Jessica Paquette | Horse Racing Free Tips

Real Rider Cup Triples Previous Fundraising Record

Following a record-setting turnout in Lexington this past July, the 63 entered riders that have taken part in the Real Rider Cup have raised better than $160,000 this year, a number that rises to $173,000 when corporate sponsors are factored in. That amount more than triple any previous annual total for the event and brings the total raised since the inception of the Real Rider Cup to $410,000 raised for Thoroughbred aftercare.

“It's been an honor to have been a beneficiary of the Real Rider Cup since the beginning,” said Retired Racehorse Project executive director, Kirsten Green. “Aftercare is a critical stage in a racehorse's life, one that is made successful by many different types of organizations working synergistically towards the same result. [Event creator] Anita [Motion]'s selection of beneficiaries recognizes the essential need to fund aftercare organizations who serve the horses in a variety of ways.”

The Real Rider Cup returned to Fair Hill Friday with 32 horse and rider combinations along with hundreds of spectators. The Real Rider Cup brings together personalities from across the racing and breeding industry to increase awareness for and raise funds for aftercare. Each participant pledges to raise at least $1,000.

Riders, mounted on off-the-track Thoroughbreds and wearing the silks of their employers, colleagues, and clients contended a winding course of fences with the fastest clear rounds taking home top honors. Connections and institutions represented included Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Maryland Jockey Club, 1/ST Racing, Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, Equine Veterinary Care, Country Life Farm, Hillwood Stables/Rodney Jenkins, Whitney Stables, and more. Noteworthy horses included Henry S. Clark Stakes winner Talk Show Man, who was ridden by both Maggie (Wolfendale) Morley and Penelope Miller, who once again faced off against on-track rival, back-to-back winner of the Maryland Million Turf Stakes Phlash Phelps, who was piloted by his long-time exercise rider Sabrina Morris. Multiple graded stakes placer turned event horse Adirondack King was ridden by Keira Nygaard. Additional black-type runners included Flash McCaul, Virginia Peach, Grandiflora, and hard-knocking campaigner Greek God, piloted by Maryland Jockey Club outrider Kaymarie Kreidel. The field also included 11 Thoroughbred Makeover graduates. Handicapper Jessica Paquette served as emcee, providing color commentary.

Individual results: win–Cassie Lively on Quite a Journey; place–Chelsea Buttermore on Fantastic Omen, and individual place rider from Lexington, Keira Nygaard, returned to ride again in Fair Hill to take the show placing on Aidrondack King.

Team Results: win–Team GSVH Pony Camp (Lively, Shore, Pfeiffer), Place: Team Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center (Bellgrave, Pennington, Buttermore); show: Team Animal Kingdom (Fewster, Crowell, Chubb).

Two overall awards will be determined in the coming days: Cassie Lively and Lexington individual winner, Jesslyn Woodall will face off in a “Who Jumped It Best?” jump-off, where members of the public may vote for their favorite round through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21 to determine the overall winner of the event. Vote now at therealridercup.com/2022-real-rider-cup-champion-jump-off/.

Pledges to the Real Rider Cup can still be made by clicking here.

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Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Annual Hay Drive Underway

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has received a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation to launch the 2021 Hay Drive. Richard and Peggy Santulli will match every dollar donated to the TRF up to $60,000 for this campaign. The TRF's goal for the 2021 Hay Drive is $120,000 to cover the cost of hay for the nearly 500 former racehorses currently in their care throughout the country.

The TRF Hay Drive is one of the most important campaigns for the organization and will be conducted by direct mail, email and social media as well as one-on-one donation requests. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, now in its 38th year, is the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country and provides sanctuary to a herd of nearly 500 retired racehorses.

“Hay is the cornerstone of a horse's diet and especially so in the winter months,” said Jessica Paquette, TRF Director of Communication and Annual Fund. “With the rising cost of hay throughout the country, we are grateful for the support.”

Last year, with the help of the Santulli Family Foundation, the TRF surpassed the goal of $120,000 and the organization is hopeful that this year's response will be equally as successful.

“We are immensely grateful for the continued support from the Santulli family,” said Patricia Stickney, TRF Executive Director. “They have been longtime champions of aftercare and we hope that their generosity will inspire others to give as well.”

To give to the Hay Drive please visit the TRF giving page here: https://www.trfinc.org/haydrive/

About TRF: Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides lifelong sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime.

Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the US, including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison. The TRF Second Chances Program at the Wallkill Correctional Facility provides a home for 40 retired Thoroughbred racehorses and has been changing the lives of returning citizens for nearly forty years.

For more information visit: http://www.trfinc.org/

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Jessica Paquette To Join Parx Broadcast Team On Pennsylvania Derby Day

Racing analyst Jessica Paquette will join the Parx Racing broadcast team on Saturday, Sept. 25 to cover the star-studded Pennsylvania Derby Day card featuring the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) alongside seven additional stakes races on both turf and dirt.

“The Pennsylvania Derby is shaping up to be one of the most exciting races of the year,” said Paquette. “I am thrilled to come on board and can't wait to get to share the experience with fans through a great broadcast and social media.”

Paquette, a native of Massachusetts, recently finished up the summer at Colonial Downs as the paddock host and handicapper. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she previously has worked as the paddock handicapper at Suffolk Downs and as a racing analyst at Sam Houston. In June, she also took to the announcer's booth for a weekend of Quarter Horse racing at Sam Houston.

Entries will be taken for the Pennsylvania Derby Day card on Monday, Sept. 20.

“Jessica is a star and will be a tremendous addition to our coverage on PA Derby and Cotillion day” said Parx Track Announcer, Chris Griffin.

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Paquette to be On-Air Handicapper at Colonial

Jessica Paquette, long-time handicapper at Suffolk Downs and most recently Sam Houston, will make her debut at Colonial Downs this summer. She replaces Merv Huber, who is unable to travel to Colonial Downs this season, but will stay on as morning line odds maker and provide guest analysis.

“I've heard the Secretariat Turf Course is the best grass surface in the country, and it's my favorite kind of racing,” Paquette said. “Being able to talk about beautiful pedigrees on a great grass course just lights my soul on fire. Turf is a much more specific surface than dirt. Some horses will love it and some will only take to that specific course.”

Since Suffolk closed, Paquette served as on-camera handicapper for the Sam Houston Thoroughbred meet this past winter. In a Covid-pandemic environment, she performed the job remotely, from a studio she set up in her closet. And in March, she became the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Director of Communications & the Annual Fund. The position allows her to work from home in the Northern Shore of Massachusetts where she owns two off-track Thoroughbreds.

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