Training continues to progress like clockwork for Tiz the Law, and trainer Barclay Tagg could not be happier about it – or feeling more fortunate.
‘Almost Like Starting Over’: Jockey Emanuel Nieves Working His Way Back From Injury
Several former leading riders will be gunning for a repeat title this year at Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., including Emanuel Nieves.
The 27-year-old Nieves was born in Puerto Rico and learned his craft at Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school near San Juan. It is a two-year program that has produced some of the top riders in North America, including Eclipse Award winning jockey Irad Ortiz and his brother, Jose.
Nieves made his riding debut in 2012 at Finger Lakes in New York, but Louisiana has been his circuit for the past three years. He credits his agent, Ronald Ardoin for his success as the former jockey works very hard and has solid relationships with pretty much every trainer in the region.
He was the leading rider at Harrah's Louisiana Downs in 2018, winning 85 races, but last year was much tougher. He was injured in a spill during the second week of the meet and underwent surgery. His recovery took over four months before he was cleared to ride. The remainder of the year was very challenging as he had to rebuild his business.
“It was very hard to get back,” admitted Nieves. “Many of my trainers had secured other riders at Evangeline Downs. It was almost like starting over.”
However, the support from many horsemen returned and Nieves is healthy and was ready when the Harrah's Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season began on Saturday, June 6. He showed his prowess in the saddle winning the final race of the card with Leadem Farm Inc's Friendlyproduction. The 3-year-old colt by Run Production was making his debut for trainer Joseph Smith. Smith had no expectations as the $10,000 purchase had not been showing much in his morning works.
“I just told Emanuel that I wasn't sure what we had, but to just figure it out,” said Smith.
In the early stages the Louisiana-bred was well behind the early pacesetters, but Nieves patiently guided his colt to the outside and drew off to a resounding eight-length victory. His morning line was 12-1, but he was completely overlooked in the wagering and returned $86 to those savvy handicappers that saw his potential!
Smith, who was an assistant in Texas to trainer Danny Pish until he went on his own in 2013, credits Nieves for a very patient ride on Friendlyproduction.
“Truthfully, I don't know how many other riders would have done as well,” added Smith. “They might just have given up, but not Emanuel! I have a small stable, so a win like that means a great deal to me and my owners.”
Friendlyproduction is entered back on Monday, June 22 and Nieves will have the return call at odds of 9-2.
Nieves is grateful to all the horsemen who continue to give him opportunities and does not dwell on the misfortune of 2019. Healthy and a proud new daddy to his 8-month-old son, Ian, he is more focused this year than ever. He strives to work hard in the mornings, win races in the afternoon and spend quality time with his wife and son.
“It's not how you start, but how you finish,” said Nieves.
The post ‘Almost Like Starting Over’: Jockey Emanuel Nieves Working His Way Back From Injury appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Billy Turner, Trainer Of Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew, Recovering From Broken Neck
Trainer Billy Turner, best known for his masterful handling of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, suffered a freak accident in April that left him in the hospital with a broken neck, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. The 80-year-old retired from racing in 2016, but was mowing around the Ocala Jockey Club in Reddick, Fla., when he ran over a branch that struck him in the back of the neck.
Once hospitalized, Turner discovered he also had prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. The hit to his head also caused a brain injury. After surgery to repair his neck and nearly two months in the hospital, Turner was finally released to head home. Doctors are focusing on the neck and brain injuries before they are able to treat the cancer.
“He's doing remarkably well and his mental state is surprisingly good,” his wife, Patti Turner, told the Thoroughbred Daily News. “His injury was way more serious than just a broken neck. He was in rehab for four, five weeks learning to walk. He had a serious injury to his brain. His brain wasn't communicating with his body for balance and he even lost his ability to swallow. He has recovered from that. He can talk and eat. We started the GoFundMe campaign because he needs serious professional nursing care in the home to get over this hump. If he can get several months of really good care we think he can move forward.”
A friend and neighbor, Rick Wallace, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Turner cover his ongoing medical expenses.
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
The post Billy Turner, Trainer Of Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew, Recovering From Broken Neck appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
What’s in a Name: Yuri Gagarin
In 1961, former foundryman Yuri Gagarin was the first cosmonaut to orbit the earth, and the first man in space outright, getting an early lead for the Soviets in the Race to the Moon. The name of the 4-year-old Kempton winner by Sea The Moon (Ger) out of Soviet Terms (GB) is a thoughtful and deserving one.
3rd-Kempton, ,5,400, Novice, 6-15, 3yo/up, 10f 219y (AWT), 2:21.70, st.
YURI GAGARIN (GB) (g, 4, Sea the Moon {Ger}–Soviet Terms {GB}, by Soviet Star) Sales history: 300,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $8,883.
O-Godolphin; B-Genesis Green Stud Ltd And Thurso Ltd (GB); T-John Gosden.
The post What’s in a Name: Yuri Gagarin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
