Declan Carroll | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘A Person I’ll Never Forget’: Racing Industry Remembers Jockey Miguel Mena

Friends and colleagues from across the horse racing industry continue to share stories of jockey Miguel Mena, who tragically passed away Sunday evening in an accident on I-64 in Louisville.

Mena was a fixture around the racetrack and spent nearly every morning breezing horses for different trainers. Away from the racetrack, the 34-year-old native of Peru would constantly update his social media pages with photos of his family, including two young daughters Naelah and Montserrat. Along with his two daughters, Mena leaves behind his wife, April, and many friends and family.

Here are some memories that were shared of Mena:

· Jason Barkley (trainer): “I don't know that I can put into words what Miguel Mena has meant to us from Day 1. He was such a great person to be around and always smiling when he came to work. I was proud to have him ride for us and I was lucky enough to be his friend.”

· Declan Carroll (jockey) – “I've been lucky to know (Mena) my entire life. He was a special person and words can't describe how much he'll be missed.”

· Wayne Catalano (trainer): “Miguel was a wonderful young man. He came in cheerful. He was an unbelievable kid and great rider. I feel for his family and two young girls. They were his everything.”

· Emerson Chavez (exercise rider) – “I have so many good memories and stories to count – each one holds extraordinary value to me. … I'd like to thank him for welcoming me to my arrival in this country and offering me selfless friendship. … I'm devastated, sad and can't understand everything that happened. … Seeing so many people disgraced by his sudden departure only makes me confirm the magnificent person he was.”

· Florent Geroux (jockey): “I lost more than a friend – a true brother. He'll never be able to be replaced.”

· Tim Hanisch (agent): “I really enjoyed working with him. We had a good business relationship together but we were friends outside the track. He was one of my favorite people from the racetrack. He always had a smile on his face and was in a good mood. We'd get dinner together a lot in New Orleans at Fair Grounds. I thought a lot of him as a rider and a person. He had a really severe injury (in 2018) and admired what he showed to come back from something like that.”

· Colby Hernandez (jockey): “Miguel was not just a friend to me, he was family. There are no words that I can ever say to express our relationship. We rode for a lot of the same people and worked together almost every morning and afternoon. Things will never be the same.”

· Brian Hernandez Jr. (jockey): “We are all just going through it together. We all lost such a good friend. Miguel was always in such in a good mood. He knew how to read the racing form so well. I spent the last 15 years sitting next in jocks room. It's just really hard knowing we won't see him in that room again. … There are no words, post or pictures that can describe the honor, respect or love I have for Miguel. I truly loved the friendship we had.”

· Michelle Lovell (trainer): “I will always cherish the memory of us winning my first graded stakes race together. He rode a brilliant race. He's a person I'll never forget.”

· John Ortiz (trainer): “We lost a great friend. He was a wonderful father, husband and just a great person in general. It has been an absolute honor to have worked with him. We at Ortiz Racing send our deepest condolences to Miguel's family. He will be missed by many and especially by all of us here.”

· Dale Romans (trainer): “He was such a good person. I don't know anybody who had a bad word to say about Miguel.”

· Jose Santos Jr. (agent): “Over the past two years I had the fortune to work side by side with Miguel. He was one of the most likable guys I had been around. I think a lot of us who knew Miguel felt the same way. I eternally appreciate all of the opportunities he gave me and I will never forget what we accomplished.”

· Al Stall Jr. (trainer): “There was no question his talent. He caught everyone's eye at an early age. I noticed him at Churchill in the early 2000s. The size of the race didn't bother him at all.”

Churchill Downs will hold a moment of silence following Race 5 Wednesday (approximately 3:03 p.m.). Those who are unable to attend can view the ceremony on “America's Day at the Races” on FS2 or through the simulcast channel on the Churchill Downs LIVE app.

The post ‘A Person I’ll Never Forget’: Racing Industry Remembers Jockey Miguel Mena appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Father’s Day: Churchill Horsemen Share Their Favorite Lessons From Dad

There are many second and third generation trainers and horse people on the backside of Churchill Downs. In honor of Father's Day, the Churchill media team asked several what advice or life lessons they have learned from their father:

Trainer Buff Bradley (son of late owner/breeder Fred Bradley): “One of the key things my dad taught me about horses was to have patience. When a horse needs time off, give them the time they need. In the end, the horses will reward you.”

Breeders' Cup Communications and Social Media Manager Hayley Amoss (daughter of trainer Tom Amoss): “He always tells my sister (Ashley) and me is that life is cyclical. It's not a linear path to success and you will have highs and lows. When you have the highs, take a step back and appreciate the moments with those you love, and when you're in the lows, grind it out because times will get better.”

Jockey Declan Carroll (son of assistant trainer David Carroll): “He taught me to always work hard and be positive. No matter how things may be going in life or riding, keep a positive attitude and work hard. Things are not given, they are earned. He gave me the opportunity to grow up from a very young age and learn from the start. If it wasn't for him I would be completely lost. He's there for all my ups and downs. He's my biggest critic and supporter.”

Trainer Norm Casse (son of trainer Mark Casse): “Dad always treats everyone with respect and I try to do the same. I feel like that, above many other things, is the most important thing he's taught me in life. Horse racing wise, the list would be too long.”

Trainer Greg Foley (son of late trainer Dravo Foley): “He taught me everything about being a horseman. My sister (Vickie Foley) and I grew up on the backside with him and he gave us the knowledge about horses and this sport.”

Assistant trainer Travis Foley and MagnaWave Specialist Alex Foley (sons of trainer Greg Foley) via joint text: “Of course, the easy answer is he taught us his sense of style. Jokes aside, he's showed us how to work hard, handle your business, treat people well and just try to not get too high or low depending on how the racing Gods may be treating you. He's been a great example of controlling what you can and being very consistent in everything you do.”

Jockey Chris Landeros (son of exercise rider Manny Landeros): “Throughout the ups and downs of our job, my dad always taught me to never give up. We go through many good times and bad but throughout it all he's always been consistent telling me never to give up.”

Jockey agent Jake Romans (son of trainer Dale Romans): “He's taught me so much in my life and continues to do so every day. When I first became an agent I remember him telling me to always keep an even temperament. There are many highs and lows of this sport and never get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.”

Jockey agent Brodie Wilkes (son of trainer Ian Wilkes): “He has always taught me to never stop learning. Every day that goes by you can learn something new. Then, he would always joke that the quicker I learn the sooner he can retire.”

The post Father’s Day: Churchill Horsemen Share Their Favorite Lessons From Dad appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Midnight Bourbon, Soup And Sandwich Post Derby Tune-ups At Churchill Downs

On a seasonably cool Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) contenders Midnight Bourbon and Soup and Sandwich continued their preparation for the first Saturday in May with published workouts beneath the Twin Spires.

Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred G3 winner Midnight Bourbon breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 while Live Oak Plantation's G1-placed Soup and Sandwich worked a half-mile in :48.80.

Soup and Sandwich, the runner-up finisher in the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1), worked at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) with jockey Declan Carroll aboard through fractions of :12.60 and :24.60. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.60 and completed seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27.40. The striking gray son of Into Mischief worked on the outside of two-time winner Natural Power, who completed a half-mile in :49.20.

“This was the first time I've seen him work because he's been in Florida,” said trainer Mark Casse's assistant, David Carroll. “He has a big stride on him and really got over the track well. I told Declan to just let him do his thing and gallop out nicely. I think he's starting to find his stride. The Derby will be the first time he'll be led over from his own stall and I think it'll benefit him getting experience over the track.”

Soup and Sandwich has not finished off the board in three lifetime starts. He dominated Florida-bred competition in his debut at Gulfstream by 7 ¼ lengths. He returned in a first-level allowance at Tampa Bay Downs where he bested two rivals by 2 ¾ lengths. The homebred finished 2 ¾ lengths behind Known Agenda in the Florida Derby after dueling on the lead for the majority of the 1 1/8-mile race.

Two hours after Soup and Sandwich recorded his published workout, Midnight Bourbon took to the track and breezed on the outside of stablemate Jackie's Warrior through fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :36.80. The duo galloped out together through five furlongs in 1:13.20 and completed seven furlongs in 1:27.40.

Like fellow Derby contender Soup and Sandwich, Midnight Bourbon has never finished off the board. Through seven lifetime starts, he's recorded two wins, two seconds and three third-place finishes. Most recently, the son of Tiznow finished second to Hot Rod Charlie in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2).

The field for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve continues to take shape even with the completion of the qualifying races. As of Sunday morning, the last horse in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby was Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up Sainthood with 40 points. He's scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday along with stablemate Known Agenda.

UPCOMING ARRIVALS – Several contenders from trainer Todd Pletcher's squad are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday including Derby contenders Known Agenda and Sainthood along with Oaks runner Malathaat, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

Sainthood and Malathaat are both scheduled to van approximately 75 miles from Keeneland to Churchill Downs at 11 a.m. Sunday. Known Agenda is slated to arrive later in the afternoon from South Florida. Pletcher's New York-based runners Bourbonic and Dynamic One are scheduled to van Sunday evening to Louisville and arrive at approximately 5 a.m. Monday.

Pletcher will be stabled in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs

DOWN THE STRETCH – Travel plans for UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Panadol continue to be finalized. Trainer Salem bin Ghadayer reported that a decision on the colt's plans to run in the Derby would be finalized in the upcoming days. … Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Clairiere worked five furlongs in 1:02 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. The Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) runner-up worked inside of multiple graded stakes winner Finite. … Trainer Kenny McPeek stated Lexington Stakes (G3) winner King Fury would run in either the Derby or Preakness (G1). “We'll see how he comes out of the (Lexington) and if he gets enough points to get in the Derby,” McPeek said. “I think the Derby distance of 1 ¼ miles will hit him perfectly.” … The first day of the exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders will start Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and run through Thursday, April 29. Derby and Oaks horses will have a 15-minute training window where they will be the only horses on the track.

The post Midnight Bourbon, Soup And Sandwich Post Derby Tune-ups At Churchill Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Mandaloun, Helium Breeze At Churchill Downs; Pletcher Squad Due To Arrive Sunday

With three weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, the preparation for the 147^th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) continued to heat up at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., where Juddmonte Farm's Mandaloun cruised five furlongs in :58.80 and D J Stable's Helium clipped five-eighths of a mile in :59.20 over a fast track Saturday morning.

Mandaloun, the winner of the $400,000 risen Star at Fair Grounds, worked alongside Grade 2 winner Bonny South through opening fractions of :23.40 and :46.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:11.40 and seven furlongs in 1:25.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“I thought they both worked great,” trainer Brad Cox said. “They both worked fast but looked like they were doing it really easy.”

Following Mandaloun's work at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern), Cox darted to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to catch his flight to Hot Springs, Ark., where he will saddle Caddo River in Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Two hours later at 7:30 a.m., $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Helium worked alongside of stablemate Ghost of the Mambo through fractions of :11.80, :23.20 and :35.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12. Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard Helium while Declan Carroll rode the workmate.

“Everything went as smoothly as we could've drew it up,” trainer Mark Casse's local assistant David Carroll said. “He came in from Florida on Wednesday and has been doing very well since.”

Helium arrived with stablemate and fellow Kentucky Derby runner Soup and Sandwich, who is scheduled to breeze Sunday morning, according to Carroll. Owned by Live Oak Plantation, Soup and Sandwich – runner-up last out in the Florida Derby (G2) – galloped about 1 ½ miles at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

Godolphin's early Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality galloped at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. He's scheduled to work two times prior to the Derby.

Other Derby contenders that trained Saturday morning at Churchill Downs were Winchell Thoroughbreds' Midnight Bourbon, who galloped at 5:50 a.m. and Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' O Besos, who galloped at 5:30 a.m.

UPCOMING ARRIVALS – Several contenders from trainer Todd Pletcher's squad are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday including Derby contenders Known Agenda (Florida Derby winner) and Sainthood along with Oaks runner Malathaat, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

Pletcher will be stabled in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs.

The post Mandaloun, Helium Breeze At Churchill Downs; Pletcher Squad Due To Arrive Sunday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post