‘Excitement Is Just Always There’: Tyler Gaffalione On Verge Of Fourth Title At Keeneland

With three days remaining in Keeneland's Fall Meet, Tyler Gaffalione is on his way to earning his fourth title as the track's leading rider. He has 24 victories, 11 more than Florent Geroux in second.

Gaffalione, 27, relishes the experience of competing at Keeneland, where he first won a race during the 2016 Fall Meet and topped the rider standings for the 2018 Fall Meet, 2020 Summer Meet and 2020 Fall Meet.

“There's just so much history here,” Gaffalione said. “The feeling you get when walking on the grounds is like nothing else. With all the colors and the people, it made my first win here very special. It could be a claiming race on a Wednesday, and that excitement is just always there.”

Gaffalione grew up in Ocala, Florida, and followed in the footsteps of his father, Steve Gaffalione, and grandfather, Robert Gaffalione, as a jockey. Immersed in the horse industry at a young age, he received a pony for his fourth birthday. He competed in barrel racing until he was old enough to start exercising racehorses. He began his career as a jockey in 2014 at Gulfstream Park and received the 2015 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice.

Through Oct. 27, Gaffalione has ridden 1,670 winners and the earners of more than $82 million. He rode War of Will to win the 2019 Preakness (G1). His other riding accomplishments include rider titles at Gulfstream and Churchill Downs.

“I've just been so blessed along the way,” Gaffalione said. “I have great support from trainers and owners and all of the horsemen. I don't really even know how to describe it, it's just really exciting.”

In the closing days of Keeneland's Fall Meet, Gaffalione is preparing for the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

“You always go in there thinking you have a good chance, but I would say this year is my strongest,” Gaffalione, who has ridden in 28 Breeders' Cup races since 2016. “I've got a couple of nice young horses, and I'm really looking forward to these races.”

The post ‘Excitement Is Just Always There’: Tyler Gaffalione On Verge Of Fourth Title At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Chris Husbands, Julie Mathes Take Leading Rider, Trainer Titles At Fort Erie Race Track

The falling rain could not keep the fans away on closing day of the 2021 racing season at Fort Erie Race Track. However, for the safety of both horses and riders, the 39th and final day of the meet was cut short due to inclement weather.

“Unfortunately, due to the continuous rainfall throughout the day we could not carry out the remainder of the card,” said Drew Cady, the general manager for the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC). “Despite our shortened card today, we still had a tremendous season, one in which we were able to welcome back fans who missed out on the 2020 racing season due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

The leading rider at this year's meet, Chris Husbands scored 52 wins during the 124th racing season at the border oval. Some of those victories included back-to-back wins with Fort fan-favourite Pepperoni (Jul. 26 /Aug. 31) as well as Wheat King (Jun. 22/29). Husbands also rode Red Equinox to victory in the Rondeau Bay Stakes on Prince of Wales Day, Sept. 14.

“I had a really good start and I just continued on that momentum. I was blessed to ride good horses. The owners and trainers gave me good horses, which I really appreciated. Thanks to all the owners and trainers who gave me a shot and the opportunity,” said Husbands.

Trainer Julie Mathes secured the title of leading trainer for a second year in a row. During the 2021 season, Mathes won 23 races. On yesterday's card she secured a victory with Team Win (in race nine) with jockey Omar Moreno aboard. In 2020, Mathes secured 29 wins. Bruno Schickedanz secured 16 wins, giving him the title of top owner at the border oval this year.

While yesterday's ten-race card saw over a million in wagering, the shortened card on Tuesday saw close to $400,000 in wagering. In total, Fort Erie had $28.6 million in wagering for 2021.

With this racing season in the books, the border oval looks ahead to next year's meet and has applied for 40 race days, operating on mostly Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning May 31 through to October 18.

For more information about Fort Erie Race Track, visit www.forterieracing.com.

The post Chris Husbands, Julie Mathes Take Leading Rider, Trainer Titles At Fort Erie Race Track appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Oisin Murphy Named Britain’s Champion Jockey For Third Straight Year

Oisin Murphy was crowned Britain's Champion Jockey for the third year in a row at Ascot this weekend. The 26-year-old has racked up 153 wins since the championship started at Newmarket on May 1, two more than his closest pursuer William Buick who threw down a strong challenge in the closing weeks of the season.

Murphy, who is retained by Qatar Racing, is the third jockey this century to claim three consecutive titles, following fellow Irishmen Richard Hughes (2012-2014) and Kieren Fallon (2001-2003).

Murphy was able to bring home the championship despite serving a three-month suspension this year after testing positive for cocaine in July of 2020. He was also taken off his mounts earlier this month when he failed a breath test.

Highlights for Murphy this season have centered around star filly Alcohol Free. The duo captured the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Murphy was Top Jockey for the first time, before overcoming all-aged opposition in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Murphy said: “I am over the moon and thrilled to get it across the line. Thank you to my family and everyone – I've got a massive support group.

“The last week I've had a lot of people on my side. Frankie Dettori has been there every day making sure my spirits are up and I was riding off instinct as normal which is key.

“You need to make every ride count and I was running out of opportunities. I held it together thankfully in the end.

“I think everyone knows that I am human and quite honest. But I need to do better and I don't want any issues surrounding my career. Let's just focus on riding winners and hopefully winning another jockeys' championship.

“I'm 26-years-old so I think I will keep trying for a few more years. Horses are my life and I'm never happier than when I'm on the back of a horse. I've bought my showjumpers and they keep me busy too.

“Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing have a few horses to go to America for the Breeders' Cup. There are lots of international races in Hong Kong and Japan coming up so I will be busy.

“William [Buick] was getting a lot more support than I was in the last couple of weeks and the likes of Ed Walker, Hughie Morrison, Andrew Balding and Saeed bin Suroor have been amazing, so thanks to them.”

The post Oisin Murphy Named Britain’s Champion Jockey For Third Straight Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Louisiana Downs: Carlos Lozada Earns Second Leading Rider Title, Shane Wilson Tops Trainer’s Standings

The 2021 Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs concluded on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The meet leaders, jockey Carlos Lozada, trainer Shane Wilson and owner Wayne T. Davis were honored for their accomplishments on the final afternoon of the 84-day meet, which began on Saturday, May 1.

Carlos Lozada who won his first title here in 2019, clinched top honors once again. He has been dominant throughout the meet, topping a very competitive jockey colony and holding off 2020 leading rider Joel Dominguez by four wins.

The 36-year-old native of Puerto Rico began riding in the United States in 2007 after attending Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders, including Irad Ortiz, Jr, Jose Ortiz as well as 2018 Louisiana Downs top-ranked rider, Emanuel Nieves.

Lozada, won races for a variety of trainers including Joey Foster, Karl Broberg, Tim Dixon, Al Cates and Justin Jeansonne. He was named on 391 mounts, with a record of 84 wins, 76 seconds, 60 thirds and purses of $1,053,720.

Winning his second leading rider title Louisiana Downs meant a great deal to the devoted family man, supported by his wife, Eileen Quinones and their three sons: Anthony, who celebrated his 17th birthday on September 21; Jean Carlos and Jandriel.

“I thank my family, my agent Ronald Ardoin and each of the owners and trainers who supported me this season,” said Lozada. “Louisiana Downs has been a very good track for me; I really enjoy the daytime schedule!”

Lozada plans to winter in Tampa and ride next at Tampa Bay Downs before returning to Louisiana Downs next May.

Joel Dominguez finished second with 80 trips to the winner's circle, edging Lozada slightly in purses, with mounts earning $1,057,585. Emanuel Nieves finished the meet well, winning 72 races and Juan P. Vargas was fourth in the standings with 70 trips to the winner's circle.

[Story Continues Below]

In his second year of running a barn at Louisiana Downs, Shane Wilson topped his fellow conditioners with 55 victories.

The Haughton, Louisiana resident won 32 races last year and credited David Heitzmann, Louisiana Downs Director of Racing, for initiating a plan for the 2020 live racing season before any other racetrack.

“David helped the horsemen with the uncertainty of COVID-19 last year,” said Wilson. “Louisiana Downs has great racing surfaces and the location works for shipping to Dallas and Hot Springs.”

His success in 2020 propelled Wilson to formulate a plan for the 2021 live racing season.

“Returning this year, I claimed horses for my leading client, Wayne T. Davis and several other owners. We had a plan and it came together very well.”

His top claimer is Emerald Forest who Wilson convinced Davis to take from Joe Sharp for $15,000 last February at Fair Grounds. It was one of Wilson's toughest conversations as Davis countered the suggestion with: “You want me to spend $15,000 on a horse that lost by 31 lengths?”

Wilson was strongly convinced that the 3-year-old gelding by Gemologist was not suited for the turf and would fare better on the main track.

And boy, was he right! He won a maiden special weight on April 6, and captured three of his four starts at Louisiana Downs. On July 13, he set a new seven-furlong track record of 1:21.07, drawing off to a ten-length victory under Jose Guerrero.

“We're going to try the big boys at Churchill Downs next,” said Wilson.

Both Guerrero and Alexander Castillo have ridden well for Wilson this season at Louisiana Downs.

“I took a long look at the jockey colony and liked the fact that both Alexander Castillo and Jose Guerrero finished in the top five,” he explained. “These guys try hard on each mount and won some races at big prices. I worked with their agent, Steve Melancon, and decided to give them a chance. They have worked hard for us and I believe in loyalty.”

Wilson played football and basketball in high school and college and developed a fierce competitive drive, which fuels him to this day.

“I wasn't the best athlete, but beat better by being prepared,” he said. “I never accepted I was going to lose until the game was over!”

It's a family affair at the Wilson barn, with his wife Becky and younger son, Connor, sharing in the key duties.

“I don't hunt, fish or play golf,” stated Wilson. “It's all about the horses and thankfully, Becky, Connor and my oldest son, Peyton, understand that!”

Joey Foster, who has won the trainer title three times, finished second with 40 wins. Joe Duhon followed with 33 victories and Karl Broberg rounded out the top four with 30 wins.

The leading owner of the meet is Wayne T. Davis who topped the standings with 25 victories. The 92-year-old Louisiana businessman has been an owner for over 20 years and he and Wilson have teamed with a wide range of Thoroughbreds; their most successful to date is Grade 3 winner Mocito Rojo.

End Zone Athletics, Inc., who took the owner title in 2019 and 2020, finished second. The highly successful partnership of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson won 20 races this meet. Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. was third in the standings with 18 wins and Justin Jeansonne had 11 victories to finish fourth.

The post Louisiana Downs: Carlos Lozada Earns Second Leading Rider Title, Shane Wilson Tops Trainer’s Standings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights