Tag: Horse Racing

‘His Positivity And Humor Are Infectious’: 70-Year-Old Exercise Rider Danny Ramsey Is One Of A Kind

The 70-year-old exercise rider Danny Ramsey has the kind of infectious smile that endears him to everyone in his path. For Thoroughbred Racing Commentary contributor Patrick Gilligan, Ramsey's perennial positive attitude was a highlight during their shared tenure in the barn of trainer Kenny McPeek.

“His positivity and humor are infectious,” Gilligan wrote. “I would be leading one of his horses to the track, and he would pass riders and they would ask him how he was. 'I'm good. I'm better than good!' he would exclaim. 'If you're doing better than me I must be dead, so put me in the ground!' And he would start laughing to himself and so would I. And he said this most days, and still every day we laughed together.”

Ramsey has been employed by McPeek since 2012, and despite a suffering serious injuries in a fall last March, the veteran horseman got back to riding out in the mornings as soon as he could. Ramsey is still making people smile, too.

“Danny was the person who made me laugh again, made me start to love life again,” wrote Gilligan.

There's no higher praise than that.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.

The post ‘His Positivity And Humor Are Infectious’: 70-Year-Old Exercise Rider Danny Ramsey Is One Of A Kind appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Laurel: Spring Stakes Spectacular, Including Tesio, Pushed Back To April 24

As a result of the ongoing pause of live racing at Laurel Park through Sunday, April 4, due to the EHV-1 quarantine, the Maryland Jockey Club has pushed its Spring Stakes Spectacular program back one week to Saturday, April 24.

All seven stakes worth $750,000 in purses originally scheduled for Saturday, April 17 will be run on the new date with a similar 12:40 p.m. post time. Nominations for all stakes are due Saturday, April 3.

The Spring Stakes Spectacular is led by the $125,000 Federico Tesio for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles and the $125,000 Weber City Miss for 3-year-old fillies at about 1 1/16 miles. The Tesio is a 'Win and In' qualifier for Triple Crown-nominated horses to the 146th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 15, and the Weber City is a 'Win and In' event for the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) May 14, both at Pimlico Race Course.

Also as part of the program are the first stakes scheduled for Laurel's world-class turf course – the $100,000 Henry S. Clark for 3-year-olds and up and $100,000 Dahlia for fillies and mares 3 and older, both at 1 1/16 miles, and $100,000 King T. Leatherbury for 3-year-olds and up sprinting 5 ½ furlongs.

Rounding out the stakes program are a pair of sprints, the $100,000 Frank Y. Whiteley for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs and $100,000 Primonetta for females 3 and older going six furlongs.

The post Laurel: Spring Stakes Spectacular, Including Tesio, Pushed Back To April 24 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Keeneland Fans Can Celebrate 2021 Spring Meet At The Track And Remotely

World-class Thoroughbred racing returns to Central Kentucky for Keeneland's 2021 Spring Meet, which opens Friday, April 2 and covers 15 days through April 23. Keeneland is welcoming back a limited number of fans to the track this spring while offering multiple opportunities for people to enjoy the meet remotely through its Celebrate Keeneland Presented by Central Bank campaign.

“There are many ways – big and small – for everyone to celebrate Keeneland and take part in the fanfare and traditions they love,” Keeneland Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christa Marrillia said. “We encourage fans to make the Spring Meet a part of their lives even when they aren't going to the races. Everyone has their own Keeneland traditions: getting dressed up, making a favorite cocktail, planning a gathering with friends. We have all the tips and tools for you to celebrate Keeneland your way.”

Fans are encouraged to visit CelebrateKeeneland.com and share the creative ways they are celebrating Keeneland by tagging @Keeneland on social media and by using the hashtag #CelebrateKeeneland

Every day during the Spring Meet, races will begin at 1:05 p.m. ET. Keeneland is offering complimentary Digital Programs Presented by Baird by clicking here or through the Keeneland Race Day app available for download on your phone or tablet.

Race-day coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with “Today at Keeneland,” a 30-minute preview show with handicapping picks and discussion of horses of interest. Racing analysts Gabby Gaudet and Scott Hazelton host the program, which airs live on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Select, Facebook Live, TVG2, The CW Lexington and WKYT.com

At 1 p.m., TVG will begin its live, extensive coverage of every Keeneland race.

Thanks to the Keeneland Livestream Powered by Kentucky Utilities, fans can watch all Spring Meet races live and at no charge on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select, Keeneland's Facebook page and Keeneland's YouTube page.

The first two days of the season will offer nine stakes worth $2.5 million. The 11-race card on April 3 will feature six stakes led by two classic preps: the 97th running of the $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and the 84th running of the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1). Both races are worth 170 qualifying points, respectively, to the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve and Kentucky Oaks (G1).

On April 3, NBC Sports Network will televise the Toyota Blue Grass along with the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino from Aqueduct and Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Post time for the Toyota Blue Grass is 6:35 p.m.

Following the first two days of the Spring Meet, Keeneland will be closed for racing Easter Sunday, April 4. Racing will resume Wednesday, April 7, and will be held Wednesdays through Sundays.

Spanish-speaking Thoroughbred racing fans from across the U.S. and around the world can learn more about Keeneland racing through DRF en Espanol. Keeneland is presenting sponsor of the fully translated platform that includes articles and handicapping selections along with analysis videos featuring Keeneland racing.

Visit DRF en Espanol or follow on Twitter @DRFenEspanol and Instagram @drfenespanol for more information. Users also can sign up to receive the e-newsletter, Al dia con DRF en Espanol.

On April 10, day of the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) and Stonestreet Lexington (G3), Keeneland will hold the $3,000 Grade One Gamble handicapping contest.  Prizes include cash and as many as six berths in the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge and 10 spots in the National Horseplayers Championship.

The Grade One Gamble is open to players who use an ADW. The deadline to enter is noon on April 10. (Click here for more information and to enter.)

Special events on the schedule

Several special events are slated for the Spring Meet. The first is the April 9 College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane's End, which will be held virtually.

Students may click here to pre-register by 5 p.m. on April 9 for a chance to win one of $35,000 in scholarships or a prize package provided by a local Lexington business. Lane's End is giving two students a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship and enjoy a day at the races. Coca-Cola and Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, additional sponsors of the event, will give away a total of $25,000 in scholarships.

For the April 11 Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children's Hospital, five lucky families will have the chance to enjoy a day at the races. Kids Club Families will be emailed a registration link to enter to win the contest. Families who are not current members can sign their children up by clicking here and proceed to the contest registration.

On April 18, Keeneland will host Military Day Presented by UPS. This event will showcase a POW-MIA Chair of Honor as part of a program that brings awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5. The POW-MIA Chair of Honor will be located in the Paddock area. Keeneland will recognize and honor special guests throughout the day.

Featured Spring Meet charity

Continuing its mission to invest in the Central Kentucky community, Keeneland has designated the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden as its featured charity for the Spring Meet.

Located in Lexington's historic East End, the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden is on property owned by the legendary 19th century jockey. It is the first park in the U.S. to honor the earliest African American professional athletes: Thoroughbred jockeys. Proceeds from the sales of the 2021 commemorative Maker's Mark Bourbon® bottle in partnership with Keeneland will be earmarked for the placement of a permanent art installation by East End artist LaVon Williams and for future programming within the park.

Keeneland encourages fans to contribute to this cause by donating to bgcf.givingfuel.com/immag.

Keeneland 2021 Spring Meet at a Glance

Schedule: 15 days from April 2-23. No racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday, April 4.

First race: 1:05 p.m.

Programs: Click here for complimentary Digital Programs Presented by Baird or download them off the Keeneland Race Day app on your phone or tablet. Click here for the list of locations that are selling Keeneland programs.

Tickets: Weekday General Admission packages are still available for purchase. Visit tickets.keeneland.com to learn more. Check frequently for availability throughout the race meet.

Tours: Keeneland is offering morning tours to the public throughout the race meet. Visit keeneland.com/tours to purchase.

The Keeneland Shop: The Keeneland Shop is open to non-ticketed guests from 9-5 on Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesday-Sunday from 9-11 a.m. Ticketed patrons may shop on race days until the final race.

Morning workouts: Visitors may visit Keeneland and enjoy morning workouts daily until 10 a.m.

Featured charity: Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden

Social: Use the hashtag #CelebrateKeeneland

Websites: CelebrateKeeneland.com and Keeneland.com

The post Keeneland Fans Can Celebrate 2021 Spring Meet At The Track And Remotely appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Buck Davidson, Neil Agate, Jodie Vella-Gregory Elected To Retired Racehorse Project’s Board

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is pleased to announce the election of three new members to the board of directors: Neil Agate, Buck Davidson, and Jodie Vella-Gregory. Each has agreed to serve for a three-year term and is eligible to serve up to two terms concurrently. They replace board members Christy Clagett, Rosie Napravnik and Steuart Pittman, whose terms have expired.

Neil Agate is the founder of Four Gates, LLC, a business and technology services firm; he also serves as the President of the Maryland Horse Council and guided the organization through two major initiatives: the acquisition and management of the Equiery publication, and the formation of a safety net program for horses and owners called Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS). Neil is an avid polo player, and in 2015 was the top amateur in the Thoroughbred Makeover's polo discipline.

Buck Davidson is an international event rider and coach, having competed at the highest level all over the world and ranked in the top 10 eventing riders globally (he was ranked #1 in 2012). He has coached numerous riders to the Olympic Games and the 5* level. Buck has enjoyed success a the top levels with numerous Thoroughbreds, including one of his current mounts Jak My Style. He is the co-presenter of the RRP's annual charity golf event in Ocala, Florida and served as a clinician in an RRP Master Class.

Jodie Vella-Gregory currently works in the Office of Innovation for 1/ST Racing (formerly The Stronach Group), working in member services and hospitality, marketing, new business, community relations, and more. Previously, she worked for Breeders' Cup Limited and still contracts with them to assist in the annual event. Jodie has been instrumental in helping to expand the RRP's reach to the West Coast, which in a non-pandemic year would have included several Master Class events. She grew up riding off-track Thoroughbreds in eventing.

Agate, Davidson and Vella-Gregory join current RRP board members Carolyn Carlson (president), Sue Smith (vice president), Amanda Dabruzzo (treasurer), Carrie Brogden, Richard Lamb, Graham and Anita Motion, Pavla Nygaard, and Jen Roytz (who serves as the RRP's executive director and non-voting member of the board).

The RRP board also voted to extend the title of board member emeritus to Steuart Pittman, the organization's founder, past executive director and past board chair. Pittman, who stepped down from the executive director role within the organization in 2018 to run for political office in Anne Arundel County in Maryland, where he is currently serving his first term as County Executive. As a lifelong equestrian and skilled community organizer, Pittman created the Retired Racehorse Project in response to the growing need to reinvigorate the demand for Thoroughbreds after racing in equestrian sports. Over the past decade, Pittman has served in a variety of roles with distinction for the Retired Racehorse Project and his wealth of knowledge and experience will remain valuable to the organization.

“We're thrilled to welcome Neil Agate, Buck Davidson, and Jodie Vella-Gregory to the RRP Board,” says board chair Carolyn Karlson. “They each bring a unique background and professional experience in various parts of the racing and equestrian industries to the table, which positions the RRP to continue to meet the challenges facing Thoroughbred aftercare. I'm equally pleased to retain Steuart Pittman's involvement for the RRP's next chapter.”

The post Buck Davidson, Neil Agate, Jodie Vella-Gregory Elected To Retired Racehorse Project’s Board appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights