Mike Smith | Horse Racing Free Tips

Keeneland and Maker’s Mark Team up to Help Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Keeneland and Maker’s Mark have announced the 2020 Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle, with all proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), an independent charitable organization that provides financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained debilitating on-track injuries.

Each Maker’s Mark bottle has been signed by the five leading active stakes-winning riders at Keeneland–Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Mike Smith–in addition to Maker’s Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels and Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason.

The bottle goes on sale July 3 in limited quantities around Kentucky.

“Jockeys are truly some of the best athletes in the world and put their lives on the line every time they mount a horse,” PDJF President Nancy LaSala said. “Because of this, we’re so thrilled that two of Kentucky’s great institutions–Keeneland and Maker’s Mark–have come together in such a creative way to help disabled jockeys who can ride no more.”

“I’ve been involved with several Keeneland and Maker’s Mark bottles that raise funds for worthy causes,” Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith said. “But this one really is where my heart is. Autographing a bottle is such a simple thing to do, and it’s great knowing that I’m playing a small role in helping other riders whose careers were cut short.”

Keeneland and Maker’s Mark formed a partnership in 1997 to create commemorative bottles each year for charitable organizations.

“We are always gratified by the enthusiastic public response to the Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle, and we are so pleased sales this year will benefit the critical work of the PDJF,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said.

The post Keeneland and Maker’s Mark Team up to Help Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Keeneland, Maker’s Mark Team Up To Support Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Keeneland and Maker's Mark® have a rich history of working hand-in-hand to benefit the community and the horse industry. This year is no exception as the two iconic Kentucky brands today announced the 2020 Maker's Mark® commemorative bottle, with all proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), an independent charitable organization that provides financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained debilitating on-track injuries.

Each Maker's Mark bottle has been signed in advance by the five leading active stakes-winning riders at Keeneland – Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Mike Smith – in addition to Maker's Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels and Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason.

The bottle's design features black wax on the top and neck, a green wax Keeneland seal on the front and a gold label featuring an illustration of a jockey in white and red silks aboard a Thoroughbred racehorse. The illustration is the work of Louisville artist Jeaneen Barnhart, renowned for a large portfolio of equine art that includes several posters for the Kentucky Derby Festival which she designed with her twin sister, Doreen.

Certain to become a collector's item, the bottle goes on sale July 3 in limited quantities around Kentucky.

“Jockeys are truly some of the best athletes in the world and put their lives on the line every time they mount a horse,” says PDJF President Nancy LaSala. “Because of this, we're so thrilled that two of Kentucky's great institutions – Keeneland and Maker's Mark – have come together in such a creative way to help disabled jockeys who can ride no more.”

“I've been involved with several Keeneland and Maker's Mark bottles that raise funds for worthy causes,” says Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. “But this one really is where my heart is. Autographing a bottle is such a simple thing to do, and it's great knowing that I'm playing a small role in helping other riders whose careers were cut short.”

“The people in the horse industry of Central Kentucky have played a big role in the history of Maker's Mark,” says Rob Samuels, who is an eighth-generation whisky maker. “When my grandfather started Maker's back in the 1950s, the horsemen supported him and helped spread the word that his bourbon was worth sharing. So, we're honored to share something back in a meaningful way.”

Keeneland and Maker's Mark formed a partnership in 1997 to create commemorative bottles each year for charitable organizations. Proceeds from the sales of previous commemorative bottles have raised millions to benefit everything from academic tutoring for student athletes to arts programs across the state to nonprofit organizations in the Thoroughbred industry.

“We are always gratified by the enthusiastic public response to the Maker's Mark commemorative bottle, and we are so pleased sales this year will benefit the critical work of the PDJF,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We thank our longstanding partner, Maker's Mark, and Julien, Robby, John, Javier and Mike for their strong support.”

The post Keeneland, Maker’s Mark Team Up To Support Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

‘Just An Amazing Mare,’ Midnight Bisou Wins Fleur De Lis In A Laugher

Midnight Bisou, the 2019 Champion Older Dirt Female by Midnight Lute, proved her class was undeniable when she powered past speedy pacesetter and last year's Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress leaving the far turn and easily drew away in the stretch for a widening 8 1/4-length win over Motion Emotion in Saturday's 45^th running of the $200,000 Fleur de Lis (Grade II) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Under the care of Hall of Fame duo trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Mike Smith, Midnight Bisou ran 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48.99. By winning the Fleur de Lis, she secured a “Win and You're In” berth to the $2-million Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland. But will she run in the Distaff or Breeders' Cup Classic against open company?

Earlier this year on Feb. 29, Midnight Bisou was beaten just three-quarters of a length by Maximum Security in the inaugural $20-million Saudi Cup, which featured a field of 14 at 1 1/8 miles in the world's richest horse race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

“She's a really special mare,” said Asmussen, who won four races Saturday to take a 746-to-742 lead over Dale Romans for most wins by a trainer at Churchill Downs in the track's storied history. “To come back, in that sort of style, is just tremendous. She has such an amazing talent and such a great relationship with Mike. She beat a wonderful-looking group of mares. We have nothing but respect towards them.”

Serengeti Empress, as expected, dictated the pace in the field of seven fillies and mares through swift fractions of :23.18, :46.15 and 1:09.74. She widened to a three-length advantage nearing the far turn but champion Midnight Bisou had her in sight throughout. The winner began to move near the five-sixteenths pole with a three-wide move, easily took command at the top of the lane and drew off in the stretch under a complete hand ride.

“She's just an amazing mare,” Smith said. “I actually had took the lead a little before I wanted to. We were planning on laying a little bit closer but the way Serengeti Empress was winging it on the front end we were a little further back. She's just incredibly special.”

Midnight Bisou, the 1-2 favorite in the wagering, paid $3, $2.60 and $2.10. Motion Emotion, with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard, paid $10.20 and $5.20. Another Broad, ridden by John Velazquez. finished third another 1 ½ lengths back of the runner-up and returned $5.

Serengeti Empress, Red Dane (ITY), Go Google Yourself and Chocolate Kisses rounded out the field.

Midnight Bisou improved her record to 21-13-5-3 boosting her career earnings of a whopping $7,371,520. She was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds.

The post ‘Just An Amazing Mare,’ Midnight Bisou Wins Fleur De Lis In A Laugher appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Honor A.P. Performance, Prat Dominance Highlight Interrupted Santa Anita Meet

With $5,649,128 in new money wagered, Sunday's total 20 cent Rainbow Pick Six Jackpot pool reached $6,738,964, with the result being a mandatory closing day payout of $12,304.70 at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

Sunday's seventh race, the first leg of the Rainbow Pick Six, was the $150,000 Melair Stakes, which was won by Warren's Showtime, who paid $10.60 to win. Including the Melair, the Rainbow Six sequence was determined thusly: R7 #6, $10.60, R8 #10, $6.20, R9 #3, $11.60, R10 #4, $16.80, R11 #2, $3.20 and R12 #5, $25.20.

Santa Anita's 60-day Winter/Spring Meeting, which began on Dec. 28 and was closed due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic from March 27 until the track was allowed to reopen without fans on May 15, played host to a number of great performances, perhaps highlighted by Honor A.P.'s stirring victory in the Grade I Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on June 6, a performance that stamped him a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.

On the human side of things, French native Flavien Prat, 27, ran away with the jockeys' title, winning 90 races, 29 more than runner-up Abel Cedillo. Additionally, Prat, who notched his second career Winter/Spring title, dead heated with Mike Smith for most stakes wins, with 14.

In the trainers' division, Peter Miller got his first Santa Anita Winter/Spring crown, outrunning Bob Baffert, 35 to 33, while Baffert led Miller in stakes-won 10-8.

Live racing will return to Santa Anita on Friday, Sept. 11. Fans are encouraged to visit santaanita.com for updates, or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Honor A.P. Performance, Prat Dominance Highlight Interrupted Santa Anita Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post