Month: November 2023

‘I Just Wanted To Be Around The People I Love’: Joe Bravo Rides First Winner Since Returning To South Florida

Jockey Joe Bravo has enjoyed a history of success on David Fawkes-trained horses at Gulfstream Park and beyond over the years, so it was only fitting that the veteran rider would score his first victory since returning from Southern California aboard a Fawkes trainee.

Bravo, who has ridden the winners of 5627 races and more than $199.7 million in purses, guided Whateverwilbewillbe to victory with a heads-up ride in Sunday's Race 3 of Gulfstream Park's nine-race program. Bravo broke through with his first win back at Gulfstream on only his second mount.

“It's nice to be home, but it's even better to do it for friends,” said the 52-year-old jockey who began is career in South Florida in 1988. “Look at the horse he put me on. I was just able to sit there. It made my job easier.”

Bravo eased Whateverwilbewillbe off a contested early pace in the seven-furlong maiden claiming race to attain a ground-saving trip behind the speed into the far turn. Midway on the turn, Brave slipped his mount inside the tiring pacesetter on his way to a 1 ¼-length victory.

Bravo made a most successful foray into the Southern California Thoroughbred racing circuit after leaving the East Coast in 2021, winning several graded stakes, including the 2022 Big Crosby (G1) aboard American Theorem.

“I was thankful, but when it came right down to it, off days in California became pretty quiet for me. I just wanted to be around the people I love and know, and that's the reason I'm here,” Bravo said. “I'm excited to be back here racing.”

Bravo added to his impressive resume in 2015 and 2016 aboard Fawkes-trained Sheer Drama, who won the 2015 Royal Delta (G2) before capturing three-straight Grade 1 victories in 2016.

Bravo and Fawkes are long-time fishing buddies in addition to being a successful jockey-trainer duo.

“I have to cut his bait. He has me cleaning the boat. It's horrible,” Bravo quipped.

The post ‘I Just Wanted To Be Around The People I Love’: Joe Bravo Rides First Winner Since Returning To South Florida appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Sam Houston Race Park Releases 2024 Stakes Schedule Worth $2.5 Million

Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 30th live racing season on Friday, January 6, 2024. A total of 22 stakes with purses totaling $2.5 million will be run throughout the 43-day Thoroughbred meet, which continues through through Sunday, April 7.

Supporting Texas-bred racing continues to be an important priority for the northwest Houston racetrack. Two stakes, the $75,000 Darby's Daughter for 3-year-old fillies and the $75,000 My Dandy Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings will be contested on opening night. These stakes kick off the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series for 3-year-olds.

The annual Houston Racing Festival is set for Saturday, January 27 with a 1:00 pm first post. The 2024 edition will offer five stakes races, anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3). The $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $75,000 Bara Lass and $75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes will be included on the undercard.

Texas Preview Day comes next with five stakes for Texas-breds on Saturday, February 17. The event serves as important preparation for Texas Champions Day, with seven stakes races on Saturday, March 23.

Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager, looks forward to a season filled with quality racing and an enhanced promotions and event schedule. Live racing will take place Fridays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Central). Holiday Monday racing, also at 1:00 pm, will take place on Martin Luther King Day and President's Day. Sam Houston Race Park will also host live racing and festivities, beginning at 1:00 pm on each of the Triple Crown dates: Kentucky Derby on May 4, Preakness on May 18 and Belmont Stakes on June 8.

“We are committed to presenting an exciting racing season and engaging horseplayers, no matter their level of experience,” said Pettigrew. “Our goal in hosting live racing and promotions on weekend afternoons is to create a festive atmosphere for both racing enthusiasts and casual fans.”

2024 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule 

Friday, January 6                            

$75,000 Darby's Daughter                             3yo F- 5.5 Furlongs

$75,000 My Dandy Stakes                             3yo C&G- 5.5 Furlongs

Saturday, January 27                                   Houston Racing Festival

$300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3)          4&up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile

$200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3)            4&up- 1 1/2 Mile (T)

$100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile              3yo- 1 Mile (T)

$75,000 Bara Lass Stakes                               3yo Texas-bred Fillies- 6 Furlongs

$75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes                         3yo Texas-bred- 6 furlongs

Friday, February 16

$35,000 Darley Sprint Arabian Stakes(G2)    7 Furlongs 4& up Arabians

Saturday, February 17                                 Texas Preview Day for Texas-breds

$75,000 Jim's Orbit                                        3yo C&G- 6 Furlongs

$75,000 Two Altazano                                   3yo F- 6 Furlongs

$75,000 H-Town                                             4yo & up- 7 Furlongs

$75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf                       4&up F&M- 1 Mile (T)

$75,000 Houston Turf                                    4&up- 1 1/16 Miles (T)

Friday, March 9

$60,000 Texas-Six Shooter Arabian Stakes   4& up Arabians -1 1/16 Miles (T)

Saturday, March 23                                      Texas Champions Day for Texas-breds

$100,000 TTA Derby                                     3yo C&G- 1 Mile and 70 yards

$100,000 TTA Oaks                                       3yo F- 1 Mile and 70 yards

$75,000 Richard King                                    4&up- 1 1/8 Mile (T)

$75,000 San Jacinto                                        4&up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile (T)

$75,000 Spirit of Texas                                  4&up- 6 Furlongs

$75,000 Yellow Rose Stakes                          4&up F&M- 6 furlongs

$75,000 Star of Texas                                     4&up- 1 Mile

Saturday, March 30

$60,000 Yellow Rose Arabian Stakes            4& up Arabians -1 Mile (T)

Michael Acton returns as Racing Secretary for the 2024 live racing season including the 25-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet which will run from Friday, April 19 through Saturday, June 15. Post time for the Quarter Horse season will be 6:30 pm.  The Sam Houston Race Park Horsemen's link has updated resources including the first condition book, stakes nominations, information on Texas Racing Commission licensing  and stall application information for the 2024 live racing season.

The post Sam Houston Race Park Releases 2024 Stakes Schedule Worth $2.5 Million appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Breyer To Honor Horse-Human Connection With New Cody’s Wish Model

Each time the racing gate doors rung open, more than just potential prestige and prize money rode with the Thoroughbred racehorse Cody's Wish (Curlin – Dance Card x Tapit). The elegant bay stallion, in addition to being a Grade 1 winner, shared a special connection with Cody Dorman, a young man with a genetic disorder who met the horse as a foal. Their inspiring story, which captured national media attention and the hearts of people around the world, will now be immortalized in a gorgeous Breyer model horse, allowing fans to own a piece of the unique horse-human connection that has touched so many.

Cody's Wish and his namesake met in 2018 during a visit to Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Kentucky sponsored by Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. To everyone's amazement, one foal walked straight over to Cody and laid his head in his lap. As a result of his genetic syndrome, Cody used a wheelchair and communicated via tablet, but it was clear to see there were no barriers when it came to his connection with the foal. Inspired by this touching event, the horse's owners named him Cody's Wish.

As it turns out, that same foal was destined for greatness. In 2021, following a trio of third place finishes, Cody's Wish won his first race at Churchill Downs with Dorman in attendance. In 2022, the horse was entered in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes in Saratoga, where he upset the favorite and proved himself a true competitor. But his prowess on the racetrack was soon to be accentuated by his relationship with Cody, who predicted the stallion's win in his next race, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. “[He] will win when I'm there in person,” Dorman stated about the stallion's chances, and when Cody's Wish passed the competition in the final stretch to win by a head, NBC Sports' race caller Larry Collmus summed up the finish with: “The wish has come true! That one's for you, Cody!”

Cody's Wish received the 2022 Vox Populi Award, which recognizes racehorses whose stories and achievements resound with the public, before kicking off his 2023 season with back to back wins in the Churchill Downs Stakes and Grand I Metropolitan Handicap. Dorman, of course, was in attendance.

“Cody's Wish is a living example of how horses can change lives and inspire hope,” said Stephanie Macejko, Breyer's Vice President of Marketing. “In Breyer's 40+ year history, we have captured many inspiring and special horses, but there's something about Cody's Wish and his impact on his namesake that touches something in every horse lover. Every time this horse steps onto the racetrack, everyone knows he is running for more than just a win, he's running for Cody.”

The journey of Cody's Wish's career could not have ended in a more perfect swan song. In a hard-fought battle with Preakness winner National Treasure where he crossed the wire by a nose, Cody's Wish won his final race before retiring to stud: the 2023 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, where his story had captured so many hearts a year earlier. Cheers, tears, and raucous applause flowed from both thousands of fans and the Dorman family themselves as Cody's Wish was led into the winner's circle for the final time with his boy by his side. Tragically, Cody Dorman passed away from a medical issue the following day just shy of his 18th birthday (he hadn't been expected to live past his 2nd birthday). The unbelievable relationship between Cody and Cody's Wish will continue to inspire for years to come.

In recognition of Cody Dorman and Cody's Wish, Breyer is making a $10,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, the nonprofit organization that sparked their connection. Their mission is to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, and Cody Dorman's relationship with a champion racehorse began with them. With this donation, Breyer hopes to honor Cody's memory by making more wishes come true for the children that need them most.

You can find Breyer's Cody's Wish model at your favorite Breyer retailer as well as BreyerHorses.com in early December.

The post Breyer To Honor Horse-Human Connection With New Cody’s Wish Model appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Launches Free-To-Attend Foal Forum

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) has announced a new free-to-attend Foal Forum due to take place on November 30 during the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. 

The TBA ACCESS Foal Forum aims to educate and enlighten attendees about the intricacies and challenges of breeding and pinhooking foals. 

With an emphasis on fostering excellence and innovation in the industry, as well as providing networking opportunities with fellow thoroughbred enthusiasts, the inaugural event will take place in the sales ring at Park Paddocks by permission of Tattersalls and will be free to attend. However, individuals are encouraged to pre-register in advance here. 

Philip Newton, Chairman of the TBA said, “We are thrilled to offer this unparalleled opportunity for our members as well as interested individuals to immerse themselves in the world of bloodstock breeding and pinhooking. 

“The TBA ACCESS Foal Forum is poised to be an exemplary gathering, providing an engaging platform for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to exchange knowledge, ideas and ask questions.” 

The event will be hosted by Sky Sports Racing's, Vanessa Ryle, with an expert panel featuring Mimi Wadham and Violet Hesketh of WH Bloodstock, leading bloodstock agent Alex Elliott, Robert Dallas MCRVS of Rossdales, Kate Sigsworth of West Moor Stud, and Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud. 

Discussions will revolve around a range of aspects covering the art of breeding, preparing, selling, purchasing and veterinary examinations of foals before a Q&A session for attendees to get involved with.

Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud added, “I am looking forward to this panel discussion and opening the lid with other experts on breeding and buying foals. I have some burning questions to ask some of the panel and I would encourage anyone with friends who may be interested in the subject to come along and find out a bit more-it's great it's free to attend.”

The post Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Launches Free-To-Attend Foal Forum appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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