Author: Patrick Moquin

Paddy’s Picks February Invitational: Week 3 Recap

My attempts to escape the chalk may have failed, but the Fair Grounds Stakes was nevertheless a worthwhile stop in the Paddy’s Picks February Invitational. A victory for reputable turf runner Two Emmys at 9-5 odds shook up both divisions in the competition while keeping things extremely close going into the final week.

Between the scratch of deep closer Corelli and a hotly contested debate among guests between a pair of rival horses, there was plenty to appreciate about this week in New Orleans and its impact on the Invitational. Let’s take a closer look: read more

Paddy’s Picks February Invitational: Week 3 Preview

The Paddy’s Picks February Invitational continues on to its third week, where competitors will evaluate the G3 Fair Grounds Stakes at the Fair Grounds Race Course outside New Orleans.

As I write this, it’s approximately noon on the beautiful Penn State campus, where I’m visiting my sister and guest competitor Emma Moquin for the weekend. I’m exhausted, so if my writing for this preview doesn’t reflect my usual zest for life and the people in it, I offer that as an excuse.

In the first two weeks of this Invitational competition, guests analyzed the G3 Robert B. Lewis and G3 Withers Stakes, two prep races for the Kentucky Derby which yielded predictable winners at short prices. Regardless of the result this week, the Fair Grounds is almost certain to provide more value. read more

Hit Show Wins Withers Stakes, Wood Memorial Likely Next Race

The following article was submitted for my Sports Journalism class at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. I’ve received permission from my professors to post it on my pony blog. Enjoy! And if there’s a typo, don’t tell me.

Three-year-old colt Hit Show took his first step down the rose-laden path Saturday, winning the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack to earn 20 points toward Kentucky Derby qualification. Owned by Gary and Mary West, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Manny Franco, the Kentucky-based runner successfully invaded New York and will likely return for the Wood Memorial Stakes in April. read more

Paddy’s Picks February Invitational: Week 2 Recap

I’ll be honest — the February Invitational has been a bit of a mixed bag so far. In Week 2, the G3 Withers, which featured a diverse field from around the country, ultimately came down to two favorites, with 6-5 Brad Cox trainee Hit Show breezing past 8-5 second choice Arctic Arrogance in the stretch to win by a wide margin. Last week, even-money favorite Newgate outlasted long shot Hard to Figure to win at a similarly short price.

In some ways, these obvious results have harmed the competition, as guests have not had to be very creative and have actually been punished for value plays. In another sense, however, it has kept things entertaining in a long-term sense. Regardless of whether competitors have won both or neither events, they are still in contention to win their division with two weeks remaining. read more

Paddy’s Picks February Invitational: Week 2 Preview

After a tricky, vaguely silly first week of the Paddy’s Picks February Invitational, it’s time to get down to business. This week, guest competitors in the experienced and casual divisions will be analyzing the G3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Originally, my plan was to give my competitors a turf race in the second week, which would provide variety and test their handicapping skills in a different way. But because of a fortunate turn of events in real life, I decided to change that plan. read more

Paddy’s Picks February Invitational: Week 1 Recap

It’s time to try something new. But not too new.

Welcome to the Inaugural Paddy’s Picks Invitational, a handicapping competition intended to find the most talented guests on this oft-celebrated, participation-trophy-winning website. 13 competitors, split into experienced and casual divisions, will battle through the month of February for the ultimate prizes: a hand-drawn picture of a horse by me (Patrick Moquin), as well as a “crazy” horse-themed ballpoint pen. These prizes may seem quaint to some, but for some reason, my guests have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. read more

Race of the Day: 2023 Pegasus World Cup Analysis

In its seventh year as the premier horse racing event… in January, the Pegasus World Cup hasn’t exactly captured the imagination of horsemen, nor has it appealed much to fans. The 1 ⅛-mile race on the dirt at Gulfstream Park doesn’t typically attract international stars as the race’s title would suggest and a purse decrease in 2020 hasn’t helped matters.

But though the fields for the invitational have suffered in terms of quality in recent years, they have also remained large, as 12 runners typically line up regardless of the circumstances. After a 2022 season in which nearly every American star of the sport retired, this year’s Pegasus field lacks a killer and could therefore provide value. read more

Building A Super: 2022 Malibu Stakes w/ Kristina Stevanovic & Niko Konstantellis

Santa Anita, Race 10                                                                   

Malibu Stakes (G1) for Three-Year-Olds and Upward, Seven Furlongs on the Dirt

Welcome back one and all to a holiday edition of the Paddy’s Picks Podcast! Today, we’ll be looking at the G1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita in a slightly altered format. After speaking to an army of contributors for this year’s Breeders’ Cup and enjoying the process immensely, I received an idea from guest Kristina Stevanovic, who suggested that a few people should return someday to put together a superfecta live for listeners. In other words, come to an agreement on a bet that includes the four horses that we believe will finish first, second, third and fourth in the race. I’ll be doing just that with her help, along with Niko Konstantellis, another longtime Paddy’s Picks contributor. For those of you who were expecting fellow Fordham alum George McKnight to join as well, that was the plan at one point but he unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute. The quartet became a trio but we eventually came to an agreement after some bickering. Please enjoy. read more

A Look Back: Reviewing Guest Picks for the 2022 Cigar Mile

Who wants an introduction? This article is nearly 9,000 words long and it’s taken me two weeks to put together, but if an introduction is what you all want, then I’m more than happy to provide. I wish I could hear all of you clamoring.

As is always the case in these guest articles, I asked too many people to pick the winner of a high-profile horse race. I introduce them, they make a pick and explain, and then I either dole out quaint praise or hard-hitting criticism. This time, it was the G1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, an excellent dirt race that lived up to the hype despite a short field. read more

Race of the Day: 2022 G1 Cigar Mile Analysis

This year’s Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Racetrack will likely be the last big race on the New York racing calendar in 2022, as the track eventually makes way for claiming races and subpar allowances for a time. 

A slate of Derby preps early next year should bring back some exciting competition as they always do, but until then, bettors with a preference for class may find themselves starved for a while in the Northeast. Let’s take advantage of the time we have.

This year’s Cigar Mile didn’t draw many runners, as the scratch of O Besos brings the field down to six. But it’s a solid sextet with a few key storylines between them, as some runners look to finish their three-year-old seasons strong against some salty older horses. read more