JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP WINNER HAYNESFIELD FACES FIVE IN WESTCHESTER The son of Speightstown, who defeated the eventual 2010 Champion Older Male, Blame, in Belmont’s Jockey Club Gold Cup last October, will be making his 5-year-old debut in the Westchester, which serves as a traditional prep for the Metropolitan Handicap on Memorial Day. Haynesfield’s connections, however, are focusing strictly on Saturday’s one-mile race and in getting his 2011 campaign underway. “We’re looking ahead to the Westchester, getting back in the groove and running,” said Toby Sheets, trainer Steve Asmussen’s New York assistant. “Especially with the severe winter we’ve had, you want everything to go according to Hoyle. Hopefully, we’ll have some luck Saturday.” Owned by Turtle Bird Stable, Haynesfield has compiled an impressive record at his home track, winning five of six starts and finishing second in the other. Along with the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Haynesfield posted victories in the 2010 Suburban and the 2009 Empire Classic, along with wins in his maiden race and an optional claimer. Regular rider Ramon Dominguez is aboard Haynesfield, the 9-5 morning-line favorite from post position 5. One with an eye on the Met Mile is Ol Memorial Stable’s Soaring Empire, who most recently posted a pair of seconds to Tackleberry in the Gulfstream Park Handicap and the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship. Winner of the Hal’s Hope in his 2011 debut, the 4-year-old Empire Maker colt will be making his second appearance at Belmont in the Westchester, having finished fourth behind Fly Down, eventual Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer, and Remand in the Dwyer a year ago. “We are looking ahead to the Met Mile; it’s the race you want to win if you have an older horse,” said Soaring Empire’s trainer Cam Gambolati. “The Westchester is coming up really tough race for a Grade III, but I think Soaring Empire is a tough horse.” Jose Lezcano, who has ridden Soaring Empire in all three of his starts this year, will ride the 2-1 morning-line second choice from post position 4. Trainer Todd Pletcher will play a strong hand in the Westchester with Christmas for Liam and Caixa Eletronica, both of whom come into the race off victories. Christmas for Liam, owned by the Estate of Edward P. Evans, will be making his stakes debut in the Westchester, having won three of his last four starts by a combined margin of 15 ½ lengths. “His two allowance races this year have been impressive,” said Pletcher of Christmas for Liam, who drew post position 6. He’s the complete package as he is a horse who can carry his speed over a distance of ground. Everything he has done in those allowance races has indicated that he’s ready to run in a graded stakes.” Javier Castellano will ride the 4-year-old Saint Liam colt, 4-1 on the morning line. The complete field from the rail out for the Westchester is: Convocation (jockey: Alan Garcia, morning line odds: 6-1); Caixa Eletronica (Cornelio Velasquez, 8-1); Schoolyard Dreams (Rajiv Maragh, 15-1); Soaring Empire (Jose Lezcano, 2-1); Haynesfield (Ramon Dominguez, 9-5); and Christmas For Liam (Javier Castellano, 4-1). WELL MONIED RETURNS FROM LENGTHY LAYOFF IN WILSHIRE HANDICAP top In her graded stakes debut, Well Monied won the Honeymoon as a 3-year-old by 1 ¼ lengths as the 7-5 favorite. She has failed to win in four subsequent starts and is returning after a temporary retirement in 2010. In her most recent race, the 5-year-old gray daughter of Maria’s Mon and the Quiet American mare Queen of America was fourth in the Gamely last May 29. She finished 1 ½ lengths behind Tuscan Evening. Owned by C.T. Grether, Inc. and trained by Howard Zucker, Well Monied has won four of 10 with earnings of $386,300. “She came back last year off a long layoff to win,’’ said Zucker. “She’s training better than ever.’’ A winner of more than $250,000 since being claimed for $16,000 by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer some 16 ½ months ago, Lilly Fa Pootz will be seeking her second victory over the Hollywood Park turf. Owned by Hollendorfer and Team Green, the 6-year-old daughter of Gilded Time and the Fit to Fight mare Dark Rhythm has been in the money in 13 of 17 for her current connections. She has four wins since being taken Dec. 10, 2009 at Golden Gate Fields. From the rail out, the complete field for the 50th Wilshire Handicap is: Burg Berg (jockey: Martin Pedroza rides, weight: 117 pounds); Blue Maiden (Martin Garcia, 114); Givine (Alonso Quinonez, 115); Lilly Fa Pootz (Mike Smith, 117); Miss Pleasant (Chantal Sutherland, 114); Well Monied (Rafael Bejarano, 119); Dubawi Heights (Joel Rosario, 113); Saanneen (Victor Espinoza, 113); Vamo a Galupiar (David Flores, 118); Smart Striking (Luis Medina, 114) and Talktoomuch (Joe Talamo, 115). NTRA, PFIZER ANIMAL HEALTH RENEW PARTNERSHIP DEAL top Pfizer Animal Health will remain active in a number of NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance initiatives, including national outreach efforts, the NTRA’s annual Track Superintendents’ conference, the Alliance’s annual Professional Education Seminar, and research and education on equine health and wellness. As part of its long-standing involvement with the Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research, Pfizer Animal Health will also participate in a special disbursement ceremony on May 21, Preakness Day, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. “Pfizer Animal Health is pleased to continue our partnership with the NTRA and support of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance,” said Kristin Ruff, Director, Pfizer Animal Health. “We appreciate the organizations dedication and efforts to improve the health and wellness of race horses.” “Pfizer’s steadfast support of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance and its ongoing commitment to equine health have meant a great deal to our industry,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. “The NTRA is truly delighted to continue its partnership with Pfizer.” 2008 KENTUCKY DERBY RUNNER Z FORTUNE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION top
“I believe this is first time a Kentucky Derby contender has been made available for adoption publicly, which could make it a once in a lifetime experience to the lucky chosen adopter,” explained New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford. In 2008, Z Fortune ran 10th behind Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby. Following the “Run for the Roses,” he raced eight more times and never for a claiming tag. With earnings of $432,000 in 15 starts, Z Fortune was retired late in 2010. “We were absolutely thrilled to get a horse in the program with such a prestigious resume,” said Ford. “This is a perfect example of an owner doing right by his horse once its racing career is over. Z Fortune is a horse who still has a lot to offer. He didn’t need a retirement home. He simply needed an opportunity to excel in a second career.” Z Fortune is currently located at the New Vocations facility in Lexington, Ky. Over the last month, he started receiving transitional training for a second career as a riding horse. “He is not only a big beautiful gray gelding but he has proven to have a great disposition,” said New Vocations Lexington facility manager Lisa Molloy. “He has taken to his new life well and seems eager to learn. So far it appears that he should be suitable as a pleasure mount or even some lower level competition such as dressage.” Starting this week Z Fortune will officially be offered up for adoption. His information can be seen on the New Vocations website at www.horseadoption.com. Interested individuals are required to fill out an application online. Following this year’s Kentucky Derby, all applications will be reviewed and an individual will be chosen to adopt Z Fortune. As with all New Vocation adoptions, a thorough background check will be done to ensure the best home for Z Fortune. SPECIAL FUND ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT THE THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION top The Olivia Marie Saylor Memorial Fund was established in memory of Paul’s daughter who died in a house fire this past New Year’s Day in Charleston, S.C. Olivia was very involved with her father and siblings in the Thoroughbred racing business. She is credited with naming Ashado, two-time champion filly raced by the Saylor family in partnership with Starlight Stables. “Olivia would have wanted to care for the horses most in need,” said Saylor. “Protecting racehorses and protecting the TRF as an on-going entity to help racehorses should be a priority for everyone interested in Thoroughbred racing.” The donations will fund expenses for specific horses requiring special or geriatric care. Among the first in "Olivia’s Herd" will be horses that the TRF moved from two satellite farms in Oklahoma this winter. PERSONAL PHONE CALL FROM CHENERY, TURCOTTE TO BENEFIT CHARITY top Bidding began on ebay earlier this week and will continue through Thursday, May 5 at 9:00 p.m. (ET) The eventual auction winner may engage in a free-flowing conversation with Chenery and Turcotte about Secretariat. The winner will also receive a double-signed and personalized autographed photo from Chenery and Turcotte. GALT HOUSE PARTY ON DERBY EVENING TO BENEFIT PERMANENTLY DISABLED JOCKEYS FUND top Attending the Night of Silk Derby Party will be legendary jockeys, including all Kentucky Derby 137 participants. Expected to attend are: Rafael Bejarano, Gary Birzer, Javier Castellano, Pat Day, Victor Espinoza, Garrett Gomez, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Joel Rosario, Mike Smith and John Velazquez to name a few. The evening will include dinner, live musical entertainment and a silent auction of equine memorabilia. “I couldn’t be more excited to introduce the first-ever Night of Silk to the annual Derby party scene,” said Mary Moseley, president and CEO of Galt House Hotel parent, the Al J. Schneider Company. “Our hotel is planning a Derby party unlike any other. When coupled with raising awareness and funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, the inaugural Night of Silk will truly be an affair to remember.” “We couldn’t be more thankful,” said Nancy LaSala, executive director Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. “Through the generosity of the Galt House and its inaugural Night of Silk Derby Party, monies raised will assist the PDJF’s mission of helping jockeys who have suffered life-altering injuries on the racetrack.” For ticket information, contact the Galt House at (800)843-4258. RACING ON THE AIR (all times Eastern) top May 5, Racing from Churchill Downs; 5:00-6:00 p.m., Versus May 6, Kentucky Oaks (Churchill Downs); 5:00-6:00 p.m., Versus May 7, Kentucky Derby undercard (Churchill Downs); 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Versus May 7, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Churchill Downs); 4:00-7:00 p.m., NBC RACING TO HISTORY top April 29, 2003: Hall of Famer Laffit Pincay Jr., the world’s winningest jockey, retired with 9,530 victories to his credit. April 29, 2003: 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is born today at Mill Ridge Farm, Lexington, Ky., for owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson. April 30, 1941: Jockey Eddie Arcaro rode four winners out of five mounts at Jamaica racetrack before leaving for Churchill Downs to ride Whirlaway in the Kentucky Derby. April 30, 1989: Bill Shoemaker won his 1,000th stakes race, guiding Charlie Whittingham-trained Peace to victory in the Premiere Handicap at Hollywood Park. April 30, 2002: Two-time Horse of the Year Cigar and champion filly Serena’s Song were elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Also named to the Hll were trainer Bud Delp, jockey Jack Westrope and champion Noor. May 1, 1943: Count Fleet won the “street car” Kentucky Derby, for which no tickets could be sold to out-of-town spectators due to wartime travel restrictions. May 1, 1948: H.A. “Jimmy” Jones, son of Ben A. Jones, stepped aside as the trainer of Citation, allowing his father to be named the colt’s official trainer in the Kentucky Derby. Ben Jones was attempting to match the record of H.J. Thompson, who had trained four Derby winners. Citation did win and Ben A. Jones subsequently won two additional derbies, in 1949 and 1952, to set the mark for most number of wins in the Run for the Roses, six. Jimmy Jones was named as Citation’s trainer in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, however, giving the Jones family a Triple Crown sweep. May 1, 1971: The New York Off-Track Betting Corp. offered wagering pools on the Kentucky Derby, the first instance in which parimutuel wagering on the race took place outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Churchill Downs had refused to sell the rights to the race to OTB, but the pools were offered nonetheless, generating handle totaling $1,043,005 May 1, 1976: Trainer Laz Barrera won three stakes in three different states: the Kentucky Derby with Bold Forbes; New York’s Carter Handicap with Due Diligence and the Illinois Derby with Life’s Hope. May 1, 1993: Paul Mellon became the second person in racing history of have bred and owned winners of the Kentucky Derby (Sea Hero, who won the 1993 Derby) and the Epsom Derby (Mill Reef, who won in 1971). John Galbreath was the first to have accomplished the Derby double, which he did with Proud Clarion (1967 Kentucky Derby) and Roberto (1972 Epsom Derby). May 1, 1999: Charismatic won the 125th Kentucky Derby at odds of 31-1, giving trainer D. Wayne Lukas his fourth Derby win and his owners, Bob and Beverly Lewis, their second Derby victor. May 1, 2004: Total wagering on the 130th Kentucky Derby, won by Smarty Jones, and the Derby Day racing card at Churchill Downs smashed North American betting records. A record $99,348,706 was wagered on the Derby. Total betting on the 12-race Kentucky Derby Day card was $142,775,857. May 1, 2010: Trainer Todd Pletcher broke his 0-for-24 skein in the Kentucky Derby by saddling Super Saver to win the Run for the Roses. May 2, 1904: Laska Durnell became the first woman to own a Kentucky Derby starter and winner when longshot Elwood took the 30th Run for the Roses. Elwood, the only Missouri-bred to win the Kentucky Derby, was also the first Derby winner to be bred by a woman, Mrs. J.B. Prather. May 2, 1934: Future Triple Crown winner War Admiral was foaled at Faraway Farm, Lexington, Ky. May 2, 1953: Native Dancer suffered his only defeat in 22 starts. He finished second in the Kentucky Derby as the 7-10 favorite, beaten a head by a 25-1 shot, Dark Star. Going into the Derby, Native Dancer had 11 consecutive wins. May 2, 1970: Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Her mount, Fathom, finished 15th in a field of 17. May 2, 1981: The first simulcast of the Kentucky Derby took place, with three outlets—Centennial Park, Longacres Racecourse and Yakima Meadows—receiving the signal. Total simulcast wagering was $455,163. The Derby simulcast was suspended for the next two years, pending approval by Kentucky horsemen, and was reinstated in 1984. May 2, 2000: Jockey Julie Krone became the first female elected to Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame. May 2, 2009: Mine That Bird, a 50-1 longshot, won the 135th Kentucky Derby by 6 ¾ lengths in a field of 19. The win would land Mine That Bird, and his jockey Calvin Borel, on the cover of the following week’s Sports Illustrated. May 3, 1769: Namesake of racing’s annual awards, Eclipse made his first public appearance in a heat race at Epsom, England. The chestnut won his first trial easily, prompting gambler Dennis O’Kelly to predict “Eclipse first, the rest nowhere” at the start of the second heat. O’Kelly’s forecast was correct. Eclipse won the second four-mile race by nearly 1-4 mile. May 3, 1902: Jockey James Winkfield, the last African American rider to win the Kentucky Derby, won his second consecutive Derby aboard Alan-a-Dale. May 3, 1952: The first coast-to-coast, network-televised Kentucky Derby aired on CBS. Favorite Hill Gail won the Derby, giving his jockey Eddie Arcaro a record fifth victory in the Kentucky Derby, and his trainer, Ben A. Jones, the record for most number of wins (six). Arcaro’s record was matched on this day in 1969 by jockey Bill Hartack. Jones’ record has not been equaled. May 3, 1958: CBS used a “split screen” for its telecast of the Kentucky Derby, necessitated by the presence of the popular runner Silky Sullivan, who was famous for running far off the pace. Most of the screen was allotted to the main group of runners, with a small corner given over to Silky Sullivan. Although he was one of the favorites for the race, Silky failed to deliver his customary winning drive in the stretch and finished 12th, beaten 20 lengths by the victorious Tim Tam. May 3, 1969: Jockey Bill Hartack won his fifth Kentucky Derby aboard Majestic Prince, tying Eddie Arcaro’s 1952 record. Majestic Prince was trained by Hall of Fame jockey John Longden, the only person to have trained and ridden a Kentucky Derby winner. May 3, 1980: Diana Firestone’s Genuine Risk became the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby. Regret won it in 1915; Winning Colors, in 1988. May 3, 1986: Charlie Whittingham, at age 73, became the oldest trainer to win his first Kentucky Derby when he sent Ferdinand to victory. Ferdinand’s rider, Bill Shoemaker, was the oldest jockey (54) to take the Run for the Roses. Whittingham topped himself in 1989, winning the Derby a second time (at age 76) with Sunday Silence. May 3, 2003: Funny Cide won the 129th Kentucky Derby and became the first-ever New York-bred, and first gelding in 74 years, to win the Run for the Roses. May 3, 2008: Big Brown dominates the Kentucky Derby despite breaking from post 20. Derby runner-up Eight Belles was injured while galloping out after the race and had to be euthanized. May 4, 1905: Belmont Park opened for its first race meet. May 4, 1957: Bill Shoemaker, aboard Gallant Man, misjudged the finish line for the Kentucky Derby and stood up in the irons prematurely. Gallant Man lost the race by a nose to Iron Liege. Round Table was third and Bold Ruler was fourth in this historic finish. May 4, 1968: Dancer’s Image became the first horse to be disqualified from the Kentucky Derby because post-race testing revealed an illegal medication. Forward Pass was declared the winner, giving Calumet Farm its eighth Derby winner, a record. May 4, 1996: Trainer D. Wayne Lukas set the record for most consecutive wins in Triple Crown races, six, when Grindstone won the Kentucky Derby. Lukas’ winning streak began with the 1994 Preakness Stakes, which he won with Tabasco Cat. May 4, 2007: Mark Guidry became the 21st jockey to reach the 5,000-win mark when he rode Chippewa Trail to victory in the first race at Churchill Downs. May 5, 1934: Brookmeade Stable’s Cavalcade won the Kentucky Derby, his third victory in a span of less than two weeks. May 5, 1973: Secretariat became the first horse to complete the 1 ¼-mile course for the Kentucky Derby in less than two minutes when he won the 99th Run for the Roses in a record 1:59 2/5, which was 3/5 faster than Northern Dancer’s 1964 mark of 2:00, to set a track and stakes record that still holds. He ran each successive quarter-mile of the race faster than the previous one, with split times of :25 1/5, :24, :23 4/5, :23 2/5 and :23. May 5, 1990: Frances Genter, age 92, became the oldest winning owner in Derby history when Unbridled won the 116th renewal of the Run for the Roses. May 5, 2004: Smarty Jones became the first Kentucky Derby winner in 21 years to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. May 5, 2007: Street Sense became the first Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to emerge victorious in the Kentucky Derby when he captured the Run for the Roses by 2 ¼ lengths under Calvin Borel. May 6, 1895: African American jockey James “Soup” Perkins guided the favorite Halma to a wire-to-wire victory in the 21st running of the Kentucky Derby. Perkins, who was 15, joined fellow African American jockey Alonzo Clayton as the youngest jockey to ride a Derby winner. May 6, 1896: African American jockey Willie Simms guided Ben Brush to victory in the 22nd Kentucky Derby, the first time the race was run at 1 1/4 miles. Two years later, Simms would win the Derby aboard Plaudit, giving him a perfect record in the Kentucky Derby: two wins in two attempts. May 6, 1933: In the “fighting finish” to the Kentucky Derby—before the advent of photo-finish cameras and video patrol—jockey Don Meade on Brokers Tip, and Herb Fisher, on Head Play, pushed, hit, tugged and jostled each other to the finish line at Churchill Downs. Brokers Tip was declared the winner, by a margin of two or three inches. May 6, 2000: Fusaichi Pegasus became the first betting favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979. May 6, 2006: Unbeaten three-year-old Barbaro won the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby by 6 ½ lengths, the biggest winning margin since Assault won by eight lengths in 1946. May 6, 2009: Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables purchased recent Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra from owner/breeder Dolphus Morrison and partner Michael Lauffer. May 7, 1938: The Kentucky Derby Glass made its debut. First used as a water glass for the track restaurant, the mint julep glass has been a part of the Derby tradition for more than 50 years. May 7, 1949: Calumet Farm’s Ponder won the 75th Kentucky Derby, which was first telecast on a limited basis by local TV station WAVE. May 7, 1973: Secretariat was flown to Pimlico Racecourse to prepare for the Preakness Stakes after his record-breaking performance in the Kentucky Derby. May 7, 1983: Aboard Sunny’s Halo, jockey Eddie Delahoussaye became the last rider to win consecutive Kentucky Derbies. Other riders to have won back-to-back Derbies are: Isaac Murphy, Ron Turcotte and James Winkfield. May 7, 1988: Winning Colors, the first roan and the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, provided trainer D. Wayne Lukas with his first Derby win in 13 attempts. May 7, 1992: Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. announced his retirement from race riding. May 7, 2001: Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas saddled his 4,000th career winner, scoring with Added Spice in the ninth race at Delaware Park. Lukas’s mark put him behind only Dale Baird (8,479 wins), Jack Van Berg (6,300) and King Leatherbury (5,190). May 7, 2002: Seattle Slew, the last surviving Triple Crown winner, died at Hill ‘N Dale Farm in Lexington, Ky., at age 28. Seattle Slew’s death came on the 25th anniversary of his Kentucky Derby victory. May 7, 2007: Fresh off his victory two days earlier in the Kentucky Derby aboard Street Sense, jockey Calvin Borel attends a White House State Dinner honoring Queen Elizabeth II of England. May 8, 1901: David Garrick, owned by American Pierre Lorillard, won the Chester Cup in England, under the guidance of American jockey Danny Maher. May 8, 1915: H.P. Whitney’s Regret became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby, 40 years after the race’s inception in 1875. May 8, 1937: Mary Hirsch, daughter of Max Hirsch, who had conditioned 1936 Kentucky Derby winner Bold Venture, became the first woman trainer to saddle a runner in the Kentucky Derby. The horse, No Sir, who was also owned by Miss Hirsch, finished 13th in a field of 20. May 9, 1945: The wartime government ban on horse racing in the United States was lifted. May 10, 1842: Fashion, representing the North, competed against Boston, representing the South, in a match race at Union Course. Described by contemporaries as the best race ever run in America, with $20,000 put up on each side, the match was won by Fashion before a crowd estimated between 50,000 and 70,000. May 10, 1910: George Woolf, namesake of a jockey’s award given annually by Santa Anita Park, was born in Cardston, Alberta. May 10, 1919: Sir Barton won the Kentucky Derby after being winless in six tries. Four days later, on May 14, he won the Preakness Stakes, and on June 11, he became the first Triple Crown winner after capturing the Belmont Stakes. May 11, 1888: Trainer Robert Walden set the record for the most number of Preakness winners—seven—when he sent Refund to victory. May 11, 1892: African American jockey Alonzo Clayton, age 15, became the youngest rider to win the Kentucky Derby when he guided Azra to victory in the 18th running of the Derby. May 11, 1935: Trainer “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons sent a two-year-old colt, White Cockade, to victory in the Youthful Stakes at Jamaica, giving his 26-year-old owner, Ogden Phipps, his first stakes win ever. WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $75,000 and up) top FRIDAY, APRIL 29 SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Miami Mile Handicap, 3&up, $125,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Calder San Francisco Mile, 4&up, $100,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Golden Gate Fields Westchester Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, Grade III, 1M, Belmont Park Wilshire Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Hollywood Park Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes, 3&up, $75,000, 1 1-16M, Fonner Park Henry S. Clark Stakes, 3&up, $75,000, 1M (T), Pimlico Maryland Hunt Cup Timber, 4&up, $75,000, 4M (Timber), Glyndon -30- |
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