The $1.25 million, Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs dates back to 1875. The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies is as old as the coveted Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and boasts an elite roster of winners.
Month: May 2023
Jockey Of The Week: Jevian Toledo Wins Three Stakes At Laurel
Three stakes mounts at Laurel on Saturday led to three stakes wins for Jevian Toledo, one of the mid-Atlantic's elite jockeys. The panel of racing experts voted Toledo the honor of Jockey of the Week for April 24 through April 30. The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Saturday's Springfest stakes card at Laurel included five stakes races each worth $100,000.
Riding for trainer Bruce Kravets, Toledo was aboard Nimitz Class in the Native Dancer for three-year-olds and up. Off as the favorite in the six-horse field, Nimitz Class broke sharply and raced along the rail pressed by 17-1 shot Nostalgic Run. Nimitz Class took the lead after the half and was in command around the far turn to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:52.11 for the mile and one-eighth on a muddy track. The Native Dancer was the fourth stakes win in a row for Nimitz Class with Toledo in the irons.
“He did it pretty easy,” said Toledo. “They were the same kind of horses that he's been running against, but he's a nice horse. You can do whatever you want with him.”
Toledo won his second consecutive stakes for leading Laurel Park trainer Kieron Magee on Classier in the Henry S. Clark Stakes. The race was originally scheduled for one mile on the turf but moved to the main track at one mile. Off as the favorite in the five-horse field, Toledo guided the five-year-old to a front-running 1-3/4-length win in 1:38.28. It was the third win in a row for Classier all with Toledo aboard.
Sandwiched in between his three stakes wins, Toledo won an Allowance Optional Claiming race for trainer Brittany Russell with Goodgirl Badhabits.
Toledo ended the day aboard Princess Kokachin for trainer John Robb in The Primonetta. Off as the favorite in the field of seven, Princess Kokachin did not disappoint her backers as she raced to the lead approaching the turn to win by one half length in 1:11.95 for the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares three-years-old and up.
Toledo, 28, won his first career Grade 1 race on April 8 in the Carter Handicap with Doppelganger at Aqueduct for trainer Brittany Russell. Toledo is one of Russell's go-to riders. He won his 1,000th career race on July 24, 2020 at a Laurel. Toledo has led the jockey standings multiple times at Laurel and Pimlico and currently sits in second place at the Laurel meet that began April 1.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week were Manny Franco with two stakes wins at Aqueduct, Tyler Gaffalione who won Keeneland's Spring Meet riding title, Leonel Reyes who led all jockeys in wins with nine, and Umberto Rispoli with three stakes wins at Golden Gate including the G3 San Francisco Mile.
The post Jockey Of The Week: Jevian Toledo Wins Three Stakes At Laurel appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
TCA Hosts ‘Bid On The Bluegrass’ Online Auction
Halters worn by Kentucky Derby starters including Forte (Violence), Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo), Tapit Trice (Tapit), Angel of Empire (Classic Empire), and Two Phil's (Hard Spun) will be just some of the items listed during this year's Thoroughbred Charities of America's 'Bid on the Bluegrass' online auction, the organization said in a release Wednesday.
Set to open on Thursday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and conclude on Saturday, May 6 at 9 p.m. E.T., all proceeds will benefit TCA.
“Bid on the Bluegrass will feature a wide array of items with a Kentucky focus,” said Erin Halliwell executive director of TCA. “We have bourbon-themed items, racing memorabilia, one-of-a-kind experiences, halters worn by Kentucky Derby starters, and much more. We are very grateful to all of our item donors for making this auction possible.”
A complete list can be found here, with new items added daily until the start of the auction.
The post TCA Hosts ‘Bid On The Bluegrass’ Online Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Thoroughbred Charities Of America To Host Bid On The Bluegrass Online Auction
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) will host Bid on the Bluegrass, an online auction of unique, Kentucky-themed items and experiences including halters worn by many 2023 Kentucky Derby contenders. Bid on the Bluegrass is set to open on Thursday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and will conclude on Saturday, May 6 at 9 p.m. ET. All proceeds will benefit TCA.
“Bid on the Bluegrass will feature a wide array of items with a Kentucky focus,” said Erin Halliwell executive director of TCA. “We have bourbon-themed items, racing memorabilia, one-of-a-kind experiences, halters worn by Kentucky Derby starters, and much more. We are very grateful to all of our item donors for making this auction possible.”
A list of items can be found here.
Featured items are halters worn by Kentucky Derby starters including Forte, Kingsbarns, Tapit Trice, Angel of Empire, and Two Phil's. Other featured items are a meet and greet with Zenyatta at Lane's End Farm, a tour and visit with Rachel Alexandra at Stonestreet Farm, a tour of Hermitage Farm, artwork, a private Pinhook Bourbon tasting, Four Roses Bourbon 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch, and more.
New items will be added daily until the start of the auction.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds to charities in the Thoroughbred industry that provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers, by supporting qualified repurposing and retirement organizations and by helping the people who care for them. In 2022, TCA granted over $783,000 to 74 approved charities working within Thoroughbred retraining, rehoming and retirement; backstretch and farm worker services, research and equine-assisted therapy. During the last three decades, TCA has granted over $26 million to more than 200 charities that successfully meet the criteria set forth in its annual grant application. TCA administers the Horses First Fund, founded by LNJ Foxwoods in 2016, to assist Thoroughbreds in need of emergency aid. TCA manages Cómo, a mobile app founded by Godolphin, that connects racing industry employees to the vital services they need through a network of racetrack chaplains and Thoroughbred industry organizations. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
The post Thoroughbred Charities Of America To Host Bid On The Bluegrass Online Auction appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
