For the first time in his illustrious 32-year career, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride full-time this winter at Santa Anita, beginning with the track’s opening day, Sunday, December 26th. A 50-year-old native of Puerto Rico, Johnny V as he’s affectionately known, is Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading money Winning jockey, with career purse earnings of more than $446 million from 6,357 Wins. A … Continue reading Johnny West
SANTA CLAUS (foaled in 1961) was a British-bred Irish trained race-horse and sire. As a three year-old in 1964 the dark-coated bay stallion had his best year on the turf. His most notable achievements were Winning the Irish 200 Guineas Stakes, as well as the Epsom and Irish Derbies. These Victories (in part) earned SANTA CLAUS the 1964 British Horse Of The Year award. SANTA CLAUS, no doubt, brought a lot of joy (and … Continue reading Home Stretch To Christmas
Former trainer Jorge Navarro (pictured above doing his best Sgt. Schultz imitation) was sentenced the maximum five years in federal prison Friday by federal judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. Navarro must also pay over $26 million in restitution for his crimes, reflecting the amount Won through his cheating. Navarro will begin to serve his sentence in February according to a report from David Grening of the Daily … Continue reading Jail Time For Trainer
It’s never too early. Kentucky Derby fever starts minutes after Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner crosses the finish line. Between now and the actual Run For The Roses horseplayers worldwide are looking for the diamond in the rough, which could lead to a life-changing Winning payoff the first Saturday in May. That said, here are a few ways in which to identify Derby contenders that are … Continue reading Derby Dreaming
Calvin Borel isn’t the only Hall Of Fame jockey traipsing about the Oaklawn Park barn area these days. Gary Stevens, who permanently retired from riding in 2018, returned to the Hot Springs track December 1st to begin laying the groundwork for the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meet as the agent for Southern California-based jockeys Geovanni Franco and Tiago Pereira. Stevens, 58, said he represented Corey Nakatani during … Continue reading Mr. Gary Stevens
The Daily Racing Blog frequently posts about multi-race wagers and the intrinsic Value they offer. And while we often recommend how to play such wagers we don’t often delve into which horses to play. We’re going to change that up a bit here today and offer you our choices for the Late Pick 4 at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday afternoon, beginning in the 7th race. … Continue reading The Late Pick 4 @ Tampa
About this time last year, Chantal Sutherland was plying her trade in Kentucky, struggling to get mounts and to Win races. She was miserable- having Won just 11 races in 2020, the worst year of her career. “I was just not in a good place,” she said. “I was really struggling there. I couldn’t believe how no one would give me a shot.” One thing … Continue reading Chantal Finding Her Way Back
MEDINA SPIRIT, the controversial Winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, died of an apparent heart attack following a five-furlong workout Monday morning at Santa Anita Park. The incident happened after the horse completed a five-furlong workout in 1:01.40. The breeze took place at about 7:45 Pacific Time. California Horse Racing Board Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea said there were signs of trouble near the conclusion of … Continue reading MEDINA SPIRIT Dies
The calendar says the last day of fall is December 20th. But for many racing fans, the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Park on Saturday marks the end of the autumn racing season. The one-mile contest is traditionally the final Grade 1 race of the year in New York, and brings together some of the country’s top middle distance horses. The race is the final contest on … Continue reading Who Wins The Cigar ?
The transformation of CIGAR from a horse that showed modest turf ability to one that developed into a legend on dirt illustrates how critical a trainer’s role can be. The son of PALACE MALICE went unraced at 2 before Winning two of nine starts the following season for his first trainer, Alex Hassinger Jr. He finished his 3-year-old campaign with earnings of $89,175 but was unable to … Continue reading Give That Man A Cigar
