Churchill Downs Inc. announced July 5 that they will donate “Against All Odds,” an inspiring bronze statue by Edwin Bogucki, to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as part of the Museum’s permanent collection. The statue will be unveiled at its new home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on July 12.
Month: July 2023
Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl Retires, Sandy Hawley Resigns
President of Jockeys and Jeans Barry Pearl has officially retired. The 76-year-old headed the annual event that has raised $3.1 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in their nine-year history. A former jockey, Pearl later became the track photographer at Penn National Racetrack and then a top salesperson for West Publishing. He retired in 2009 and moved to Juno Beach Florida with his wife Dee.
Hall of Fame Jockey Sandy Hawley, who along with his wife Karou, oversaw relationships with Hall of Fame Jockeys has also resigned. Each year they arranged for some 12 to 16 Hall of Fame Jockeys to attend and honor their wheelchair bound “brothers and sisters.'”
“Barry has organizational and sales skills far beyond my gifting,” said Vice President Eddie Donnally. “We would never have had this level of success without him at the helm. He embraced the cause for aiding disabled former jockeys and for him Jockeys and Jeans was a full-time job for at least six months out of the last nine years.”
Pearl indicated he stay on as an advisor and help with the transition.
“I hope the PDJF will embrace Jockeys and Jeans and keep it going,” said Pearl. “In the last nine years, I have met so many great people, fallen riders, Hall of Fame members and folks that truly care about jockeys who are now riding wheelchairs. It's been a good run, but it's time for me to hang up my tack.”
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‘I’ve Wanted To Be A Trainer For As Long As I Can Remember’: Matthew Ciamei Breaks Through At Monmouth
As much as Matthew Ciamei would have preferred not having to endure six months before his first career winner as a trainer, the fact that it happened at Monmouth Park for the Berkeley Heights, N.J., native made the wait worthwhile,
Ciamei, 25, broke through as a trainer when Runnin' Block prevailed by a neck at Monmouth Park on June 25. The only other two horses in his stable, Never and Burning Man, are entered in separate races on Friday's eight-race card at the Jersey Shore track.
“It's pretty cool that my first win came at Monmouth Park, the track I grew up at, with my grandparents there to see it,” said Ciamei. “It was exhilarating but it was also a relief to get that first one.”
Ciamei said he has been coming to Monmouth Park “since I was in a stroller,” influenced by his grandfather, Richard T. Woll, who owned horses.
“I used to come to the track with my grandfather all the time,” said Ciamei. “My grandparents lived at the Jersey Shore so I would be at the track with them the whole summer. I really loved it. I've wanted to be a trainer for as long as I can remember.”
But there was a catch before Ciamei could pursue his dream: His family insisted he get a college degree first. He did that, getting both his undergraduate degree and a Master's degree in accounting from Manhattan College.
“That was the deal with my family, to finish college, get my degree and then I could go after my dream, which was training,” he said. “I have no intentions of using those degrees but it puts my parents at ease to know I have them.”
Ciamei, who attended Oratory Prep in Summit, N.J., took out his trainer's license in January, starting at Palm Meadows in Florida.
He finished fifth with Never in his first career start at Gulfstream on Jan. 5, shifting his small stable to Monmouth Park in May. After starting 0-for-9, Runnin' Block delivered his first career win.
“I didn't expect it to be easy or smooth sailing so it has been what I expected – a learning curve with ups and downs,” said Ciamei, who started out working for Anthony Margotta. “I only have the three horses now but I am looking to claim. I have people who want to claim and I have empty stalls. We have money in the box. We're trying to claim but we're also trying to be smart about it so we're being patient.”
On Friday, Never goes in the first race, a maiden $40,000 claimer at five furlongs on the turf. Two races later Burning Man tries a $22,000 claimer at a mile and an eighth on the grass for Ciamei, who is 1-for-10 in his young career.
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A Closer Look at 2023 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Hopeful West Will Power
The fields for the 14 races that comprise the Breeders’ Cup World Championships really begin to come into focus in summer and fall and this regular feature will offer a snapshot profile of one of the previous weekend’s standout stars.
