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‘Rising Star’ Chris Griffin Named New Track Announcer At Parx

Chris Griffin has been named as the new voice of Parx Racing. Following the retirement of venerable announcer Keith Jones in December, Parx launched an extensive search for their next track announcer.

“Keith was here for thirty-four years,” said Joe Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for Parx Racing. “This was a new process for all of us. Chris is a rising star in our industry with a tremendous work ethic. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Parx family.”

“This is my opportunity to enter a booth that saw a legend like Keith Jones call for so many years,” Griffin commented. “I am grateful to the management at Parx for this incredible opportunity. Being able to call two million dollar races as well as several other graded races is very exciting.”

A native of Santa Monica, California, Griffin got his start as an announcer for the National Hot Rod Association. After four years of traveling the country, Chris expanded his travels internationally as the full time announcer for the Harlem Globetrotters.

While at a tour stop in Little Rock, Arkansas, Griffin's talent captured the attention of veteran race caller Frank Mirahmadi, who was calling the races at Oaklawn Park. Mirahmadi mentored Griffin and helped secure him his first full time racing job at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale in 2015. He ended up calling races at the various California fair meets, Portland Meadows, Los Alamitos and Gulfstream Park West. In the fall of 2018 Griffin was named the track announcer at Sam Houston while pulling double duty as Marketing Manager.

“I appreciated my time at Sam Houston Race Park, as well as the Northern California Fairs, and other racetracks who have treated me so well.” Griffin reflected. “However, the relocation to a new region is something I am ready for. I am very excited to move to the East Coast and become the full time announcer at Parx.”

Parx Racing runs Monday thru Wednesday first with first post at 12:55pm

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Flashback: Arrogate’s ‘Secretariat’ Performance In The 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 few days, the Dubai Racing Club will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 2017 when Arrogate pulled off a thrilling win for American trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith.

Arrogate came rolling through the desert of Dubai and wowed the world with a Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) performance that will be remembered for decades to come. Owned by the iconic Juddmonte Farms, trained by America's premier classic-race conditioner Bob Baffert and ridden by the leading 'big-money rider' Mike Smith, Arrogate was not exactly a rags-to-riches story, but the gray son of Unbridled's Song's tale of accomplishing the impossible was no less incredible.

The moment the gates opened in the US $10 million affair, the 4-year-old colt's chances were all but lost when horses to the outside and inside pinched him back to last. Appearing helplessly beaten from the get-go, he spotted the field several lengths and was placed in an astern position he had never experienced. But Arrogate would not be denied. Quickly gaining composure under confident handling, the highest-rated horse in the world gradually inhaled his opponents one-by-one in dramatic, deliberate fashion.

The anticipation of the crowd grew with each horse he put away until he finally got to country-mate, subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner and American Horse of the Year Gun Runner… but the showdown lasted mere moments as Arrogate passed his chestnut rival in an instant. Forging to the front, he won comfortably in the end, blowing the proverbial roof off the gargantuan Meydan grandstand and becoming the richest racehorse to ever look through a bridle.

Trainer Bob Baffert was quoted saying: “We had not seen a performance like that since (1973 American Triple Crown winner) Secretariat.”

Previous to the Dubai World Cup, Arrogate won the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1), $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in succession. He won on the lead, stalking and coming from behind, while making countless G1 winners and numerous champions from around the globe look like ordinary horses. And he did it with style. There is only one Arrogate and on March 25, 2017, the world saw the culmination of his greatness.

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Nine Victories Net Junior Alvarado Jockey Of The Week Title

Jockey Junior Alvarado had a very good week. With two stakes wins and a total of nine victories including five on a single day, Alvarado was voted Jockey of the Week for March 15 through March 21. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Alvarado's winning week at Gulfstream Park began Thursday with a win for trainer Jose D'Angelo. On Friday's card, Alvarado collected two wins for trainers Francisco D'Angelo and Michael De Paulo.

On Saturday, Alvarado took races 3, 6 and 9 for trainers Jose D'Angelo, Mark Casse and Bill Mott. In race 10, trainer John Kimmel gave a leg up to Alvarado on Pacific Gale in the G3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes, a 6-1/2 furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. With a ground-saving ride by Alvarado, Pacific Gale won by 3-1/2 lengths.

“I rode her a couple of times at Saratoga and Belmont. We always thought she was great but for some reason we never got the best of her,” Alvarado said. “She's stepping up right now. She's at a different level right now.”

One race later, Alvarado had the mount on Warrior's Pride in the Texas Glitter Stakes for trainer Antonio Cioffi, a fellow Venezuelan. Warrior's Pride broke running and never looked back completing the five-furlong dash in :55.37 over a firm turf course.

Speaking of trainer Cioffi, one of his biggest backers since returning to Gulfstream for the first time in 12 years, Alvarado said: “He's been a great help to me since I got here from Venezuela. This win actually meant a lot to me.”

Alvarado concluded his winning week with a victory on Sunday for trainer Mark Casse.

Of his decision to ride at Gulfstream for the winter where he rode his first winner in 2007, Alvarado commented: “The support I've been receiving from the owners and trainers has been beyond what I was expecting. It's been a really amazing experience and I can't wait to come back again next winter.”

Alvarado's weekly stats were 34-9-7-3 for a winning percentage of 26.4% and total purses of $304,630.

Alvarado out-polled Florent Geroux with two stakes wins at the Fair Grounds including the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks, Flavien Prat who won the G3 Sensational Star at Santa Anita and also collected 9 wins, Joel Rosario who won the G2 Louisiana Derby and Tim Thornton who also won nine races.

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Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Owner Of Shadwell Farm, Dies At Age 75

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and owner of the global Shadwell Stud racing and breeding operation, died Wednesday at age 75, per an announcement from the farm.

He was the second son of U.A.E. prime minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the older brother of Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The heavy buying power of Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Mohammed within the Thoroughbred industry, corresponding with the rise of the U.A.E.'s global profile, has had a worldwide ripple effect, establishing their home country as a destination racing venue and their own operations as powerhouses wherever they set up for business.

Sheikh Hamdan was introduced to horse racing as a student in the United Kingdom, and he established his own racing stable in 1981.

From there, the Shadwell blue and white colors have had a presence in many of the world's top racing and breeding jurisdictions.

In the U.S., Shadwell Stable won the Eclipse Award as outstanding owner in 2007. That season was led by Hall of Famer Invasor, who won the Dubai World Cup and Grade 1 Donn Handicap that season.

However, the Shadwell operation's U.S. interests will probably be best remembered for its 2006 campaign, when Invasor secured Horse of the Year honors with victories in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Whitney Handicap, and Pimlico Special. That season also saw Sheikh Hamdan win his only U.S. classic when Jazil executed his signature closing move to win the Belmont Stakes.

In addition to Invasor's Breeders' Cup Classic, Shadwell was represented well in the Breeders' Cup by Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz and Filly and Mare Turf winner Lahudood.

Shadwell's stallion operation in Kentucky currently stands three former runners under Sheikh Hamdan's colors: Tamarkuz, and Grade 2 winners Mohaymen and Qurbaan. The operation also stands a handful of runners in regional markets. Past resident stallions of note include Invasor (who currently stands in Uruguay), Jazil, Dayjur, Sahm, and Swain.

Sheikh Hamdan's presence was also felt in a big way at North American auctions. From 2000 to 2020, Shadwell purchased 32 horses at $1 million or more at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The most expensive of that group was Moon's Whisper, a Storm Cat filly who sold for $4.4 million at the 2000 September sale. She never raced, but went on to become a black type producer for the Shadwell broodmare band.

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