writing to you from the track this morning.

While this year’s Belmont Stakes field isn’t anything special, the historic nature of this venue change is certain to elevate it, while also transforming it into a different event. From a sporting standpoint, cutting the race back to 1 ¼ miles makes it more closely resemble the Travers in August. There has been talk of shortening the marathon race for a long time, and while I can understand the temporary change to accompany Saratoga, I sincerely hope it doesn’t stay this way forever. read more

Paddy’s Picks for the 2024 Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes has been disappointing for me in recent years. This may sound ungrateful, and it is, but one must admit that it’s been a rough couple of years for the poor Triple Crown race.

While a winning ticket in the Kentucky Derby still eludes me, the race always promises elite competition and excitement. The Belmont Stakes is usually a wonderfully unique contest and fascinating handicapping exercise in my home state. More often than not, the Preakness doesn’t offer any of this. read more

The Casual Bet: Guest Handicappers Analyze The 2024 Kentucky Derby

Featured in Illustration: Affirmed and jockey Steve Cauthen Winning the 1978 Kentucky Derby (Illustration Courtesy of Esmé Bleecker-Adams)

To pull back the curtain on the Paddy’s Picks process, I usually write the introductions to these articles at the end. The problem is that I’m currently in a car in the middle of Pennsylvania on the way to my sister’s graduation. So you’ll all have to forgive me if I’m a little succinct in setting the stage for this year’s Kentucky Derby. read more

Paddy’s Picks 2024 Kentucky Derby Analysis

A Kentucky Derby without Bob Baffert is like an oil tanker without a fireworks display. Plenty of things can still go wrong, but you’re feeling a lot safer onboard, aren’t you?

Instead of transferring his Derby hopefuls to his colleague, Tim Yakteen, this year, Baffert tried to get around his Churchill Downs ban through the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The court’s decision to enforce the racetrack’s restrictions is a clear win for those who consider Baffert’s doping history to be a stain on the sport. From a purely competitive point of view, however, it is unfortunate that superstar colt Muth, along with a few others in Baffert’s stable, are therefore ineligible to run. read more