EQUINE NIAGARA NEWS - Off to the Races

Off to the Races with Nick Costa - Welcome Back Nick - January 22, 2012
Hi everyone! It certainly was a bad luck day for those living in Western New York and Southern Ontario on Friday, January 13th. After a slow beginning out of the starting gate, a trifecta of horses, Old Man Winter--Wicked Winds--Cold Temps, made up some ground and in doing so, brought in our first major event of the winter season. Working together, the trio dumped, swirled and drifted snow all around while giving a chill to the air that hadn't been felt in quite some time. This rude wake-up to our region made travel a nightmare for motorists who crawled, spun and slid. The usual snow removal equipment: plows, snowblowers, shovels and salt, all which had remained virtually dormant up to that day, were suddenly thrust into action in full force. After having enjoyed unseasonable and sometimes favorable weather since the winter season officially began last month, residents had to adjust to the changing conditions with the realization that winter may have finally arrived.Read more

November 27th - An Interview with Artist Leisa Temple
Hi everyone, with the recent completion of the race season at Fort Erie, running of the Breeders' Cup, upcoming closing of Woodbine racing (Dec 4th) and road to the Kentucky Derby not commencing until January, I truly find myself in a horseracing lull, a funk if you will. Toss in the fast approaching Christmas holiday and it is time for this writer to go on hiatus. My respite begins after this edition. This column will return in the first E.N.N. edition of 2012. My holiday gift to the readers of this space comes in the form of an interview I recently had with leading Canadian professional artist, Leisa Temple.

November 13 -
Hi everyone, I've returned from another memorable trip to the Breeders' Cup (my 8th) and despite having some winners throughout the two day event, I can’t remember tossing out so many obscenities under my breath throughout the whole extravaganza. A weekend of upsets at the World Championships left a scramble for Horse of the Year honors but also some promise for the future. Favorites, including several who could have earned year-end awards. fell like the autumn leaves. And several of the major horses on Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs are off to retirement in an attempt to continue their fame in the breeding shed--notable among them Drosselmeyer, winner of the Classic, and Goldikova, the French-bred mare who came up short in her effort to win a fourth straight Breeders’ Cup Mile. But the finish of the Juvenile, with Hansen holding off a late run by the favorite, Union Rags, and the Juvenile Fillies, with My Miss Aurelia posting a rare win by a favorite, both could produce some exciting battles next spring. Hansen, Union Rags, the three top finishers in the Juvenile Fillies and Secret Circle, the winner of the inaugural running of the Juvenile Sprint, all were undefeated coming into the Breeders’ Cup. Beyond the upsets, the disappointments and the promise, I will take with me from the two days of racing the human victories as opposed to the equine versions. There were two highlights for me on a personal level: Seeing GOLDIKOVA walk by within a few feet of where I was seated allowing me to snap close-up pictures and meeting renowned horseracing writer Steve Haskin from the Bloodhorse Magazine. Read more:

October 30 - Race News with Nick Costa
Hi everyone, the challenge of a lifetime is upon once again. We are just five days out from day one of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships being held at Churchill Downs, November 4th and 5th. This year marks the 28th running and Kentucky's beloved racetrack has become the first track in horse racing history to host the two-day event over two consecutive years. But that's where the streak ends for Churchill Downs. In 2012, the "Super Bowl" of American thoroughbred racing heads back to Santa Anita Park. Since our last edition, yours truly has been and still is, extremely busy perusing and studying the past performances of the record 193 horses entered, as well as trying to analyze the 15 B.C races. As expected with my ongoing look, I have formed some thoughts and opinions, which certainly will be strengthened or weakened once the fields and post position draws have been finalized. Read more:

October 16 - Race News with Nick Costa
October 2 - Race News with Nick Costa
- The Rulers of the Race Track - The Trainers
- Europe's Grandest Prize - L'Arc de Triomphe

September 25 - Race News with Nick Costa

August 21 - Race News from Nick Costa

August 7th - Holy Longshot: Doug & Jenn Sroka with Everlea
- A Real Jim Dandy

July 24th - A Wale of a Race

July 10th - Nick Meets King of Handicappers - Andy Beyer

Nick Costa Speaking with Fort Erie Trainer, Mike Cohen

June 12th - Race News with Nick Costa

NEW! Pick a Winner at the Track by Nick Costa

May 15th - Kentucky Derby with Nick Costa

April 14th - Race News with Nick Costa

March 7, 2011 - Race News with Nick Costa

February 21. 2011 - Race News, plus the Unveiling of the Belmont Stakes Logo

February 3, 2011 Nick - News from the Racing Industry

January 20, 2011 Nick's Picks and How They Compared - Zenyatta Horse of the Year

January 7, 2011 Happy New Year from Nick Costa - year awards and more

November 11 - Off to the Races with Nick Costa - the Breeder's Cup

October 14 - Off to the Races with Nick Costa

September 30th - Off to the Races with Nick Costa
An interview with Rocco LaTorre - He's No Secret Agent Man

Off to the Races with Nick Costa - September 16, 2010
It's Pony Time - by Nick Costa - a look at the pony crew that keep horses and rider's safe at the track.

Off to the Races with Nick Costa - September 2, 2010

Off to the Races with Nick Costa - August 19th, 2010
Race recaps, quarter horse racing at Fort Erie, Jockey and Trainer Standings, Upcoming races and more!
Interview with Gary Chudobiak by Nick Costa

Off to the Races with Nick Costa - August 4th, 2010
Prince of Wales Winner - Golden Moka, Upcoming Races, and more. Read on.

Team Gonzalez - by Chris Lomon

Off to the Races with Nick Costa
Top 10 Picks, racing news and more...
Off to the Races with Nick Costa Page 2 - Everton Bennett, Daryl Wells, Mine That Bird.

Nick Costa, speaking with Nick Gonzalez - Fort Erie Trainer of the Queen's Plate Winner - Big Red Mike
1000 Wins for Trainer, Nick Gonzalez
An interview with Fort Erie Trainer - Wendy Wolff