John Velazquez | Horse Racing Free Tips

Messier Draws Off By 15 Lengths in Robert B. Lewis Stakes

In an absolutely sensational performance, Messier served notice to the racing world that he will be a major player in any Derby, anywhere in 2022. Racing with blinkers off following a disappointing second-place finish in his most recent start, the Ontario, Canadian-bred colt by Empire Maker demolished four rivals in taking Sunday's Grade 3, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita by a stakes record 15 lengths. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden for the first time by John Velazquez, Messier got 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.89.

Breaking from the rail, Messier was able to out-foot second choice Sir London in the run to the Club House turn, and dictated terms throughout from there. A half length in front turning up the backside, Messier was pressured by both Sir London and Cabo Spirit as he raced on a long rein past the half mile pole.

Into the bridle around the far turn as Sir London fell back, Messier opened up three lengths on Cabo Spirit at the three sixteenths pole and from there, he was literally poetry in motion as a late afternoon sun highlighted his sleek bay coat in a breathtaking effort.

“The strategy worked,” said Velazquez. “I don't think the blinkers would have hurt him or made a difference. It was just the way the race set up. I'm in post one and I don't want to give the lead to them in front of me, then they slow down in front of my face and I can't get out of there, so I asked Bob, 'Bob, I'm going to come out running just to the first turn. I'm not going to chase them but I'm going to let him get his legs underneath of him.

“'If they want to want to go faster, they can go faster and I don't have to be on his mouth.' He said, 'No, do whatever you need to do.' Then he asked me what the horse needed to do and I just (said), 'I told him to GO!.'”

Second as the 1-2 favorite in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 11, Messier was off at 3-5 and paid $3.20, $2.40 and $2.10.

Owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, et al, Messier, who won the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs two starts back on Nov. 14, is now a two-time graded stakes winner and he's 5-3-2-0 overall. With the winner's share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $285,600. Out of the Smart Strike mare Checkered Past, Messier sold for $470,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling Sale in 2020.

For his part, Baffert seemed genuinely in awe of Messier's effort, which provided the embattled Hall of Fame conditioner with his fourth consecutive win in the Lewis, including last year's victory by eventual Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. Dating back to General Challenge in 1999, Baffert has won the Lewis a record 10 times.

“Jim (assistant, Barnes) had Johnny work him for me once and he gave me some good input on him,” said Baffert, whose 3-year-old filly Adare Manor took the Grade 3 Las Virgenes earlier in the day by 13 lengths. “He's maturing, I could tell today that he's growing, he's getting bigger. You could tell when I put the saddle on him. He looked incredible, he looked the part. There were some good horses in there, they were legitimate horses.”

When asked whether or not Messier would stay at home and be pointed to the Santa Anita Derby on April 9, Baffert responded, “I don't know yet. It depends on my other horses to see how (they are). We have always gone with whoever is doing well that week (and he) gets on a plane or stays here. So right now, we will just enjoy this and I'm just happy to have a horse like this in my barn.”

In a solid effort, Cabo Spirit, who had raced on grass in his last four starts and came off a win in the one mile Eddie Logan Stakes Jan. 2, finished second, seven lengths in front of Baffert's Wharton. Trained by George Papaprodromou and ridden by Victor Espinoza, Cabo Spirit was off at 18-1 and paid $7.20 and $3.60.

Wharton, who sat a perfect trip, was no match for the top two with Juan Hernandez up. Off at 4-1, he paid $2.60 to show and finished 4 ½ lengths in front of Sir London, who bobbled at the break and came up empty.

Fractions on the race were 23.24, 46.94, 1:11.32 and 1:36.32.

Live racing resumes with a nine-race card on Friday with first post time at 12:30 p.m.

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Adare Manor Wins Las Virgenes By 13 Lengths

In a near replica of her smashing maiden win, Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor crushed three rivals by 13 lengths in Sunday's Grade 3, $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by John Velazquez, Adare Manor got one mile in 1:37.11.

With longshot Gracelund Gray going to the front, Adare Manor, who was well in-hand, tracked her to the 3 ½-furlong pole and began to inch away as she quickly asserted her superiority. Turning for home, the Las Virgenes was a fait accompli, as Adare Manor opened up six widening lengths on Queen of Thorns in what developed into an equine procession.

“Today, I engaged her right from the gate and she got a little bit strong at the first turn, so I had to grab her a little bit to slow her down the first part of the race,” said Velazquez, who was aboard for a 12 length, gate to wire maiden victory at the same distance on Jan. 7. “Once we got to the half mile pole, I kind of put my hands down on her and her long stride just kept going like that.

“I just left her alone and let her get into her rhythm, and she just showed up today. I looked back a couple of times and I slowed it down. I looked up and saw they were pretty far (back) and I backed up, thinking, I should save something here although she was breathing fire up front. I didn't want to ask her down the lane and then Bob would get mad at me. I definitely wanted to save something.”

In her first stakes appearance, Adare Manor, a filly by Uncle Mo out of the Giant Gizmo mare Brooklynsway, was off at 2-5 and paid $2.80 and $2.10 with no show wagering.

“She duplicated her last race, you know, she's got that big, long stride on her,” said Baffert, who notched his record sixth win in the Las Virgenes. “I sprinted her twice and I thought she'd win each of those times and then I thought, well, she wants to go long…She's like an amazon, she's got that big, powerful (way of moving).

“She's got that big frame but she's quick. She relaxed nicely today… I think that time is pretty serious on this track. Just gotta keep 'em healthy. I've run her twice now (at the current meet), I don't want to come back too quick with her.”

Adare Manor is now 4-2-1-0 and with the winner's share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $176,600.

In what amounted to a separate race, Queen of Thorns, who was second turning for home, stayed there, finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of Miss Everything. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Queen of Thorns was off at 5-2 and paid $2.60 to place.

Fractions on the race were 22.72, 46.66, 1:11.06 and 1:23.75.

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings: Jan. 18-24, 2022

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public and where.

California
Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/21/2022

Licensee: Ricardo Ramirez, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Excessive use of riding crop

Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Ricardo Ramirez is suspended for 3 racing days (JANUARY 28, 29 and 30, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–fourth offense in the last sixty (60) days) during the sixth race at Santa Anita Park January 17, 2022. Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/22/2022

Licensee: Kyle Frey, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Reinstatement of careless riding infraction

Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of LATS Ruling #01 (December 26, 2021) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Kyle Frey is suspended for 3 racing days (February 25, 26 & 27, 2022). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/22/2022

Licensee: John Velazquez, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Reinstatement of careless riding infraction

Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of LATS Ruling #21 (January 15, 2022) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey John Velazquez is suspended for 3 racing days (February 12, 13 & 18, 2022). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/23/2022

Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey

Penalty: $500 fine

Violation: Excessive use of riding crop

Explainer: Jockey Ryan Curatolo is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–first offense within the past sixty days) during the ninth race at Santa Anita Park on January 22, 2022.

Florida

The following were presented on the Association for Racing Commissioners International's “recent rulings” website, and therefore not reported in as timely a manner as in other jurisdictions.

Track: Gulfstream Park

Date: 01/12/2022

Licensee: Tamara Lilly Levy, trainer

Penalty: Not reported

Violation: Medication overage

Explainer: Final Order # 2019-041998 – 550.2415 F.S. Violation = Phenylbutazone. “BUFFON” *** NO PENALTY IMPOSED***

Track: Gulfstream Park

Date: 01/12/2022

Licensee: Aubrey Maragh, trainer

Penalty: Not reported

Violation: Medication overage

Explainer: Consent Order issued – Case 2018-043356 – F.S. 550.2415 violation = Methocarbamol. NO PENALTY “SPIRIT LOVE”

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‘Let’s Talk’ Delves Into Jockeys’ Mental Health

Sponsored by 1/ST Racing

The TDN's 'Let's Talk'–a podcast series featuring TDN's Christina Bossinakis and TVG's on-air analyst Gabby Gaudet, offers candid discussion on personal, and sometimes difficult, topics that are often uncomfortable for many to speak about in an open forum.

The latest edition presents a trio of successful jockeys–Journeyman John Velazquez and retired Ramon Dominguez–both in the Hall of Fame–in addition to retired rider Richie Migliore, currently serving as a NYRA and FOX Sports on-air analyst.

Few will dispute the fact that jockeys are the iron warriors of horse racing. Physical danger is a very real part of the every day existence of a rider, as is the continual adversity they are forced to endure and adapt (and react) to.

“You really don't know what is going to happen,” admitted Dominguez. “It's different, perhaps for a jockey or it is magnified compared to other athletes, mostly because the athletes prepare and train for a specific game or perhaps for a season. Jockeys have a never-ending season–year-round racing. Even if you have a great business, doing well and had an amazing day, you have to turn the page. Because tomorrow, you can fall into a slump and things change. That [concern] is always in the back of your mind.”

Having faced more than his share of adversity, Migliore retired from the saddle in 2010, and Dominguez followed suit three years later after also facing a career-ending injury. Velazquez, who continues to compete at the highest level at age 51, also faced serious injury at several junctures in his career, however found himself among those fortunate to return to the saddle, time and again.

“For every jockey, for every athlete, there's a last ride, there's a last at bat, there's a last play,” said Migliore. “And if you're fortunate, you get to choose when that last ride is like Chris McCarron, Jerry Bailey and Pat Day. They accomplished amazing things and they made a decision that it was time to step away. The vast majority of riders don't get that opportunity. So, I tell young riders there will be a last ride and, hopefully, you get to choose last. But that's why you owe it to yourself to make the most out of the time you are able to ride.”

While the physical stress and adversity that riders face are well documented, the emotional difficulties that jockeys often face can be as prevalent, although not as easily observed by the masses.

“Unlike Ramon who was in the midst of his prime, I was in the back nine, the twilight of my career,” added Migliore. “Physically, I wasn't what I once was. Mentally, I could still see a race well, still had a great judge and feel of horses, but I certainly wasn't in what I would call my prime. Even though it was, admittedly, towards the end, I was 44 when the accident happened, and it still sent me into a deep, dark place. I went into a deep depression. Not originally when I first got out of the hospital, but when I was home. I didn't feel good, and I didn't care. I didn't care about horse racing or riding. Three or four months later when I started to feel better, and the reality was 'you're never going to do that again,' I really got depressed.”

It is widely understood that the challenges facing riders can be great, however, unity in racing can be equally strong, a bond reinforced by the necessity of taking care of one's own.

“It's funny because I always felt I had support,” said Velazquez. “And you always have the doubters, though. But I always focus on the people who want to give me the opportunity and forget about those, those people who doubted me from the get-go.”

And that support extends to the next generation of riders, which Velazquez admits is an important factor in keeping the playing field safe and equitable for the entire jockey colony.

“The more you teach those kids, the safer it is for you to ride,” he said. “You want to ride with the more knowledgeable rider rather than the kids that are more reckless. The ones who don't want to listen or to learn are the ones that make it scary to ride with. They want to learn the hard way. So, you have to show them the right way.”

To listen to the audio only version of 'Let's Talk,' click here. For the video version, click here.

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