Mike Smith | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hot Rod Charlie Works In Preparation For BC Classic Nov. 6

Hot Rod Charlie, who captured the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx in Bensalem, Pa., on Sept. 29 for his first Grade I victory, worked four furlongs at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., this morning at 7:45 as he prepares for the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., on Nov. 6.

With Mike Smith filling in for regular rider Flavien Prat, the son of Oxbow breezed wearing “a little set of French blinkers,” Doug O'Neill said.

“He went a half-mile in 48 and change and galloped out in 1:01 and three (fifths),” the trainer added. “He looked good. It was his first piece of exercise since the Pennsylvania Derby win.

“If all goes well and he stays injury-free, he'll have three more works between now and Nov. 6.

“More than likely, he'll wear a set of French blinkers in the Classic, but we haven't made that official yet.”

French blinkers are used to reduce a small portion of a horse's usual field of vision.

With committed front-runners Knicks Go, Medina Spirit, and Art Collector ticketed for the Classic, it could set up well for Hot Rod Charlie, who has been in close attendance to the pace in each of his 11 races.

“We've got options,” O'Neill said. “He's shown he can win on the front or from sitting behind, so I like where we're at. He's definitely a versatile colt.

“We'll probably have two more works at Santa Anita and head to Del Mar on the 25th where he'll have his last work.”

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TVG Telethon Benefitting PDJF Returns Oct. 17

Hall of Fame jockeys, TVG's on-air talent and other prominent racing personalities will once again take to the phones on Sunday, Oct. 17 as TVG and The Jockeys Guild host the third annual telethon to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).

The event, canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, raised $330,000 in 2019, an increase of more than $100,000 over the inaugural event in 2018. Fan favorite jockeys of today and years past will be on hand live at call centers in California and Kentucky from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. Throughout the day, TVG will be connecting with personalities and horsemen who have been involved with the PDJF's work in support of jockeys who have suffered serious on-track injuries.

“We sincerely appreciate the support of TVG and FanDuel to help raise critical funds for the PDJF through the telethon. Many jockeys will be taking part in the telethon by answering the phones when fans call in to make a donation. This telethon will help in providing the monthly monetary assistance to riders whose lives have been forever changed by a catastrophic on-track accident,” said Jockeys' Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks.

Mike Smith will be joined by Gary Stevens, Kent Desormeaux, Chris McCarron, Pat Day, Sandy Hawley, Laffit Pincay Jr, Alex Solis, Jean Cruguet, Mike Manganello, Shane Sellers, Darrel McHargue, Mickey Solomone and others who will be on hand to participate in the 2021 Telethon. Also on the call will be leading jockeys riding at Keeneland and Santa Anita that day.

“On behalf of the PDJF Board of Directors, we are grateful to have this opportunity as the PDJF's mission would not be possible if not for these types of fundraising efforts and the support of the racing fans,” said Nancy LaSala, PDJF President. “We want to thank TVG and FanDuel, the Jockeys Guild, horse owners, Hall of Fame jockeys, jockeys from around the country as well as our industry partners who support PDJF.”

“We are proud to work alongside the Guild to support the PDJF in its mission to provide care and resources to injured riders,” said Kevin Grigsby, TVG executive producer. “We hope that our telethon is able to continue to raise awareness for the incredible risk jockeys in the United States undertake every day.

Fans are encouraged to donate by calling 1-844-TVG-PDJF or through the PDJF website.

The PDJF is a registered 501(c)3 charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered on-track injuries. Since its foundation in 2006, PDJF has disbursed over $11 million to support disabled jockeys, the organization is 100% reliant on charitable donations.

When: Sunday, October 17th, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: TVG, TVG.com

Who: Mike Smith, Gary Stevens, Kent Desormeaux, Chris McCarron, Pat Day, Sandy Hawley, Laffit Pincay Jr, Alex Solis, Jean Cruguet, Mike Manganello, Shane Sellers, Darrel McHargue, Mickey Solomone and more

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Live Telethon to Benefit PDJF Returns to TVG Oct. 17

Hall of Fame jockeys, TVG's on-air talent and other prominent racing personalities will once again take to the phones Sunday, Oct. 17 as TVG and The Jockeys Guild host the third annual telethon to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).

Fans are encouraged to donate by calling 1-844-TVG-PDJF or through the PDJF website.

The post Live Telethon to Benefit PDJF Returns to TVG Oct. 17 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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$1.5 Million Quality Road Colt Corniche Wires American Pharoah Field

A $1.5 million sales purchase in April, Speedway Stables' Corniche ran like it on Friday at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., as he dictated terms throughout under Mike Smith to register an emphatic 3 ¼-length victory in Santa Anita's Grade 1, $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes. With Bob Baffert picking up his record 10th American Pharoah win, Corniche ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.75.

A Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” Challenge Race qualifier, Corniche, a Kentucky-bred colt by Quality Road, now has a fees-paid berth into the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 5 at Del Mar.

Breaking from the rail in a field of seven, Corniche, who came off a scintillating first-out maiden score going 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 4 at Del Mar, was pressed by stablemate Rockefeller to the quarter pole, dispatched of him turning for home and won in-hand in a very impressive effort.

“There's just so much upside to this horse,” said Smith. “This is what's really exciting about him. When he broke his maiden as impressive as he did, he just gave me that feeling that we weren't even close to his full potential. … He's a big colt and he carries a lot of flesh. As he starts to get even fitter and harder inside, he's gonna be a force to reckon with.”

The 2-5 favorite, Corniche paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10.

Owned by Peter Fluor's Speedway Stables, LLC, Corniche, who is out of the Najran mare Wasted Tears, picked up $180,000 for his efforts, increasing his earnings to $222,000. Bred in Kentucky by Bart Evans and Stonehaven Steadings, Corniche was a $385,000 buyback at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, then was offered by De Meric Sales at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training, where he brought a final bid of $1.5 million.

“You never know until you send them two turns whether they'll be able to handle it or not, and it looked like he handled it pretty well,” said Baffert. “He's got a great mind, so I'm pretty happy about that. I loved how they both broke well and were forwardly placed, that's where we like to be. Down the backside, he was being chased by a really good horse (Rockefeller, who checked fourth)…”

When asked about the issue of Corniche not receiving what was to have been 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points due to the fact Churchill downs has issued an edict precluding any of Baffert's Derby prospects from earning said points, he responded, “We're just going to let the process play itself out and not think about that now. The main thing is to keep them healthy and have them ready for the next dance. I just focus on these horses day in and day out…”

Pappacap, who overtook Rockefeller at the top of the lane, finished well to be second under Joe Bravo and paid $6.80 and $4.20 while off at 13-1.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, early trailer Oviatt Class finished a half length back in third and paid $3.00 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.55, 47.26, 1:11.91 and 1:37.85.

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