He sits back at his desk, staring out the window and into his thoughts. "Right now, we're about as down as we've been in a long time. We don't have much here," the trainer remarks candidly. "Yeah, this is gonna be slow for a while." The stable hands carry out their duties quietly, though activity in a five-horse barn is decidedly minimal. The phone no longer rings off the hook. Reporters, once a constant, now chase stories elsewhere. There are very few hints, in fact, that just weeks ago, this was home to every trainer's dream.
Advertising on jockey attire, owners' silks and track saddle cloths is now legal at California tracks. Although some concerns were raised regarding conflicts that advertising could cause, the California Horse Racing Board gave the change in race regulations unanimous approval Friday, Nov. 30.
Men's Exclusive has lost his last four starts since winning the Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita in January, but conditioner Wesley Ward is confident the 8-year-old gelding will run big in defense of his crown in the $100,000 Vernon Underwood Stakes (gr. III) at six furlongs Sunday.
A hearing to determine if five defendants should be dismissed from a lawsuit filed against the Jockeys' Guild by former national manager John Giovanni was postponed Wednesday due to illnesses by attorneys on both sides of the case.
It was happening all over again. America was a heartbeat away from being conquered in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). This time, however, a defeat would have been an ignominious end to the 2001 World Thoroughbred Championships.
The California Horse Racing board approved 15 proposed regulations for public notice Friday, setting the stage for account wagering to be in place in January after the proposed regulations pass through the administrative channels. The seven racing commissioners also voted unanimously to elect commissioner Alan Landsburg chairman.
John Giovanni, former head of the Jockeys' Guild, filed a lawsuit Sept. 20 alleging that he was slandered by Guild officers and illegally forced out of his position in June.
Last weekend Bobby Frankel won three graded stakes races with three horses. This weekend he'll have three horses in one graded stakes race, the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT). Frankel is to saddle Northern Quest, Super Quercus, and Timboroa in Del Mar's feature Saturday.
Jerry Bailey, Jockeys' Guild president emeritus, is resigning Friday from his positions on the Guild's executive committee and board of directors. He is resigning because he believes a five-member majority of the executive committee acted too hastily in hiring Matrix Capital Associates to manage the Guild.
By Ray Paulick -- It's not a very satisfying way to determine the outcome of such an important race, but that's the way the game has always been played.
Citing philosophical differences with the organization, jockey Pat Day has resigned as president and as a member of The Jockeys' Guild. "There is a distinct philosophical difference that prohibits me from any longer being a part of the organization," Day told bloodhorse.com Tuesday.
There is an air to Bienamado, a cocksure attitude laced with a dash of hubris, that exudes pride. That head held high, those white-rimmed eyes scanning the scene for anything of interest, he swaggers around like he owns the joint. If body language means anything, Bienamado knows he's the man.
Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron became the seventh jockey to reach the 7,000 win plateau, guiding 3-1 third betting choice Spinelessjellyfish to victory in the $175,000 Khaled Stakes Saturday at Hollywood Park.
Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron finished second on his first two mounts Saturday, remaining one victory shy of 7,000. He is scheduled to ride in four more races on the card.
Chris McCarron rode his first winner at old Bowie Race Course in 1974, and on Saturday, he'll have a chance to ride the 7,000th winner of his career in Maryland during the "Spring Challenge" at Pimlico Race Course.
The focus this weekend may primarily be on 3-year-olds, with the Wood Memorial in New York, Blue Grass Stakes in Kentucky, and Arkansas Derby all on tap, but other horses should not be forgotten. In California, Bienamado heads the lineup in Santa Anita's grade I San Juan Capistrano.
Jockey Chris McCarron has joined the Youbet.com board of directors. McCarron has been a company spokesman since 1996. He replaces Charles D. Peebler Jr., who has stepped down.
Aaron and Marie Jones' Riboletta won her fourth consecutive race Saturday at Del Mar, reeling in pacesetter Gourmet Girl before pulling away to win the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (gr. II).
Trudy McCaffery, John Toffan and Robert Sangster's Bienamado reeled in early pacesetter Self Feeder racing into the third turn and drew away through the stretch to win the $250,000 Sunset Handicap (gr. IIT) by 1 1/2 lengths Sunday at Hollywood Park. Deploy Venture finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Single Empire.
