Lost And Found Presented By LubriSynHA: In New Role Of Agent, Douglas Keeps A Positive Outlook

Optimism and dedication served Rene Douglas well during his career as a jockey, in which he rode more than 3,500 winners. Now he is capitalizing on that same mindset since turning his attention to being a jockey agent last year.

“It is kind of like what I used to do when I was riding races,” he said. “I was always hustling and trying to get named on the horses I wanted to ride. It is very similar except that now, I don't ride them.”

The recipient of Douglas's effort is Angel Arroyo, who ranked seventh in the win and earnings categories at the Gulfstream Park West meeting despite missing the final days because of a minor injury. He returned to action on Dec. 13, a week after the start of Gulfstream Park's premiere winter season that attracts some of the nation's top jockeys.

“He lost the momentum he had going into the big meet and lost some of the business he had,” Douglas said. “We had to start over, little by little. Things will pick up again because he is a good rider.”

Douglas is up early each morning to begin his work at home and spends much of his time contacting trainers for future mounts, a task that requires in-depth knowledge of upcoming races that suit specific horses. He gathers such information on a daily basis by watching racing on television and studying results.

“I like to watch every race,” he said. “I can pick up things that make me think I can get Angel to ride those horses.”

Rene Douglas enjoys the ceremony following Coltimus Prime's victory in the 2017 Clasico Presidente de la Republica

On entry days, he joins fellow agents and racing office staff on Zoom for post-position draws and finalizing mount assignments.

When not engaged in those tasks, Douglas is content to be in the comfy confines of home with his wife Natalia, their sons Christian and Giancarlo, who are in their early 20s, and Douglas's older son Michael.

Douglas's current vocation follows a previous endeavor of forming racing partnerships with dear colleagues. Under their Good Friends Stable banner, the group enjoyed particular success with Grade 1 winner Private Zone and Prince of Wales Stakes winner Golden Moka. Douglas specialized in importing and exporting runners between his native Panama and North America such as Panamanian G1 winner Coltimus Prime and the aforementioned Private Zone. While he said he is always on the lookout for potential horses, he prefers to stay focused on improving Arroyo's resume.

The need to reinvent himself came after an abrupt end to his two decades as a jockey in 2009 when his mount fell on him during a race at Arlington Park. The accident left Douglas without the use of his legs.

“Things happen in life that you never expect, but life continues; what are you going to do?” he said. “I just have to do the best I can as a person and a husband and move forward.”

He credits his “amazing” wife and his loyal friends for their support in helping him overcome severe depression while adjusting to a new way of living. Their dedication and commitment mean more to Douglas than his accomplishments in the saddle, including topping leader boards at Arlington Park and other tracks and winning such high-profile races as the 2006 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Dreaming of Anna.

When asked about his favorite memories from his prime, Douglas takes a long pause before casually mentioning that he won the 1996 Belmont Stakes on Editor's Note for D. Wayne Lukas.

“When I first moved to Chicago, there was something about that place that made me a happy person—the people and the racing,” he said. “Arlington was a special racetrack for me.”

Those experiences were so special that Douglas and Natalia continue to spend summers there while living in South Florida the rest of the year.

Despite major and minor setbacks, Douglas looks on the bright side while facing the challenges.

“I have always been very positive in life,” he said. “That is why I think I won a lot of races. I encourage others to do the same thing.”

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Quenane Posts $57.60 Upset In Millions Classic Preview At Gulfstream Park West

IAB Stables and Walter Fralick's Quenane, the longest shot in a field full of stakes winners, showed off his fondness for the course and conditions by splashing to a one-length victory over late-running favorite Noble Drama in Saturday's $60,000 Millions Classic Preview at Gulfstream Park West in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The Classic Preview for 3-year-olds and up, shortened to one mile this year, was the first of five dirt stakes for Florida-breds on the program, serving as a prep for the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Jan. 16 during Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet.

Quenane ($57.60), a 6-year-old Algorithms gelding, led every step of the way to earn his 13th lifetime victory and fourth in seven tries at Gulfstream West. For his career, Quenane has a record of 4-4-1 in 13 attempts on an off track.

Jockey Angel Arroyo and Quenane raced to the outside of Debbie's Passion on the short run to the first turn and around the bend before taking over willingly into the backstretch, with defending champion Red Crescent also racing forwardly in third. The first quarter-mile went in 24.40 seconds as Red Crescent moved up to a pressing position.

Red Crescent continued to loom a threat through a half in 47.70, a half-length behind Quenane, with Debbie's Passion third and Noble Drama beginning to rev up along the inside after trailing early. Red Crescent appeared to nudge a neck in front between calls but Quenane responded by surging again and remaining in front after six furlongs in 1:11.97.

Arroyo hugged the rail turning for home and set sail for the wire while Noble Drama, a winner of back-to-back stakes but engaged in a long drive under Emisael Jaramillo, shifted to the far outside to make a belated bid for second. Debbie's Passion held third, followed by Garter and Tie and Red Crescent.

“Noble Drama is in terrific form and Red Crescent won this race last year, and so far Quenane in keeping company with them over the summer really hadn't been effective with them and faced some challenges when running against them,” winning trainer Tamara Levy said. “Not to slight Quenane – he's a very good horse and he's exceeded our expectations of him time and time again. If he can work it out and find away, he'll get it done.”

Claimed by Levy as a 3-year-old for $6,250 out of a third-place finish July 9, 2017, in what was his 10th start, Quenane moved over the $300,000 mark in lifetime purses with Saturday's win. Levy plans to point him to the 22nd Claiming Crown Dec. 5 on opening day of the 2020-2021 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park.

“He's never won gate to wire in his career. He knows the pace, he's an older horse. He knows where the wire is. He knows the job, so you've got to kind of let him decide. Sometimes he knows best,” Levy said. “Angel did a terrific job today.”

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Full Sister To Rachel Alexandra To Debut Friday At Gulfstream Park

Gladys, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, is scheduled to make her debut Friday at Gulfstream Park.

The 2-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro is slated to break from the outside post position in a field of 10 2-year-old fillies assembled for a $65,000 six-furlong maiden special weight race carded as Race 6.

Gladys was named by owner/breeder Dede McGehee, a graduate of the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, in memory of her late maternal grandmother, Gladys Atkinson Houser.

Gladys is the eighth foal out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Roar whose first foal was Rachel Alexandra, who was named 2009 Horse of the Year after winning five Grade 1 races in a row, including the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward against males and the Kentucky Oaks.

The Kentucky-bred Gladys, who is trained by Kelsey Danner, has been prepared for her debut with a series of 10 breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Angel Arroyo has the mount.

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