A nine-race card awaited fans at Del Mar that Labor Day afternoon, Sept. 4, 1967, as the venue navigated through the second half of its summer meet. Over the course of those contests, a total of 86 horses would engage in competition as thousands of people watched from the grandstand. But of all the Thoroughbreds who appeared on track, one towered above everybody because of his popularity and the plethora of victories he had collected since debuting in September 1961.
Tag: Legends
Del Mar History: Victor Espinoza’s Unforgettable Seven-Win Day
When a jockey wins two races in a single afternoon, he’s enjoyed a successful day. Three wins signifies a banner afternoon and four is bound to generate buzz among racing fans and horseplayers. But how about seven wins in a single day? Only on the rarest of occasions will a jockey embark on such a memorable win streak. During the first 69 years of racing at Del Mar in California, no jockey managed to win more than six races on a single card.
Revered Race Caller Tom Durkin: A Master at His Craft
When Tom Durkin walks down Broadway in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., it is almost as if he is stepping back in time. Fans often stop him to remind him of one of his legendary race calls and to express their appreciation for his extraordinary career. Those conversations mean the world to Durkin. “You’re walking down the street and somebody stops you and has something really nice to say to you about you,” said Durkin. “I don’t know that a lot of people go through this world experiencing something like that. It’s one of the great blessings of my life.”
Racing Mourns Loss of Jerry Moss, Who Raced Hall of Famer Zenyatta
After making a fortune finding and bringing musical acts to others, Thoroughbred owner Jerry Moss chose a similar approach when he landed on one of racing’s greats in Zenyatta — opting to share her with fans at every turn. On Aug. 16 the owner who helped bring so many fans to the sport died at age 88 at his home in Bel Air, Calif., surrounded by family and friends.
