Tag: Kentucky Derby

Oaks-Derby Double Nets John Velazquez Jockey Of The Week Title

Winning three Grade 1s, including the world's most recognized race, lead to Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez unanimously being named Jockey of the Week for April 26 through May 2. 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.

On a spectacular weekend of racing, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez became just the eighth jockey in history to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby in the same year. But the Grade 1 wins didn't stop there as he also won the G1 Derby City Distaff.

Velazquez's Grade 1 haul started Friday when trainer Todd Pletcher reunited Velazquez with Malathaat in the Kentucky Oaks. Off as the favorite in the field of 13, Malathaat settled in fifth position. In upper stretch, Malathaat and Search Results drew clear of their rivals and battled to the wire, with Malathaat prevailing by a neck.

“She got away from there just a bit slow, said Pletcher, “but Johnny (Velazquez) moved her up and got her in a much better position. He had to lose some ground and go wide to do it, but it was the right thing to do.”

Final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.99.

Under picture perfect skies on Saturday, trainer Bob Baffert gave Velazquez a leg up on Champion Female Sprinter, Gamine in the G1 Derby City Distaff. Velazquez took Gamine to the front and held off a late bid from Sconsin to win by 1-1/2 lengths.

“She didn't get to the break I hoped for but she bounced back really quickly and ran really easy in the early going. She showed what a champion she was and I am really proud of my filly,” said Velazquez.

Final time for the seven furlongs on a fast track was 1:21.50.

For the second year in a row, Hall of Famers Bob Baffert and John Velazquez teamed up in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby with the same result: a win in the Run for the Roses. This year, Velazquez rode the unheralded Medina Spirit, Baffert's only entry in the race. Velazquez took Medina Spirit to the lead at the start, set all the fractions and dug deep to fend off challengers, Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie and Essential Quality to win by a half-length in 2:01.2.

“You couldn't ask more of a horse. When you ride a horse like this who is competitive you can't ask for anything else,” said Velazquez who won the race for the fourth time.

Weekly stats for Velazquez were 17-4-2-4 for a 23.4 percent win rate and total purse earnings of $3,141,211 to lead all jockeys.

Velazquez out-polled fellow jockeys Manny Franco and Paco Lopez who tied for number of wins, and Florent Geroux and Flavien Prat who each won three stakes races.

The post Oaks-Derby Double Nets John Velazquez Jockey Of The Week Title appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Concert Tour Confirmed for Preakness

Bob Baffert confirmed to the Maryland Jockey Club press department Tuesday that 'TDN Rising Star' Concert Tour (Street Sense) will contest next Saturday's GI Preakness S., taking on GI Kentucky Derby-winning stablemate Medina Spirit (Protonico).

“We figure, this is the race,” Baffert said. “The Derby is run. A lot of horses, they went through a lot to get here. He's sort of a fresh horse. In the Rebel, he looked so good.”

Gary and Mary West homebred Concert Tour began his career three-for-three, taking Santa Anita's GII San Vicente S. Feb. 6 before stretching out effectively to romp in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Mar. 13. One of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby after that, he disappointed at short odds when third in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 10 and was subsequently removed from Derby consideration.

Baffert said after taking Concert Tour off the Derby trail that the Preakness would likely be the target, and that decision was firmed up after the bay breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 (5/16) under the Twin Spires Sunday morning.

“[Gary West] asked me, 'Did he work well enough to run in the Preakness?'” Baffert said. “I said, 'Yes, he did. He worked well.'”

Baffert continued, “That's why they are in the business and that's why they want to try for it. If you can run in the Preakness and win the Preakness, it's a very exciting race.”

He added, “Let's see how good he is. Maybe he's good or maybe not as good as we thought he was. We're going to find out next week.”

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Cox Confirms Essential Quality Will Skip Preakness, Point To Belmont Stakes

Reigning champion trainer Brad Cox told Steve Byk this morning that Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Essential Quality will not return in the Preakness Stakes, but would instead come back in five weeks for the Belmont.

The 3-year-old son of Tapit was undefeated prior to his run on the first Saturday in May, winning the G1 Breeders' Futurity, G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, G3 Southwest Stakes, and G2 Blue Grass. He endured a challenging trip at the start of the Kentucky Derby, rushed up into contention prior to the clubhouse turn, and ran on well to finish fourth, beaten just a length by the winner, Medina Spirit.

Final decisions have yet to be made for Cox's other two Preakness potentials, Derby runner-up Mandaloun and G1 Arkansas Derby runner-up Caddo River.

The post Cox Confirms Essential Quality Will Skip Preakness, Point To Belmont Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Letter to the Editor: In Appreciation of Mattress Mack

by Nick Tammaro

Marketing. Promotion. Advertising. Those are words that are often kicked around boardrooms and offices throughout the world. For “Mattress Mack” they are the fundamental elements of a business that has been successful for four decades. For the people whose lives he's touched, and they are innumerable, he means everything.

My personal involvement in racing is vast, but I've long considered myself a student of the game. I handicap, play the races, make speed figures, participate in contests, appear on radio and occasionally on TV.

A few weeks ago as I sat at my desk, which incidentally was delivered the same day I bought it at Gallery Furniture, I received a phone call. The man on the other end was none other than Mattress Mack. As much as my heart still flutters when Andy Beyer calls me, I was equally stunned to hear the thundering tones of a voice I'd heard for years telling me and my fellow Houstonians that he would save us money. In short order, he explained to me that he had an idea for a furniture promotion and needed some assistance.

Armed with a new task, I feverishly prepared a spreadsheet with the desired info. I honestly had no idea what a $2-3 million bet would do to the Kentucky Derby win pool. With the assistance of a far sharper compatriot, I had the information. I returned the phone call and delivered it to Mack. Days later, promos appeared on TV and radio around the nation's fourth largest city. If you spent more than $3,000 at Gallery on a mattress, you were getting a full refund if the favorite won the Derby. The promotion was ingenious. In a day and age where inventory is limited, he would not only move a desired product, but a host of new viewers were set to lock in for the greatest two minutes in sports.

As the Derby neared, we continued to talk strategy. There were moving parts that included how much liability Mack would try to cover with his wager. How and where he'd bet were discussed, and at what price might the favorite go off was a concern. Things went perfectly pre-race. Mack's four separate wagers went into the pool without having a dramatic effect on the odds. In fact, Essential Quality's odds drifted up shortly before post time.

Regardless of the outcome, the attention that the largest wager in Kentucky Derby history brought the game is significant. That attention stretches beyond the wagerer's individual interests. Since Mack's bet was made on track, Kentucky horsemen will benefit with the maximum yield possible to the purse account. The bet was discussed on social media, television, and beyond.

Mack has poured millions into advertising in racing. We have all chuckled at the frequency with which we see the name “Runhappy.” But think for a second about what that has facilitated. Race sponsorships and television broadcasts such as the fabulous “America's Day at the Races” exist, at least in part, for that reason. Mack regaled me with tales of Runhappy's career like a proud father.

Make no mistake, Mack has always “walked the walk.” His desire is for the game that he loves to flourish. He has always put his money where his mouth is and will continue to be a leading voice on wagering advancements, medication policy changes, integrity measures and more.

Houstonians will tell you that Mack is the man we rely on when we are in need. He has provided shelter and comfort from wind, rain, cold, and fire. We know that Mack loves us, as he does everyone that has crossed his path. Let us celebrate him and continue to let his voice resonate in our game. They'll never make another one like him.

Nick Tammaro is a horseplayer from Houston who became acquainted with Mattress Mack as a Gallery Furniture customer.  Upon saying the word “Runhappy” their mutual passion for racing formed an immediate bond.

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