Robin Goodfellow’s racing tips: Best bets for Monday, December 11
Mail Sport's racing expert Robin Goodfellow delivers his tips for Monday's meetings at Lingfield, Chelmsford City and Ayr.
Month: December 2023
Warren, Racing Director At Evangeline Downs, Delta Downs, To Embark On New Chapter
Chris Warren, who has served as Director of Racing for both Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs in Louisiana, will depart his position at those tracks and head home to Ruidoso, New Mexico. His last day will be Friday.
His Beginning
Warren, 64, grew up in Ruidoso, and credits his dad, Bill Warren, for introducing him to the Sport of Kings. He was a contractor, carpenter, and builder by trade. Chris enjoyed watching the races at Ruidoso Downs and earned money in high school by writing and selling a tip sheet he titled “Simon Says.”
“My dad loved horse racing and definitely got me started,” acknowledged Warren.
He worked summers at Ruidoso Downs and attended the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry program in Tucson.
“I remember in 1987 I worked as assistant clerk of scales at Santa Anita,” he said. “The first rider in the room was Billy Shoemaker. That was like a football fan interacting with Tom Brady; he could not have been nicer; it was a big moment for me.”
In addition to Santa Anita, Warren traversed the country in various racing office positions early in his career. His employers included The Downs at Santa Fe and Canterbury Park in Minnesota. He first worked at Delta Downs when he was 22 years old, serving as assistant racing secretary to Jim Grundy. He spent eight years at Delaware Park before returning to Delta Downs in 2001.
Demanding Job Description
The role of director of racing in Louisiana entails a myriad of responsibilities from interacting with horsemen and horsemen's organizations, attending racing commission meetings, overseeing purses and condition books for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, and ensuring racetrack safety.
Hiring competent racing office staff is also a key element of the job, and there are far more positions than the average racing fan knows about. Placing judges, entry clerks, starter and assistants, gate crew, jockey room clerk of scales, valets and more. When Boyd Gaming acquired its second track in Louisiana in 2013, Warren was asked to take over the role at Evangeline Downs in addition to Delta.
“In hindsight, I should have said no,” Warren said. “In the beginning, I put a lot of miles making the 120-mile (one-way) commute between the two tracks. Those trips have not been as necessary in the last few years.”
He earned respect from both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred trainers throughout his tenure.
Kenneth Roberts Sr. has been one of the leading Louisiana Quarter Horse trainers for decades and credited Warren for his commitment to the horsemen.
“I have always had a good relationship with Chris,” Roberts said. “You could call him with concerns, and he listened. His hands were tied sometimes, but he pulled for the horsemen and was there for us.”
Allen Landry, who runs Thoroughbreds at both Delta and Evangeline, echoed the sentiments of Roberts.
“Despite his busy schedule, Chris would always take my call,” said Landry. “He would do his best in taking care of what I asked him to look into. We will miss him.”
The memories are plentiful for Warren for both breeds. Each year, Delta Downs concludes its Quarter Horse meet with the running of the Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity. Named in honor of the late Louisiana horseman who developed the Vinton, La. racetrack and served as its first president. Warren extends an invitation to the entire Berwick family to watch the juveniles compete for the championship. Berwick's widow, Betty, attends and is escorted to the very crowded winner's circle by Warren.
“The race is always exciting and it's nice to spend a few minutes with Betty,” acknowledged Warren. “I will miss her a lot.”
The $1-million Delta Downs Jackpot was held for 15 years, and Warren enjoyed the high profile Thoroughbred event, which served as a springboard to the Kentucky Derby (G1). A total of 16 Delta Jackpot participants made it to the starting gate on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs.
“It was cool to follow our Jackpot winners on the Triple Crown trail,” said Warren. “We welcomed many high profile trainers and saw some really great horses, including Exaggerator, Goldencents, and 2010 Eclipse Award [champion sprinter] Big Drama.”
Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs, praised Warren for his commitment and years of service.
“Chris' dedication and intense passion for the sport had a tremendous impact on Delta Downs, as well as horse racing across the state of Louisiana,” said Kuypers. “His contributions helped make Delta Downs the Number One racetrack in the United States in USA Today's Reader's Choice poll earlier this year. Chris is a great colleague and friend, and he leaves behind an incredible legacy at Delta Downs. We will all miss him greatly and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Smooth Transition To Come
John Simon is currently the racing secretary at Delta Downs and will serve as Director of Racing, and Tracey Coonce takes on the same role at Evangeline Downs.
“They have done a great job and get along well with their staff,” said Warren.
Don Stevens, the popular announcer at Delta Downs, also worked closely with Warren.
“I have worked with Chris for over 20 years at Delta Downs,” said Stevens. “His extensive experience in the racing industry, along with his ability to look at things from a unique perspective, have been an asset to Boyd Gaming and he will be sorely missed.”
Warren will return to his home in Ruidoso to the delight of his wife of 40 years, Patricia, and their feline family. He has no plans for retirement and hopes to remain in the racing industry in a smaller capacity.
“I'm looking forward to regrouping, enjoying the holidays, and playing some golf when it gets warmer,” Warren said. “Right now, I have no interest in working full time but hope to do something to help pay the cat food bill.”
The post Warren, Racing Director At Evangeline Downs, Delta Downs, To Embark On New Chapter appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Secret Reserve Hangs On For Steady Growth Win, Halts Winless Skid
Secret Reserve took Sunday's $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up, contested at 1 1/16 miles over the Woodbine Tapeta.
It was an early scramble for the lead with Dun Drum emerging on top and Secret Reserve, with Leo Salles aboard, riding the rail to sit second, followed by Perfect Crime and Avoman. Dun Drum was a half-length ahead of Secret Reserve through a quarter in :24.01 and extended that lead to a length over Perfect Crime, while Secret Reserve was a further head back, after a half in :47.74.
Turning for home, Secret Reserve, winless in his past 10 starts, waited for an opening to emerge, as a host of others, including Avoman, Ron's Gizmo, and Grandson, second-last and last, respectively, at the half-mile mark, and 2-1 choice Cruden Bay, all came with a run.
Secret Reserve grabbed a tenuous lead in upper stretch before being headed by a rival, but the 5-year-old son of Giant Gizmo out of the Smart Strike mare Smart Suzie reclaimed the advantage and then dug in to cross the wire a head in front of 14-1 Grandson, who was supplemented to the race. Ron's Gizmo was third and Cruden Bay finished fourth. Artie's Storm, Rapid Test, and Town Cruise were scratched.
The final time was 1:43.91.
“I love this horse,” said Salles. “The trip is working very well. I could save ground all the way. He's not an easy ride, but I could control him well, and he waited for me.”
Secret Reserve, who had posted four thirds from eight starts this year for trainer Mike Mattine and owners Carlo D'Amato and Stacey Van Camp, recorded his fourth stakes score. The dark bay won the 2021 editions of the Elgin and Lake Superior, and last year's Bold Venture Stakes (G3), his most recent victory prior to the Steady Growth.
“He's a nice, honest horse and this year we had a lot of tough results,” said Mattine. “But he finally came through today. The inside was really good the last week or so and he had a good post. He stayed on the rail and saved ground.”
A US$6,764 purchase from the FAV Racing consignment at the 2019 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, Secret Reserve, sixth in the 2021 Steady Growth, is now 6-1-6 from 21 starts. He was bred by Dr. B. Van Arem
He paid $9.60 for the victory.
The post Secret Reserve Hangs On For Steady Growth Win, Halts Winless Skid appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
‘I Let Him Be Who He Is’: Seven-Year-Old Rocco Joseph Shows Love Of Racing At Gulfstream
Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Abrumar uncorked a late rally to graduate in Sunday's Race 6 maiden special weight event at Gulfstream Park, where Ken Ramsey's colors were on full display for the fourth time in the Championship Meet.
Edgard Zayas posed for the winner's circle picture atop the highly promising 2-year-old son of Divisidero, but he wasn't the only one wearing the white silks with the red 'R' that have graced winner's circles at tracks from coast to coast for many years. Nearby, 7-year-old Rocco Joseph, who is Joseph's son, stood proudly for the photographer in his black riding boots, crop in hand, clad in Ramsey's familiar silks.
It was Gulfstream's version of the TV reality show “Who Wore It Best?”.
It has become a familiar sight for the last year or two at Gulfstream Park for Rocco Joseph to accompany his parents in the winner's circle in full jockey gear, wearing one of his several replica silks of owners in his father's stable.
“He's obsessed with it. He loves it,” said Joseph, the defending two-time Championship Meet training titlist. “Kids are innocent; they're fearless. I let him be who he is. He loves the sport.”
Considering that his father has won eight consecutive training titles at Gulfstream Park, Rocco Joseph has had plenty of opportunities to sport his many sets of colors.
Judging from Sunday's performance by Abrumar, the younger Joseph could be returning to the winner's circle in the Ramsey colors in the near future.
Abrumar, who overcame a slow start at Woodbine to finish third in his Aug. 20 debut in a seven-furlong maiden test, saved ground while settling a few lengths off the pace before kicking in late to win Sunday's one-mile turf race.
“He was a private purchase by Mr. Ramsey. Brian Russell, his horse scout, found him and went ahead and bought him,” Joseph said. “He ran well obviously his first race. Today, he stepped up. That experience helped him.”
Abrumar ran a mile on firm turf in 1:34.91 to prevail over game pacesetter Paris Surprise by three-quarters of a length.
Abrumar's sire, Divisidero, won his career debut on turf for trainer Buff Bradley in February 2015 and went on to become a multiple Grade 1 winner.
The post ‘I Let Him Be Who He Is’: Seven-Year-Old Rocco Joseph Shows Love Of Racing At Gulfstream appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
