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TAA, Centennial Farms Team Up To Recognize Grooms At Pegasus World Cup

For the fourth consecutive year, Centennial Farms sponsored the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) Best Turned Out Horse Awards during the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Card Jan. 29, 2022 at Gulfstream Park. A cash prize and TAA gift bag were given to the winning groom of the Best Turned Out for the twelve races on the card.

Representatives from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Centennial Farms selected the horse in each race that was deemed to be the best presented, and that horse's groom received a gift bag and cash prize. The TAA and Centennial Farms promoted the winners on their social media platforms, the winning groom was mentioned on the live simulcast feed, and a congratulatory ad was placed in both the Thoroughbred Daily News and BloodHorse Daily on Monday, Jan 31, 2022.

“There is nothing more gratifying than to award the unsung heroes who take care of our beloved Thoroughbred athletes,” TAA Inspection Coordinator Suzie Picou-Oldham said. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was thrilled to once again partner with 1/ST and Centennial Farms to celebrate our hardworking men and women of the backside.”

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a charity partner for the Pegasus World Cup.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Best Turned Out award recipients:

RACE 1

#9 STRIKE APPEAL

Groom: Odin Londono Jr

Trainer: Odin Londono

RACE 2

#2 MAD MOCHA

Groom: Michael Lewars

Trainer: Stuart Simon

RACE 3

#5 EARTH STRIKE (IRE)

Groom: Onildo Quevedo

Trainer: Mark Casse

RACE 4

#6 BOURBON HEIST

Groom: Robin Alvarez

Trainer: Ian Wilkes

Race 5 – LA PREVOYANTE S. (G3)

#6 BEAUTIFUL LOVER

Groom: William Aniceto

Trainer: Christophe Clement

RACE 6

#3 FANCY LIQUOR

Groom: Emilio Silva

Trainer: Mike Maker

RACE 7 – W. L. McKnight S.

# 3 FARMINGTON ROAD

Groom- Carlos Navas

Trainer: George Arnold

RACE 8 – Inside Information S.

#3 DANCE D'ORO

Groom: Jose Gonzales

Trainer: Ralph Nicks

RACE 9 – Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational S. presented by PEPSI (G3)

# 8 SUMMER IN SARATOGA

Groom: Carlos Orantes

Trainer: Joe Sharp

RACE 10 – Fred W. Hooper S. presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa

# 1 FEARLESS

Groom: Jesus Gomez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

RACE 11 – Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. presented by Baccarat

# 1 SPACE TR5AVELLER (GB)

Groom- Elmer Martinez

Trainer: Brendan Walsh

RACE 12 – Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. presented by 1/ST BET

# 9 COMMANDEER

Groom- Javier Armenta

Trainer: James Toner

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MJC, MTHA Plan To Recognize ‘Unsung Heroes’ With Daily Best Turned Out Awards

The Maryland Jockey Club is partnering with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to implement a Best Turned Out Award to honor the unsung heroes of racing, starting with the traditional Thanksgiving Day program Thursday, Nov. 25 at Laurel Park.

For each race on every live racing day, the groom of the best turned out horse will be awarded a $25 gift card and recognized on television and simulcast broadcasts and by track announcer Dave Rodman. On Thanksgiving Day, winners will be awarded a $100 gift card provided by sponsor Fidelity First.

Judges will examine the presentation and appearance of both horse and groom to determine a winner.

“Grooms have an immeasurable role in the care of these wonderful equine athletes and it's important to acknowledge this dedication. It's a fitting partnership with the Maryland Jockey Club, 1/ST Racing and the MTHA to recognize these individuals,” said Aidan Butler, 1/ST Racing COO.

“The MTHA is extremely thrilled to partner with the Maryland Jockey Club to recognize and reward the care and devotion regularly given by our horsemen to our equine athletes on a daily basis,” MTHA Executive Director David Richardson said. “We are proud to have the finest horsemen in the nation.”

Laurel's Thanksgiving Day program begins with a special first post of 11:25 a.m. and features the return of the popular family-sized pie giveaway after missing 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans will be able to choose a pumpkin or apple pie with purchase of a racing program, with a maximum of two pies per person, while supplies last. Pies will be distributed until 4:30 p.m. at the grandstand entrance.

Free donuts, coffee, cider and hot chocolate will be available at the grandstand and clubhouse entrances from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Laurel will also host a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Terrace Dining Room. To make a buffet reservation, call 301-725-0770.

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Inside The Grooming Bag: Braiding Manes At The Steve Asmussen Barn

The horses that run for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen can often be seen with precisely-braided manes when they come to the paddock prior to a race.

In the inaugural installment of the Paulick Report's Inside the Grooming Bag video series, Asmussen groom Hugo Morales guides us through the process of braiding the 2-year-old colt Munny Bolt.

With 10 to 15 horses to braid per day, each requiring about 20 braids down the neck plus another for the forelock, Morales has the process whittled down to about 12 minutes from the first handful of mane to the final rubber band – a blazing fast time.

The trainer himself then describes the reasons and traditions behind why the barn's runners sport the look.

Though he describes himself as “out of practice,” Asmussen said he learned how to braid horses from his mother, trainer Marilyn Asmussen, and he carries on the practice in his own stable to honor her.

“A lot of it's trial by fire,” he said. “Some of those first braids didn't look so good, but with the volume of horses we run, you get over that in a hurry. My mom braided, she was great at it and taught me how to braid, and we went from there. We've been doing it for a long time, and I'm very proud of it; especially the reason why.”

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Letter To The Editor: Glenn Petty

I write today after reading the thoughtful letter from Jason Wilson regarding diversity in the Keeneland Sales ring.

I'm reminded of a question I first asked sometime during the early 1980's: Why aren't grooms included in the Hall of Fame? This came to mind when I noticed that a yearling my employer (EMO Stables) had pinhooked at the time–Secretary General (by Foolish Pleasure out of Sippican, by Stage Door Johnny)–was running in the first-ever Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 1984. That race was won by Chief's Crown, trained by Roger Laurin and his groom was the great Eddie Sweat, who had provided the same service for Roger's father, Lucien, and the great Secretariat.

While, owners, trainers, jockeys and, of course, horses are included in the HOF, it only seems logical that the industry should include one more very important variable in the success equation: grooms. If so, I would think rubbing a Triple Crown winner and a Breeders' Cup winner would qualify one for such and honor if presented. My guess is, on further review, that there might be other grooms with a similar entry on his/her resume.

Seems like a good step forward on diversity would be to include grooms, many of which are women, or African American or Hispanic men.

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