“We are thrilled to welcome Joe as the new Executive Director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund,” said William J. Punk, Jr, Chairperson of the PDJF Board of Directors. “Joe has strong leadership and management skills and is dedicated to supporting the needs of disabled jockeys.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund as Executive Director and assist the organization in taking the next steps in its evolution,” said Clabes. “I look forward to working closely with Nancy, the PDJF team, our partners, and the broader horse racing community to continue the important work of providing assistance and support to our permanently disabled jockeys.”

The post PDJF Names Joe Clabes As New Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The La Salle High gymnasium will open to the public at 6 p.m. and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Admission tickets will be available on-site and a $5 donation will generate proceeds to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and Holy Angels athletics.

A distinguished group of Hall of Fame jockeys will be on-hand beginning at 6:30 p.m. to sign posters and other memorabilia courtside.

The post Santa Anita’s 54th Annual Charity Basketball Game Set for Monday, Feb. 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Gulfstream reported that Ussery, a native of Vian, Oklahoma, was in Florida at the time of his passing. His son, Robert Ussery Jr. told the Daily Racing Form that his father died earlier this week of congestive heart failure and was living in Hollywood, Florida, at the time.

Sports Illustrated called Ussery's ride aboard Proud Clarion “one of the best in Derby history.” Ussery thought he might have a good weekend in Louisville.

“I might have won it with Bally Ache in 1960, but we finished second,” he said. “Then I thought I'd win it this year with Reflected Glory. When that didn't work out, I still figured–just a hunch, I guess–that it was my year, no matter what horse I rode. I had a real hunch.”

Ussery wasted little time proving he could win at the highest levels of the sport. In his very first official mount, he rode Reticule to victory in the 1951 Thanksgiving Day H. at the Fair Grounds. But, according to a 2020 feature on Ussery on the America's Best Racing website, Ussery had been riding for years, often for trainer Tommy Oliphant in Texas, at a time when official pari-mutuel races weren't being held in Texas and racing was conducted on an unofficial grassroots basis. Dave Kindred wrote in the April 19, 1974, edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal: “At age 5 [Ussery] was first lifted onto a horse … at age 10 he rode Quarter Horses for $5 a race. At 14, he was galloping horses at Texas and Nebraska racetracks.”

Ussery spent much of the 1950's in Florida, where he was a top rider, before moving to the New York circuit. He had one of his best years in 1960 when he was the top North American rider in terms of stakes purses won. His mounts that year included 2-year-old male champion Hail To Reason and Bally Ache, who won the Preakness, Flamingo and Florida Derby.

In 1968, he was aboard Dancer's Image, who crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby but was disqualified due to a medication violation for phenylbutazone.

“Dancer's Image is a better horse,” Ussery said in the immediate aftermath of the 1968 Derby. “Proud Clarion just happened to have a day for himself. This is a real good one.”

Other notable wins for the Oklahoma native came in the Whitney H., the Alabama S., the Travers, the Hopeful, the Mother Goose, the Coaching Club American Oaks, the Carter H, the Canadian International S. and the Queens Plate S. He was a two-time winner of the Brooklyn H. and the Wood Memorial.

Ussery retired in 1974 with a record of 3,611 victories from 20,593 races. At the time he was one of only 10 jockeys to have ridden 3,000 or more winners. In 1980, the he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. In 2011, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Ussery had a unique riding style in which he would often take horse toward the outside of the track, near the crown, on the turn and before diving toward the rail. The theory was that his mounts would pick up momentum as they were essentially racing down hill. The move was dubbed “Ussery's Alley.”

After his retirement he worked as a bloodstock agent and as a jockey agent.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Ussery's memory to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund at pdjf.org.

The post Hall of Fame Jockey Bobby Ussery Passes at 88 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“This is very special to all of us,” said Leading Jockey Joe Ramos, who brought in multiple bags for the cause. “A lot of us started off with very little at Christmas, so we know that feeling. We want to give back now that we are in a position to do so. We hope it brightens the day of many kids who might not otherwise have presents for Christmas.”

The toys range in age groups from toddlers to teens for both girls and boys. The jockeys picked out some of the hottest toys on the market to ensure all kids have a nice surprise during this holiday season.

The post Indy Jockeys Donate 80 Toys For Local Community appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

According to a stewards' ruling posted Aug. 8 on the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) website, jockey John Davila, Jr., who has been riding at Finger Lakes since 1983, has been fined $500 “for riding in manner contrary to the best interest of racing” in the first race there Aug. 2.

“Any further similar conduct will result in an increased penalty,” the Finger Lakes stewards wrote in Davila's ruling.

A separate stewards' ruling, also dated Aug. 8, gave a three-day suspension to jockey Keiber Coa, a 12-year veteran, for “careless riding” in the fourth race July 31 at Finger Lakes.

Having waived his right to appeal, Coa will serve his days Aug. 15, 16, and 21.

TDN wanted to find out if Davila has appealed, and learn details about what, specifically, led to his “contrary to the best interest of racing” violation.

Brad Maione, the NYSGC's communications director, responded to a Wednesday email query about the rulings by writing back, “This is all that is publicly available.”

TDN then asked if the NYSGC could provide a stewards' report for the race dates in question, but did not receive a reply prior to deadline for this story. The website for Finger Lakes has a “Stewards' Corner” page, but the reports there have not been updated for one year, since Aug. 10, 2022.

Coa's “careless riding” violation July 31 occurred in a $10,000 claiming sprint over 5 1/2 furlongs in which he attained the lead from the rail under the 11-1 Forward Motion (Mission Impazible). Davila, riding the 9-5 favorite N Y Anthem (War Dancer), pressed the pacemaker from the outside until the top of the stretch.

At the quarter pole Coa came off the rail and edged out while appearing clear in front of Davila's mount, who was already losing touch with the leader. Coa then dropped Forward Motion back to the inside and in front of another rival, Breaking Stones (Congrats), who had to take up while Forward Motion widened to a 2 3/4-length win. The jockey on Breaking Stones claimed foul after finishing third. Davila's mount dead-heated for fourth. There was also a stewards' inquiry, but the results stood.

Davila incurred his “contrary to best interest” infraction two days later in a $28,500 NW2 allowance over 1 mile 70 yards. Riding the 8-1 Juggler (Lord Nelson) from post five, he sent his mount from the gate to contend with the 9-10 favorite Mo Trump (Mo Town), who was piloted by Coa from post six.

The Equibase chart noted that Mo Trump was “forced six wide into the first turn by Juggler,” with announcer Tony Calo commenting in his call that the favorite was “stuck out there in no-man's land.”

Equibase further noted that Davila's mount “appeared to be getting out some” on the backstretch while Coa's favorite got “carried seven wide by the latter at the half mile pole.” Mo Trump finished fifth, while Juggler ran sixth and last. There was no posted stewards' inquiry.

The post Details Scant on ‘Contrary to Best Interest’ Riding Infraction at Finger Lakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

A group of officials, trainers and jockeys went to inspect the track, and paid particular attention to the bend into the home straight. After the running of the G2 Lillie Langtry S. at 3 p.m, which took place during a torrential downpour, some jockeys were concerned regarding the state of the round course.

Ed Arkell, Goodwood's director of racing, told Racing TV, “The jockeys expressed concern after the Lillie Langtry S. that there were some areas on the bend that they weren't happy about.

“They were happy to race on the straight course, hence we ran the Stewards' Cup and then after that we've gone out to have a look and see what state the bends are in.

“There is an area of false ground on the bottom bend and unfortunately we are unable to get around it. All three of the remaining races come round the bottom bend.

“We were happy that the Stewards' Cup was fine, the issue was on the round course, not the straight course.

“Obviously none of us want to end the meeting like this, it has been a very challenging week and I'd just like to thank my groundstaff.”

Saturday's card was the fifth and final of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The post Final Three Goodwood Races Nixed As Card Abandoned Following Inspection appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Some may argue that Thoroughbred racing is a contact sport. Twelve-hundred-pound athletes running at 40 mph around an oval and navigating through holes as tight as the eye of a needle might support that reasoning. Our racing stewards are there to guard against the worst from happening and protecting the integrity and safety of the sport of Thoroughbred racing. With the eyes of a hawk, they are doing their job well from their perch atop the clubhouse. All are accredited with experience and must be commended for what they do. For example, in just 18 days of the 2023 Saratoga meeting, five jockeys have been censured for careless riding. All but one, Tyler Gaffalione, was suspended. Gaffalione appealed and had his suspension stayed.

It becomes less effective when their on-track decision making fails to be communicated to fans and players. In each of the incidents above, stewards were silent to racing constituents about why they made their decision. The reports on the New York Gaming Commission site refer to careless riding. Without the details, damage occurs. With the lack of information, the rumor germinates in social media. Thousands of fans conveniently grow their own explanations without facts and embellish the rumor. Soon the stream flows to enemies of racing and we are under attack. The last thing racing needs is the unnecessary promotion of more racing haters. Like brushfires, lies about racing and the unethical that run it and the cruel that participate in it will saturate social media. Not necessary; there are solutions.

First, each track that runs a Thoroughbred racing meet could host a symposium, virtual or live, before a meet begins where the track's stewards explain the rules that apply and how they might adjudicate an inquiry. Vignettes, real or fictional, could be used to underscore the points made. Fans and players could interact and raise questions. Such a forum would be educational. When an inquiry sign appears fans and players would better understand the stewards' thought processes as they evaluate the incident. The emotions of the pending decision would be less fueled by the loss of a wager or placement of a horse.

Second, when an inquiry is decided the stewards might immediately appear on the tote board and video feed explaining how and why in this specific case they arrived at their decision. The current approach of a flashing inquiry or objection sign followed by minutes of silence and selected replays and then the public address officer announcing, there would be “no change in the finish position” doesn't serve racing well. This model frustrates fans and players and fosters conspiracy theories and fictional explanations by anyone dissatisfied with the outcome. If there is a legitimate reason to withhold an explanation it could be offered by the stewards or their spokesperson. Fans understand the litigiousness in gambling and would accept the explanation without blame.

Finally, racing would do well to recognize the value of the millions of racing fans and players across the country. Inviting them to participate on committees or workgroups that advise racing/gaming commissions or for that matter HISA would be an initiative-taking move. In this time where transparency is a buzz word for ethical behavior more would be gained than lost by such a move.

The call to action from fans of Thoroughbred racing is “keep us in the loop.” Many of us come to this sport from professions that would benefit racing if included. Fans, if their voice is recognized and matured, could be racing's best cheerleaders.

Michael Amo

ThoroFan

Editor's Note: The Stewards' Corner section of the NYRA website has now been updated with explanations of recent decisions at Saratoga Race Course, including last Saturday's GII Jim Dandy S.

The post Letter to the Editor: ‘Fans Could be Racing’s Best Cheerleaders’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The event was organized after a similar discussion conducted in May at Keeneland shared the results of a survey of 230 jockeys that revealed that, among other findings, a third of jockeys had faced challenges in their daily lives over the past month due to feelings of sadness, anxiety and depression. The survey also reported that the jockeys' biggest pressures included making weight, the pressure to win and not making a livable wage.

The meeting at Keeneland was a wake-up call for many of its attendees, so much so for Dan Waits, the Executive Director of the Race Track Chaplaincy, that he initiated an immediate plan for all of his chaplains across the country to go through a suicide prevention training called QPR.

Waits was one of several speakers at this week's symposium in Saratoga hoping to spread awareness and make a difference in the lives of jockeys. Emceed by Donna Brothers, the event hosted nearly 100 attendees including riders like Johnny Velazquez, Javier Castellano, Junior Alvarado, Jose Ortiz, Kendrick Carmouche and Luis Saez, plus retired jockeys Angel Cordero Jr. and Ramon Dominguez.

Randy Grimes, a former NFL player and an addiction recovery advocate, was the keynote speaker while a panel featured former jockeys Richard Migliore and Eurico Da Silva and current jockey Trevor McCarthy, as well as racing analyst and podcast host Jonathon Kinchen and Dr. Yuval Neria, the co-director of the Man O'War Project–which explores the use of equine-assisted therapy to help individuals suffering from mental health problems.

Throughout the afternoon, the conversation was open and at times deeply personal as participants discussed the lives of jockeys, leading Dr. Neria to remark that he was amazed at the presenters' willingness to share and believed it to be “a moment of paradigm shift” for the sport.

Several topics regarding the difficulties athletes experience were brought up by both Grimes and the panel. Chief among those issues was the struggle to share what they were going through with others.

Grimes described how he played his last two years of professional football in a complete blackout and referenced how at the time, he believed self-medication was “a necessary evil” every athlete participated in, but that he was “suffering in silence” because his teammates never discussed exactly how they were able to push past injuries in order to remain on the playing field.

Migliore echoed a similar experience during his time riding.

“There is kind of an unspoken thing in the jocks' room–don't show weakness,” he said. “You play hurt. If you're in a slump, you don't talk about the slump because that will perpetuate the slump.”

Fellow jockey Da Silva shared how he had been ashamed to seek help when he was dealing with depression and anxiety. He began going to therapy early in his career, but when he moved his tack to Canada, he did not go to therapy for over a year because he was afraid others at the racetrack would find out about his struggles.

In his In The Money podcast, Jonathon Kinchen dedicated an episode earlier this year to discussing these challenges jockeys experience and bringing mental health problems to the limelight (find the podcast here).

“If you hear the conversation, that's when you'll start asking for help,” he said. “If someone that [a jockey] looks up to says that they struggle, then when [the jockey] struggles, they won't feel isolated and maybe they'll find the help they're looking for.”

Kinchen also addressed the negative impacts that criticism, particularly negative feedback on social media, can have on jockeys.

“The number one thing is that you're not alone,” Migliore said when prompted to give advice to the jockeys in the room. “I think all riders battle through those type of things throughout their career, but the more you isolate, in your mind the harder it is to overcome the things you're dealing with because now you're alone. The more you seal off and keep people at arm's length, the harder it's going to be to pull out of it. It doesn't make you weak for getting help or asking for help or bringing it out into the light. You're even stronger for that.”

Near the conclusion of the program, the families of two young jockeys that died earlier this year from suicide gave heartfelt messages to the program's participants. Ashley Canchari, sister of Alex Canchari who passed away in March, and Lyman and Dr. Salli Whisman, the parents of Avery Whisman who died two months earlier, both shared how it had been meaningful to listen to the panel open up about some of the struggles that their loved one had also dealt with.

Dr. Whisman talked about how, following the passing of her son, the Whisman family had posed the question of how the racing industry may have contributed to Avery's mental health issues. Months later, she received a call from Dr. Peter Hester, HISA's medical director, about how HISA was working on plans to improve upon the resources available to jockeys.

“It surprised me,” she said. “I didn't expect to hear that HISA had been working on this. Avery had been in their minds and their hearts and their eyesight and that one simple curated comment that we thought the industry needed to look at this had taken some root. There had been work done. It wasn't going to be dropped or left alone and it wasn't up to us to make sure that something was done.”

During the 'Q and A' portion of the event, attendees expressed how easy access to resources like mental health professionals and nutritionists would benefit jockeys, especially because many cannot afford these resources themselves.

HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus reported that HISA is working with the Jockeys' Guild to address these ideas.

“We have some of the initial components in place,” she said. “We want to make the commitment that there will be outcomes and there are a number of things that we are looking at around nutrition, therapy, and financial education.”

Lazarus also announced two new initiatives by HISA that are set to launch in conjunction with the Jockeys' Guild.

The first, HeadCheck Health, will provide a concussion management platform for jockeys.

“The platform is designed to improve the management and care of riders with a concussion or suspected concussion,” Lazarus explained. “HeadCheck will also provide a secure HIPAA-compliant system for jockeys to store medical records and make them easily available to physicians should an emergency arise.”

The second new initiative is a partnership with the healthcare company Novacare. Lazarus explained that HISA has been working with Novacare for the last six months to identify trained medical staff at locations closest to each racetrack to provide HISA-required healthcare services to jockeys.

“Jockeys can now go to any one of these locations, get an athlete physical and complete a concussion baseline during one appointment at a discounted price,” she reported. “Novacare has also set up a phone number for jockeys to call, in English and Spanish, that will help schedule appointments at the closest racetrack. “

The post Jockeys’ Mental Health and Wellness Symposium Held in Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Hall of Fame Jockey Sandy Hawley, who along with his wife Karou, oversaw relationships with Hall of Fame Jockeys has also resigned. Each year they arranged for some 12 to 16 Hall of Fame Jockeys to attend and honor their wheelchair bound “brothers and sisters.'”

“Barry has organizational and sales skills far beyond my gifting,” said Vice President Eddie Donnally. “We would never have had this level of success without him at the helm. He embraced the cause for aiding disabled former jockeys and for him Jockeys and Jeans was a full-time job for at least six months out of the last nine years.”

Pearl indicated he stay on as an advisor and help with the transition.

“I hope the PDJF will embrace Jockeys and Jeans and keep it going,” said Pearl. “In the last nine years, I have met so many great people, fallen riders, Hall of Fame members and folks that truly care about jockeys who are now riding wheelchairs. It's been a good run, but it's time for me to hang up my tack.”

The post Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl Retires, Sandy Hawley Resigns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“HISA is tasked with regulatory oversight for jockey welfare and we are delighted to be working collaboratively with the Jockeys' Guild to determine how we can best support the health and safety of riders, including in the critical area of mental wellness,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus.

Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of the Jockeys' Guild, added, “Jockeys' well-being, including their health and welfare, is and has been the main priority of the Jockeys' Guild since its inception in 1940. Jockeys, as well as the exercise riders and others at the racetrack, have an immense amount of pressure on them both physically and mentally. We are encouraged by the response of HISA to help us prioritize jockey and exercise rider health, and we are hopeful that we will have industry support to address these important issues for the riders and their families.”

HISA is also in the process of planning an industry stakeholders meeting, “to discuss these important issues and drive collaboration on a national level,” according to a HISA release.

The post HISA, Jockeys’ Guild Join Forces to Support Jockey Health and Mental Wellness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post