Tag: Gary Stevens

Ward Works Like The King On Turf As Part Of Kentucky Derby Preparations

M Racing Group's Like the King, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the all-weather surface at Turfway Park on March 27, worked six furlongs over a Keeneland turf course labeled firm in 1:16 Saturday morning in Lexington, Ky.

The work was the first of three at Keeneland that trainer Wesley Ward has scheduled for the son of Palace Malice in preparation for the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

With jockey Drayden Van Dyke aboard, Like the King started far back of workmates Outadore and After Five, passing the former and making up five lengths on the latter.

“I wanted to make sure (Like the King) got a lot out of it today,” Ward said. “Those were two good horses in front of him. Outadore was third in the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Turf-G1 Presented by Coolmore America) and After Five was second in the Futurity (G3) at Belmont. He got a good blow today.”

Ward said he told Van Dyke's agent, Gary Stevens, “that we know he likes the turf.”

“I wanted Drayden on him today because it is only his second time on him. (Like the King's) next two works will be on the main track with Julio (Garcia) with the last one on Sunday (April 25) if the weather cooperates.”

Van Dyke rode Like the King in the Jeff Ruby and is to ride the colt in the Kentucky Derby.

Like the King, who is third on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 104 points, is scheduled to ship to Churchill after his final work here and gallop over the main track there.

The post Ward Works Like The King On Turf As Part Of Kentucky Derby Preparations appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Flashback: Silver Charm Narrowly Denies Swain In Third Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup meeting celebrates its historic 25th anniversary on March 27, with six Group 1 races and three Group 2s, including one of the world's premier races, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Over the next three weeks, the Dubai Racing Club will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 1998, when Silver Charm won the Dubai World Cup title for Bob Baffert. It was the first of many successful outings in the UAE for the American trainer.

For those outside of the USA any chance of seeing a winner of any of America's Triple Crown races used to be limited to the television screen. However, all of that changed in 1996 when the Dubai World Cup created a truly viable option for owners and trainers of America's best to consider international raids.

Cigar was the leader and he paved the way for another history making event in 1998 when Silver Charm, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, made his way to Dubai.

Silver Charm's trainer Bob Baffert, who had never left the USA, was able to make the trip to the United Arab Emirates through a hastily arranged passport, to prepare his grey champion for the event.

Just when it was thought that nothing could better the inaugural victory of Cigar and then Singspiel came the epic battle of Silver Charm and Swain, and their jockeys Gary Stevens and Mick Kinane, where it appeared that honor was more valuable than the world's richest prize.

Such was the excitement of that contest that few remember who finished third. For the record books it was the French raider Loup Sauvage, who turned in a personal best.

Silver Charm returned to America with his best performances being a narrow second to Awesome Again (with Swain just behind him in third) in the Breeders' Cup Classic before a win in the Grade 2 Clark Handicap. He returned the following year to win the Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap, was third in the Donn and Santa Anita Handicaps before returning to defend his Dubai World Cup crown.

He couldn't repeat his heroics of 12 months previously and was beaten a long way from home when only sixth behind Almutawakel. He was retired after his next start when unplaced in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. Silver Charm was one of the narrowest winners of the Dubai World Cup, however that was his usual method of success, never actually winning his races by big margins, but in winning the Dubai World Cup he defeated a champion in Swain and must be rated as one of the race's very best winners.

The post Flashback: Silver Charm Narrowly Denies Swain In Third Dubai World Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Scott Stevens Retires

Veteran jockey Scott Stevens, one of only 35 riders in history to win in excess of 5,000 races, has announced his retirement after beining involved in a Feb. 24 spill at Turf Paradise. Stevens, 60, is the older brother of Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens.

“He had an unbelievable career and he is my hero,” Gary Stevens wrote on Twitter.

Stevens went down in a turf race after another horse came over on him shortly after the start. He broke two vertebrae and his ribs as a result of the spill. He was told by doctors that he could ride again, but that it would take six months to a year before he would be able to return.

“I just think it's time to retire,” he said. “I have no doubt I could come back and ride, but with the risk I would be taking with an injury like this, it wouldn't be worth it. It's been a great career.”

Stevens broke in in 1976, accepting his first mount as a 15-year-old at Les Bois Park in his native Idaho. Over the years, he established himself as the top rider at Turf Paradise and one of the top riders at Canterbury Downs. He won nine titles at Turf Paradise and three at Canterbury.

When asked what he is most proud of when it comes to his career, he said, “That I was able to do it for so long. I know I didn't always do it at the top tracks, but wherever I rode, I was successful. A lot had to do with my agent and a lot had to do with the owners and trainers who had faith in me and put me on good horses. That made it fun.”

In 2019, he was honored with the George Woolf Award, which is given annually at Santa Anita to a jockey who demonstrates high standards of professional and personal conduct both on and off the track.

“That was really cool winning that award. It was a big thrill,” he said.

Stevens said he has yet to make any plans when it comes to his future.

“I don't know what I will do, but I am sure it will be something to do with the racetrack,” he said. “For now, I just want to get well. I can't do anything. I can't throw a frisbee to the dog. I have to stay as immobile as possible.”

According to Equibase, Stevens had 33,447 mounts and rode 5,049 winners.

“I have been very lucky and I am proud of the way things went,” he said.

The post Scott Stevens Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘Tougher Than Anyone I Know’: Jockey Scott Stevens, Elder Brother To Hall Of Famer, Retires Due To Injury

Veteran reinsman Scott Stevens will retire from the saddle after an injury suffered at Turf Paradise on Feb. 24, 2021, his younger brother, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, reported via Twitter on Wednesday.

Scott Stevens was dislodged shortly after the start of the afternoon's third race at the Phoenix, Ariz. track, and suffered a broken C2 vertebrae along with other minor injuries. According to his younger brother, Stevens has feeling and no paralysis, but he will never ride competitively again.

“He is tougher than anyone I know,” wrote Gary Stevens on Twitter. “He is gonna move on and be fine. Great mentor and person.”

Like his younger brother, Scott Stevens began his Thoroughbred racing career at Les Bois Park in Idaho. His career achievements include induction into the Canterbury Downs Hall of Fame, the George Woolf Award in 2019 and nine riding titles at Turf Paradise.

The elder Stevens brother will retire with a record of 5,049 wins from over 33,000 starts, with a record dating back to 1976, according to Equibase.

Only 35 North American jockeys have reached the milestone of 5,000 wins. Stevens has ridden over 33,000 races for earnings of more than $43 million.

The post ‘Tougher Than Anyone I Know’: Jockey Scott Stevens, Elder Brother To Hall Of Famer, Retires Due To Injury appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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