October, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘It Was Amazing’: Jockey Alex Achard Relishing First Grade 1 Win

Alex Achard was all smiles and still fielding congratulations Wednesday morning four days after earning his first Grade 1 triumph aboard Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D O's In Love (BRZ) in the $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1). The race is a “Win and You're In” for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF to be contested at Del Mar on Nov. 6.

The Breeders' Cup will be something of a homecoming for Achard, who spent a winter in California as an exercise rider about 10 years ago before continuing his race riding career in his native France with side trips around Europe and to China.

With limited opportunities overseas, Achard opted to reboot his career in the U.S. in 2018. He chose Indiana Grand for its proximity to tracks in Kentucky and Ohio with chances to find mounts nearly every day. He rode 32 races without winning in his first season, but his work ethic began paying off the following year. Always willing to introduce himself to trainers and ride their horses wherever they are, Achard came upon In Love's trainer, Paulo Lobo, at The Thoroughbred Center in north Lexington.

“When I moved here, I didn't really know many people,” Achard said. “One day I was walking to the barns like I do pretty much every day. I guess a rider didn't show up, and Paulo asked if I could breeze a horse and I said, 'Sure.' That's how it (riding for Lobo) started.”

Lobo recognized Achard's talent and willingness to travel and began hiring him for races. In his first try aboard In Love, Achard guided him to an allowance victory at Arlington Park. Next out, the team captured the listed TVG Stakes at Kentucky Downs in September in a prep for the Keeneland Turf Mile.

Achard relished the energy of Keeneland's opening weekend, and said he wasn't nervous before the Keeneland Turf Mile.

“I was actually very confident before the race, but I didn't tell anybody,” Achard said. “For some riders it can be a bit of pressure, but I don't take it that way. I really enjoy it because it is really fun to see people. I just love it.”

Two days after the biggest win of his career, Achard was back at Indiana Grand, where he rode one winner from five mounts. He continues to receive the attention that began pouring in as soon as In Love crossed the finish line 1½ lengths in front.

“It was amazing because when the horse won at Kentucky Downs, that was huge,” he said. “We knew that was a big step to run against Grade 1 horses at Keeneland. I got a lot of calls from France and the United States to congratulate me, so that was cool.”

The post ‘It Was Amazing’: Jockey Alex Achard Relishing First Grade 1 Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Joi Garner Named General Counsel at NYRA

Joi L. Garner has been named Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the New York Racing Association, NYRA announced Wednesday. Garner succeeds Joe Lambert, who is retiring, and will assume her responsibilities on Oct. 15.

Garner previously served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at THINK450, the marketing and licensing subsidiary of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). At THINK450, Garner was the lead negotiator in several of the NBPA's most significant licensing deals, including agreements with Take-Two Interactive (NBA2K), Fanatics and Dapper Labs. Garner was also instrumental in creating the NBPA's partnership with Anheuser-Busch; and in social-justice initiatives, including DoorDash's #PayItForward challenge that supported Black-owned businesses and Kia Motors' holiday campaign that provided relief to families impacted by the pandemic.

In her new position, Garner will be returning to NYRA, where she served as associate general counsel from 2016-2018 and was responsible for commercial and technical contracts, commercial litigation, sweepstakes and contests, and acted as production counsel for NYRA's television shows, including oversight of the landmark media rights agreement with FOX Sports.

“Joi's legal and strategic acumen, combined with her depth of experience in the rapidly evolving sports, entertainment and media landscape, align perfectly with NYRA's priorities,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “We are thrilled to welcome Joi back to NYRA to help shape the future of the organization. NYRA would also like to thank Joe Lambert for his years of dedicated service, and we wish him the best in retirement.”

“In so many ways, NYRA sets the standard of excellence in thoroughbred racing,” added Garner. “It is an honor to return and join such a talented team committed to moving the sport into the future and embracing opportunities for growth and change.”

The post Joi Garner Named General Counsel at NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Joi Garner Named General Counsel For NYRA

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today the appointment of Joi L. Garner as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Garner succeeds Joe Lambert, who is retiring, and will assume her responsibilities on October 15.

Garner previously served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at THINK450, the marketing and licensing subsidiary of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) responsible for group product licensing, developing brand collaborations and commercializing the likeness rights of the collective group of current NBA players.

At THINK450, Garner was the lead negotiator in several of the NBPA's most significant licensing deals, including agreements with Take-Two Interactive (NBA2K), Fanatics and Dapper Labs. Garner was also instrumental in creating the NBPA's partnership with Anheuser-Busch; and in social-justice initiatives, including DoorDash's #PayItForward challenge that supported Black-owned businesses and Kia Motors' holiday campaign that provided relief to families impacted by the pandemic.

Prior to her tenure at THINK450 and NYRA, Garner was a member of the Sports and Entertainment group of Garvey Schubert Barer, advising media, companies, athletes and entertainers on corporate and entertainment matters. She also served at Morrison & Foerster LLP as an attorney; at the National Basketball Association as an international PR associate; and at MediaLink Worldwide, a broadcast public relations firm.

“In so many ways, NYRA sets the standard of excellence in thoroughbred racing,” said Garner. “It is an honor to return and join such a talented team committed to moving the sport into the future and embracing opportunities for growth and change.”

Several industry organizations and media outlets have cited Garner for her work, among them Black Sports Network, which featured her in its “Women in Sports” series; and Marcom Weekly, which named her to its ranking of “28 Powerful Black Leaders in Marketing & Media.” Garner has also been honored by the National Black Lawyers in its list of “Top 40 Under 40” and by SuperLawyers as a “Rising Star” in the Sports and Entertainment field.

Garner is a native of Philadelphia. She earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Media Communication from New York University.

NYRA is currently conducting live racing at Belmont Park, where the fall meet continues through Sunday, November 7. For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

The post Joi Garner Named General Counsel For NYRA appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Japan Expected To Send Six Breeders’ Cup Contenders To Del Mar

A total of six contenders from Japan are expected for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. Four are from the barn of trainer Hideyuki Mori, while the other two are conditioned by Yoshito Yahagi.

The Mori contingent includes:

Jasper Great (Juvenile) – This 2-year-old son of Arrogate won on debut over 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin on Oct. 9.
Jasper Prince (Dirt Mile) – A 6-year-old son of Violence who contested the pace in last year's Sprint at Keeneland, and won the listed Enif Stakes at Chukyo on Sept. 11.
Pingxiang (Dirt Mile) – The 4-year-old son of Speightstown traveled to the U.S. last year but did not draw into the Sprint. He has won several allowance races this year.
Matera Sky (Sprint) – A 7-year-old son of Speightstown who ran eighth in the Sprint at Santa Anita in 2019, and has run second in the G1 Golden Shaheen and two editions of the Saudi Sprint.

Yahagi's contenders are:

Loves Only You (Filly & Mare Turf) – A 5-year-old daughter of Deep Impact, this mare owns victories in the the 2019 G1 Japanese Oaks and this year's G1 FWD QE II Stakes.
Marche Lorraine (Distaff) – A 5-year-old daughter of Orfevre, winner of the Empress Hai.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post Japan Expected To Send Six Breeders’ Cup Contenders To Del Mar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post