G1 Youtube Stakes: The Best Horse Racing Video on the Web

Let's face it - it's not every day you want to get up, go to work and win Employee of the Month honours. In fact, some days (most days?), it's enough to just get the job done and get home.

When the workin' man blues are getting you down, the stars of Youtube are there to interupt the monotony with videos that make you laugh, cheer, cry and most of all procrastinate.

With horse racing in mind, I'd like to honour my favourite video artists in the first annual (?) G1 Youtube Stakes. The winner to be decided by voter comments at the bottom of this post.

(In fact, if we get more than one vote I'll donate an incredible $25 via PayPal to the racing charity of winner's choice. Zero votes means I'll pick straws and the dollars go to either LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, OSAS or New Stride Thoroughbred Retirement. Man, this could be embarassing - I usually only generate comments when I write about the Hartford Whalers or BritPop.)

Let's check out the contenders for the G1 Youtube Stakes.

Purse: Bragging Rights. For Three Year Olds and upward. Weight (Male): 179 Lbs. Non-eaters of red meat, allowed 2 Lbs.; of carbs, 4 Lbs.; of desserts other than fruits or popcorn (lightly buttered), 6 Lbs.; or work out more than once a week 8 Lbs. No age or weight restrictions for females. (I'm not asking, they're not telling.) Winner to be determined by voter comments. Going the distance.

1. Partymanners

Possibly the only contender featured in the New York Times.

The go-to channel for rare horse racing video offers stakes races from across North America. Whether you're looking for Affirmed in the 1978 Santa Anita Derby, Assault's assault on the 1946 Kentucky Derby or last Saturday's big race you can find it all on at Partymanners.

1985 Jersey Derby - Spend A Buck


2. LarryZapeye

Larry Zap has a keen eye and a sharp wit. Check out his work on the Del Mar website. Better yet, add Larry Zapeye on Twitter and you'll be treated to his keen pre-race observations that add value to your selections and dollars to your wallet.

Zap's videos of morning workouts bring the viewer behind the scenes for a look at some of the best horses on the continent going through their paces.

Horses to watch 2010 on LarryZapEye


3. MaryForney

Mary Forney is a wonderful blogger. If you wager on Santa Anita racing you HAVE to read her blog. Forney has worked in California racing for 25 years and her insight and information are well worth the clicks.

Forney's video features workouts, interviews and behind the scenes look at west coast racing.

Original coal forge, Santa Anita Park Blacksmith Shop


4. NYRA Video

This powerhouse east coast stable offers race replays, Trips and Traps for punters with Andy Serling and Eric Donovan, Backstretch Buzz for the insights, NYRA Spotlight for features and even Jockey Video Cards.

Lots of quality in their past performances.

NYRA Spotlight - The Stewards


5. ArlingtonParkLive

Shipper from Illinois offers a look at the great racing at Arlington Park. The bubbly Alyssa Ali has interviewed famous racing fans such as hockey legend Denis Savard and Chicago Bear footballers Ruben Brown and Jason McKie.

This quirky group keeps it interesting and offers fans a laugh and a reason to return to the track.

Arlington Park Cribs


6. Churchill Downs Incorporated

Just bang on steady results. CDI offers race replays for Churchill Downs Incorporated tracks including Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Calder Race Course and Arlington Park. Nothing flashy here, just steady speed figures race after race. What you see is what you get and the getting is good.

2008 Kentucky Derby - Big Brown


7. TVG Network

Replays, wagering tips, interviews, insights and more. It's the channel that brought you footage of The Bikini Mile, Lady Luck interviews with Jim Rome and Chantal Sutherland as well as infamous footage of Ken Rudolph going nuts after predicting Giacomo to win the Kentucky Derby. What!

Lady Luck: Chantal Sutherland Interview Part 1


8. jonshfs05 - John Sheriff

John Sheriffs' Youtube Channel features inside looks at the conditioning of the many great horses under his care including Zenyatta.

These lowkey videos are not flashy. There's no huge budget or soundtrack. But you get to watch the best mare in racing hang out on the backstretch and listen to the connections chatter at her.

March 15th Training Video


9. NTRA Horse Racing

Another steady entrant with a huge catalogue of race replays, interviews and features on handicapping. Their Triple Crown 2009 section provided viewers with replays of all the major prep races and a little bit of commentary to boot.

NTRA.com's Caton Bredar interviews trainer Bennie Woolley ahead of the Kentucky Derby on Friday, May 1, 2009.


10. Floppydog

Ernie Munick comes into this event as the people's champ. Munick sings, he walks his dog and he put together ridiculously entertaining videos for the BCWorldChampionships.

If you haven't joined Munick's Facebook Group Thoroughbred Racing in New York, then you are missing out on some of the best race writing on the world wide web. The weekly TRNY Member of the Week writeups have featured fans, executives and track personalites explaining their introduction to the world of horse racing. The bio of Rick Marks was a great read.

Rachel Alexandra "Not Normal" in Mother Goose


11. WEGReplays Woodbine Entertainment Group

Root, root, root for the home team. Woodbine stepped it up this past year offering race replays for both their thoroughbred and harness talent. Of late, WEG has dug into the vault and offered up historical coverage of the Queen's Plate, Woodbine Mile, Canadian International and the North America's Cup.

2002 CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL - Ballingarry (IRE)


It's a very talented field and I'm afraid I've likely missed a few good sources of Youtube horse racing content. So please, leave a comment and make your vote for your favourite YOUTUBE CHANNEL...and if I've missed your favourite Youtube star then let me know.

They're at the post!