Billy Turner, Trainer Of Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew, Recovering From Broken Neck

Trainer Billy Turner, best known for his masterful handling of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, suffered a freak accident in April that left him in the hospital with a broken neck, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. The 80-year-old retired from racing in 2016, but was mowing around the Ocala Jockey Club in Reddick, Fla., when he ran over a branch that struck him in the back of the neck.

Once hospitalized, Turner discovered he also had prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. The hit to his head also caused a brain injury. After surgery to repair his neck and nearly two months in the hospital, Turner was finally released to head home. Doctors are focusing on the neck and brain injuries before they are able to treat the cancer.

“He's doing remarkably well and his mental state is surprisingly good,” his wife, Patti Turner, told the Thoroughbred Daily News. “His injury was way more serious than just a broken neck. He was in rehab for four, five weeks learning to walk. He had a serious injury to his brain. His brain wasn't communicating with his body for balance and he even lost his ability to swallow. He has recovered from that. He can talk and eat. We started the GoFundMe campaign because he needs serious professional nursing care in the home to get over this hump. If he can get several months of really good care we think he can move forward.”

A friend and neighbor, Rick Wallace, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Turner cover his ongoing medical expenses.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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What’s in a Name: Yuri Gagarin

In 1961, former foundryman Yuri Gagarin was the first cosmonaut to orbit the earth, and the first man in space outright, getting an early lead for the Soviets in the Race to the Moon. The name of the 4-year-old Kempton winner by Sea The Moon (Ger) out of Soviet Terms (GB) is a thoughtful and deserving one.

3rd-Kempton, ,5,400, Novice, 6-15, 3yo/up, 10f 219y (AWT), 2:21.70, st.
YURI GAGARIN (GB) (g, 4, Sea the Moon {Ger}–Soviet Terms {GB}, by Soviet Star) Sales history: 300,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $8,883.
O-Godolphin; B-Genesis Green Stud Ltd And Thurso Ltd (GB); T-John Gosden.

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Vadamos Sires First Winner in Italy

1st-Chilivani, €5,500, 6-15, Mdn, 2yo, 1200mT, 1:13.74.
SA PALA UMBROSSA (IRE) (f, 2, Vadamos {Fr}-Grain de Beaute {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}) was tabbed a slim second-favourite at 2-1 against the colts in this debut. She ran out a solid 2 3/4-length winner over fellow filly Lory di Tony (GB) (Adaay {Ire}), by a fellow first-season sire. She is the first winner for her freshman sire and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp victor (by Monsun {Ger}). Sa Pala Umbrossa is also the third foal, second to race and second winner produced by her winning dam, a half-sister to G3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner Beyond Desire (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). From the same family as European champion juvenile colt and Group 1 sire Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Italian/German highweight Pressing (Ire) (Soviet Star), she is followed by a yearling filly by Decorated Knight (GB). Sales history: €2,800 Ylg ’19 GOFOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €2,500.
O-Teresa Carta. B-Irish National Stud (Ire). T-Antonio Cottu.

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Whitney Collection Auction to Benefit Saratoga Backstretch Clinic

The Marylou Whitney Collection Auction, an online event featuring items owned by the late philanthropist, will benefit the new backstretch medical clinic operated at Saratoga Race Course by Saratoga Hospital and the Backstretch Employee Service Team.

Among the offerings up for auction are a diamond choker necklace and a pristine 1985 red Jaguar XJ6, as well as couture ensembles and cocktail dresses by Bill Blass, Arnold Scassi, and Chanel; evening purses by Judith Lieber Couture and Chanel; fur coats; hats; vintage dresses; and designer scarves by Hermes and Tiffany.

The website, www.MarylouWhitneyCollection.com, debuts Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preview only. The auction begins Monday, July 27 at midnight and continues through Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11.59 pm: Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course. Bidding and “Buy It Now” options will be available.

“As I began the difficult task of going through Marylou’s personal items at each of our homes, she seemed to speak to me,” Whitney’s husband John Hendrickson said. “No one shared her blessings and good fortune more than Marylou. No one was more dedicated to helping charities than Marylou…and so the idea was born. Her spirit of giving will live on–Marylou’s personal items are going for a greater good.”

Saratoga Hospital President and CEO, Angelo Calbone added, “Once again, Saratoga Hospital owes a debt of gratitude to Marylou–and to John, who chose us as a beneficiary of this auction. We know how much the backstretch workers meant to Marylou, and we are honored to play a key role in making sure they continue to receive the care they need and deserve.”

BEST launched the backstretch clinic in a trailer at Saratoga Race Course in 2005 and partnered with Saratoga Hospital in 2009. Since then, a team of bilingual doctors, nurses, and other Saratoga Hospital healthcare professionals have provided primary care, disease management and prevention, and other services to the backstretch community.

Paul Ruchames, executive director of BEST, expressed his appreciation.

“We were thrilled to learn that John committed to building this new, state-of-the-art facility, as a tribute to the healing spirit that Marylou exuded,” Ruchames said. “The welfare of backstretch workers was so close to her heart, and they loved her. The public’s participation in this auction will appropriately honor her legacy of kindness to everyone.”

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