Welcome to 2024 Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we’ll take a look each week at a recent winner on the Triple Crown trail, usually from the Road to the Kentucky Derby race series that offers qualifying points for the first leg of the Triple Crown. honor marie Bay Colt
Blue Grass Farms Charities Announces Dr. Herb Riddle Dental Fund
Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) is proud to announce the Dr. Herb Riddle Dental Fund, beginning in 2024. This fund will ensure that horsemen and women who do not have dental insurance, or additional income for such need, can request assistance for examinations, and routine/emergency procedures.
Dr. Tom Riddle has heard many stories of farm workers dealing with oral health issues. He also knows that the cost involved for dental care continues to be overwhelmingly expensive for them. In 2019, Dr. Riddle's brother, Dr. Herb Riddle, DMD, passed away. Dr. Riddle and his wife, Margaret, wanted to honor Herb by establishing a dental fund.
“Margaret and I both want to do something to honor my older brother who passed away too young. We thought of honoring him by establishing a fund through the Blue Grass Farms Charities in which we would pay for dental care for horse farm workers in Kentucky. Blue Grass Farms Charities does a great job providing for the horse community in our area and thus, we can support a charity which we strongly believe in and honor my brother with a dental fund,” stated Dr. Riddle. “Many horse farm workers view dental care as optional. They do not realize the importance of taking care of their teeth to their overall health. It is Margaret's and my hope that the establishment of the Dr. Herb Riddle Dental Fund with Blue Grass Farms Charities will be an encouragement to visit their dentist regularly.”
For the past four years, the charity has received the Delta Dental of Kentucky grant, which provides emergency and routine procedures designated for the horsemen. This grant has become an essential part of the charity's healthcare assistance since emergency extractions were the only procedures covered. Currently, farm employees may apply for dental care by meeting the criteria of employment with a farm or track facility. This grant has 'opened the flood gates' for so many in need of dental care and has been the charity's number one requested assistance. The Delta Dental grant money regularly runs out before year-end because of this great need.
Therefore, the Dr. Herb Riddle Dental Fund will be vital for the increased asks for dental assistance.
“When Dr. Riddle called to say that he and Margaret wanted to establish a dental care fund for the workers, the Board of Directors and I were overjoyed. In our discussions, we agreed that Bluegrass Community Foundation would be the ideal platform to manage the Fund,” stated Julie Kwasniewski, Executive Director at Blue Grass Farms Charities. “Our partnership with Delta Dental and now the Dr. Herb Riddle Dental Fund, allows the charity to continue making healthier smiles for the Central Kentucky horsemen. We are grateful for the Riddles and their support.”
If you would like to contribute to the Dr. Herb Riddle Dental Fund/Blue Grass Farms Charities, you may do so directly to Bluegrass Community Foundation, 499 E High St STE 112, Lexington, KY 40507. 499 E High St STE 112, Lexington, KY 40507.
Blue Grass Farms Charities' mission is to provide health and human services to those who work in Central Kentucky's Thoroughbred Industry. Visit www.bgfcky.org; email info@bgfcky.org or call 859.219.0910 for more information, or check out on www.facebook.com/bgfcky or X at https://twitter.com/BGFCharities
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Gulfstream’s New Turf Course ‘Feels Great’; Grass Racing Resumes Friday
The new turf course at Gulfstream Park received rave reviews from jockeys Edgard Zayas and Luca Panici after riding a pair of Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained horses in company for a half-mile Monday morning.
“It feels great. It's beautiful,” said Zayas, who captured the riding title during the Sunshine Meet that concluded Saturday. “I can't wait to ride on it Friday.”
The 2023-2024 Championship Meet gets underway on Friday while offering the first turf races at Gulfstream since the renovation of the grass course began in May.
Zayas was aboard Sunshine Frolic, a 3-year-old son of California Chrome who worked inside General Ledger, a 2-year-old son of Summer Front ridden by Panici.
“Right now, the turf isn't dry. It's nice and moist. They got over it great,” Zayas said. “I can't wait. I love turf racing. It's my favorite. I'm really excited about the new turf and I'm excited turf racing's back.”
Sunshine Frolic, who broke his maiden on Tapeta in his second career start, and General Ledger, who won his debut impressively on dirt, ran as a team from the half-mile pole to the finish line before galloping out with energy. Both horses were timed in 48.14 seconds.
“It's nice, very consistent. They got over it nice,” Panici said. “It's not hard. It's looking good.”
Joseph used the opportunity to participate in the first workouts on the new turf course to introduce Sunshine Frolic and General Ledger to grass.
“Both of them have never run on the grass. Both of them most likely want to run on the grass, most likely,” Joseph said. “One has won on the Tapeta and the other is bred for all grass.”
Joseph was visually taken by the pristine surface.
“It's a beautiful piece of ground,” Joseph said.
Two races on turf have been carded for Friday's opening day program, including a $72,000 optional claiming allowance, a five-furlong sprint featuring the return of Yes I Am Free, who has won the last two runnings of the Gulfstream Turf Sprint (G3). Multiple graded stakes-placed Bad Beat Brian is slated to make his local debut for owner/trainer Brittany Vanden Berg in the Race 9 feature.
Three races on turf are scheduled for Saturday, when the Tropical Turf Pick Three will debut. The $3 minimum wager, which has a low 15-percent takeout, will be available on the last three turf races every Saturday and Sunday. Races 1, 8 and 11 will make up Saturday's Tropical Turf Pick Three. Atone, who won this year's $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), is scheduled to make his return to Gulfstream in Race 8.
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Kentucky Derby Winner Mage Retired
Mage, this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner, has been retired from racing and will begin his stallion career at Airdrie Stud for the 2024 breeding season, his connections announced in a release Nov. 27.
