Brian Robin

Muck Rack profile
Masqueparade (10) held off King Fury to win the Grade 3 Ohio Derby in June. Can the talented, but untested colt, make the next leap in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes? (Image: JJ Zamaiko Photography)

Talented, Barely Tested Masqueparade Ready for His Jim Dandy Close-Up

Masqueparade is a graded-stakes winner who impressively captured his last three races, turned away two Kentucky Derby horses, and who has more than a hint of the flavor du jour about him. And yet, trainer Al Stall Jr. has no illusions about what awaits his Ohio Derby winner in Saturday’s […]

Arlington Park issued layoff notices to all union employees over the weekend. The suburban Chicago track is on the selling block and current owner Churchill Downs Inc. plans selling to a non-racetrack entity. (Image: Arlington Park)

It’s Happening: Arlington Park Issues Layoff Notices to Employees

The ticking clock on Arlington Park’s 97-year history of racing sped up this weekend when employees for the iconic suburban Chicago track were issued layoff notices. According to the notice, which the Chicago Daily Herald reported, track workers will lose their jobs within 14 days of the Sept. 25 season […]

Maracuja (left) outkicked previous unbeaten Malathaat to win last Saturday's CCA Oaks. The two are on a path to tangle again in the Aug. 21 Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. (Image: Elsa Lorieul/NYRA)

After CCA Oaks Upset, We’re Ready for Maracuja vs. Malathaat 3.0

Maracuja and Malathaat put on such a show in last Saturday’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga, that you can’t wait to see the rematch between the two 3-year-old fillies. And, it’s looking like we will at the Aug. 21 Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Trainers for […]

Crystal Ball saw her way to a 1 1/4-length victory in the Lady Jacqueline Stakes at Thistledown. She goes for her fourth win of 2021 in the Grade 3 Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga Sunday. (Image: JJ Zamaiko Photography)

Does Crystal Ball’s Future Include an Elusive Graded-Stakes Spa Victory?

Crystal Ball sees her way into Sunday’s Grade 3 Shuvee Stakes a pristine 3-for-3 in 2021. She’s taken those three races on three different tracks in three different states with three different jockeys. Now, the trek toughens. The competition stiffens. And the stakes literally heighten. Named after the Hall of […]

Jolie Olimpica's last victory came 14 months ago in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita. She is one of the favorites in the opening leg of Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5: the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Cross Country Pick 5 Features Familiar Names, International Flavor

Familiar names such as Jolie Olimpica, Split Then Double and Merveilleux, along with promising newcomers like Chileno, Watasha and Volcanic play their parts in Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 wager. This week’s New York Racing Association’s Cross Country Pick 5 comes with international flavor. The wager encompasses races from Saratoga, […]

Malathaat's unbeaten record and versatile running style makes her an odds-on favorite to win the Grade 1 CCA Oaks at Saratoga. (Image: Jamie Newell/TwinSpires.com)

Where Did Everyone Go? Malathaat Scares Off Would-Be CCA Oaks Rivals

If you remember back in May, the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks is the race that Todd Pletcher put on Malathaat’s calendar. This was the race Pletcher and owner of the undefeated 3-year-old circled – as they were crossing off any Belmont Stakes plans. Now, because of Malathaat’s considerable […]

Love won last year's Epsom Oaks by nine lengths. The daughter of the late Galileo and winner of seven of 11 is the 5/2 favorite for Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. (Image: Megan Ridgwell)

Top Talent Brings Equine Palace Intrigue to King George Stakes

The storylines in Saturday’s Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes are almost as loaded with intrigue as the field is loaded with talent. And this field for the 1 ½-mile turf trek at Ascot is loaded with talent. But each high-profile contestant comes with his – […]

Flavien Prat rode Going Global to all four of her US stakes victories. That streak goes to the test Saturday in the Grade 2 San Clemente at Del Marl. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Going Global Does Just That, Brings Four-Race Win Streak to Del Mar

Going Global began her racing career finishing fourth, 12th, and 13th in a trio of summer races in her native Ireland. There was nothing distinguishing her from the countless other 2-year-old fillies dotting Irish racetracks. This changed last November when Going Global broke her maiden in an Irish Handicap race […]

One of the most forthright trainers in the game, Kenny McPeek never blinks from a challenge. This is one reason why he's sending start filly Swiss Skydiver into the Grade 1 Whitney Aug. 7 at Saratoga. (Image: Kenny McPeek)

McPeek Sending Swiss Skydiver Against Colts Again in the Whitney

One of the ways Kenny McPeek made his bones as a trainer was to never doubt himself or his charges. This explains one reason why he plans on running star filly Swiss Skydiver in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. “Someone brought up the word ‘can’t’ to me the […]

Horses under quarantine after a case of Equine Herpesvirus-1 can train on Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track after the rest of the barns get their works in. (Image: Francesca Le Donne)

Saratoga EHV-1 Quarantine Set to End Aug. 1 — If No Further Cases

Horses quarantined as a result of an Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) case in Saratoga’s Barn 86 will be allowed to race Aug. 1, provided there are no further positive cases. The New York Racing Association made the announcement on Tuesday, citing the end of a 21-day quarantine in that barn. This […]

Wit breezed to an eight-length victory in Saturday's Sanford Stakes at Saratoga. He vaulted to the front of 2022 Kentucky Derby prospects, winning his two races by a combined 14 lengths. (Image: Susie Raisher/Coglianese Photos)

Wit Shows He’s No Joke as a Promising 2022 Kentucky Derby Prospect

It’s never too early to put promising 2-year-olds on your Kentucky Derby radar screen, which is why it’s time to say hello to one of the most promising juveniles of 2021 – Wit. The Todd Pletcher charge graduated to graded stakes champion on Saturday, capturing the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes […]

After recent workouts didn't meet his approval, trainer Mike McCarthy decided Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer needed a freshening. So he's giving his prize colt the next 60 days off. (Image: Maryland Jockey Club)

Preakness Winner Rombauer Taking a Break, Won’t Race Until 2022

Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer will take the next 60 days off and won’t race for the duration of the 2021 season, according to the Daily Racing Form. Trainer Mike McCarthy told the DRF that Rombauer hadn’t been training “as sharp as he was before the Preakness and Belmont.” That June […]

Mystic Guide (right) lost the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes to Max Player earlier this month. Afterwards, X-rays revealed a bone chip in Mystic Guide's knee that requires surgery. (Image: Elsa Lorieul/Coglianese Photos/NYRA)

Mystic Guide’s Racing Future Uncertain After Impending Knee Surgery

The racing future for standout 4-year-old Mystic Guide has become uncertain after owner-breeder Godolphin announced he would undergo surgery for a knee chip. Noted surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, will perform the surgery. Meanwhile, the Dubai World Cup winner goes on the […]

Hot Rod Charlie (back) finished ahead of Mandaloun by the proverbial nose in Saturday's Haskell Stakes. But the 4/5 favorite was taken down moments later for interfering with Midnight Bourbon. Mandaloun was declared the winner of his first Grade 1 amid questions about New Jersey's no-crop rule. (Image: Bill Denver/EQUI-SPORT)

Controversy, Near-Catastrophe, Marks Haskell Stakes Finish

The inherent danger of riding horses combined with a controversial rule change to create a frightening finish to Saturday’s Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Hot Rod Charlie crossed the finish line first, nipping Mandaloun by a nose. That apparently gave him his long-sought first Grade 1 victory. However, the 4/5 […]

Harvey's Lil Goil (right) held off Lemista to win the Grade 3 Beaugay in May. The two tangle again in Saturday's Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga. (Image: Coolmore Farm)

Can Brown Hunt Down His Sixth Consecutive Diana Stakes Title?

The main storyline coming to you from this year’s Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga is what Chad Brown can do for an encore – times five. Yes, Brown owns the last five Diana titles and six overall. You expect Saratoga’s premier turf trainer to win Saratoga’s premier filly and […]

Louisiana Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie hasn't finished worse than third in his last six races. He looks for his first Grade 1 victory as the 6/5 favorite in Saturday's Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. (Image: Jamie Newell/TwinSpires.com)

A Triple Crown Placers War by the Jersey Shore Headlines Haskell Stakes

The first thought that comes to mind when you see Mandaloun, Midnight Bourbon and Hot Rod Charlie lined up as the three headliners for Saturday’s Grade 1 Haskell Stakes is that deja-vu sense of familiarity. You’ve seen these three clash repeatedly, but there’s something else about them that stands out. […]

Saratoga plays integral roles in two Saturday exotic wagers: the Cross Country All Stakes Pick 6 and the Cross-breed Pick 5. (Image: NYRA)

Cross Country Wagering Goes Truly Exotic: Meet the Cross-Breed Pick 5

The New York Racing Association’s Cross Country Pick 6, you’re probably familiar with. But for this Saturday’s busy day, how about a Cross-breed Cross Country Pick 5? NYRA and Monmouth Park joined forces for Saturday’s All-Stakes Cross Country Pick 6. That weekly slate isn’t surprising given it’s Haskell Day at […]

Arklow won his last start, the Grade 3 Louisville, in stakes-record time. He tries for his second Grade 1 win and 10th career victory in Saturday's United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. (Image: Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

Can the Remarkable Arklow Plant His Flag at the United Nations Stakes?

Figuring out the most remarkable element of Arklow’s career takes you on a trip around America’s racetracks in search of the freakish, most bizarre factoid you can find. So, it makes perfect sense that Arklow is one of the favorites for Saturday’s Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. […]

Dream Shake ran his career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure in this maiden debut victory in January. He moves to turf for the first time in Del Mar's traditional summer stakes opener: the Oceanside Stakes. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Del Mar Opens to Sellout Crowd and a Dream Shake Turf Sighting

Last year’s Del Mar summer season opener carried such a weird vibe that Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper spent much of it walking around in a surreal, dreamy haze. This year, Harper and the rest of Del Mar’s sold-out, opening-day crowd – and yes, we said “crowd” – […]