Sabalenka Volleys Trainer to Stakes Debut

Whit Beckman would be the first to admit that his stable did not get off to the remarkably-fast start he had dreamed of when he first set out on his own last fall. Going into this summer, he had just two wins on his training record. But, the pieces have fallen into place in the past two months as Beckman has sent five horses to the winner's circle, including three in just the past two weeks.

Sabalenka (Good Samaritan) leads the charge of recent winners for Beckman and now looks to add to her trainer's success as she makes her stakes debut on Friday in the GII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine S. on opening day at Keeneland.

Beckman said the juvenile filly, who was a $35,000 OBS April purchase for Legion Bloodstock, showed potential to be a turf talent from the start. She ran second in her debut at Colonial Downs in August, but followed that effort with a lucrative maiden victory at Kentucky Downs going a mile on the turf.

“That was a really tough race,” Beckman said. “She had to overcome a few things–a wide post, a wide trip, and I think that track in itself can throw a lot of horses for a loop–but ultimately, I thought it was a really professional effort and I was happy with the result. When she first came in she was solid from the get-go, but she has done everything right since then.”

Beckman said that the filly, who was bought out by partner Joe DiRico after that maiden win, is training better than ever in the past few weeks. Sabalenka's efforts in the morning were what encouraged her trainer to take on the GII Jessamine.

Sabalenka (outside) bests Safeen (War Front) in maiden win | Coady

“I don't think I would have even considered [the Jessamine] had I not thought she was going to go into it capable of showing up and putting in a good performance,” he explained. “She came out of that Kentucky Downs race a little more mature mentally. That has been my biggest thing with her. Physically, she's always been right there for us, but there have been some mental things we have had to work out early. With each race, I feel like she's picked up another little piece of it. Right now, what I see in the morning is much different than what I saw prior to the Kentucky Downs race.”

Beckman has plenty of experience working through the quirks and idiosyncrasies each horse might bring with them. The Louisville native is the son of an equine veterinarian and launched his career in the industry working for horseman Walter Bindner. From there, he spent time at Alex Rankin's Upson Downs Farm and then started 2-year-olds under David Scanlon. In between working for trainers Todd Pletcher and Eoin Harty, he spent a year as a head trainer in Saudi Arabia. Most recently, he was an assistant to Chad Brown for several years.

“I sometimes look back in disbelief that I've been able to work with such high-profile horses and be in such well-respected positions for as long as I have been,” Beckman said after zipping through his impressive resume. “I've been around a lot of really good horses and horsemen and it's been an incredible journey to get here. Ultimately this was the goal when I started on the racetrack 20-some years ago. Just to be here in this position, I'm super grateful and I'm enjoying the moment.”

Beckman said that his experience working with elite racehorses under Eclipse Award-winning trainers prepared him for going out on his own.

“I think as far as the training goes, you feel very comfortable knowing that you've seen so many good horses in so many situations and you've seen all of the approaches and adjustments that top-quality trainers are capable of making. I got such a good education and there were so many things I got to witness to give me the comfort I needed to go out and take the reins and confidently move forward.”

While the horsemanship side of the operation came easy for Beckman in those early months, he said the business side proved to require more effort. Finding the right staff, locating adequate stall space and dealing with Kentucky weather throughout the winter were all curve balls that had to be faced head on.

“There are a lot of different things that you can't really be ready for until you face them on your own,” he said. “Everyone has challenges in the beginning with any business, but it's about realizing what is an obstacle to overcome and what is an obstacle to integrate with.”

Based out of Churchill Downs, Beckman started out with just two trainees and now has a roster of 11. With several unraced juveniles looking to make their debuts in the coming months, Beckman hopes that he can continue this hot streak.

Another one of his recent winners, Music Street (Street Sense), will likely make an appearance at the end of the Keeneland meet. The 3-year-old filly owned by Kim Valerio and Prakash Sham Masand broke her maiden at Churchill Downs on Sept. 25.

“It took her a little bit to get rolling, but when she did she really ran a good race,” Beckman recalled. “Her training had reflected that ability prior to the race so I was happy to see her perform in the afternoon as she had been doing in the morning. Following the logical path, we're going to aim for an allowance at the end of the month at Keeneland.”

This Friday, Sabalenka will be Beckman's very first stakes performer. With Jose Ortiz aboard, the juvenile drew the inside post in a full field and will have to face the likes of Mike Maker's Towhead (Malibu Moon), who ran second in a photo finish in the Juvenile Fillies S., as well as a handful of promising last-out maiden winners and several stakes performers, but Beckman is confident in his filly's ability and plans to enjoy the experience of running in a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' qualifier.

“Obviously everyone has the dream of getting into these bigger and better spots,” he said. “From the beginning I knew it would be tough getting going, but now I'm really happy to have a good staff behind me, we're winning some races and the confidence is building. Just to go into this race has been the goal from the get-go and hopefully we continue to build and grow from here.”

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Q&A with Riley Mott

Riley Mott, a longtime assistant to his Hall of Fame father, Bill Mott, recently announced he was going out on his own. The 30-year-old will hang his own shingle after taking out his training license. Jen Roytz sat down with the younger Mott for this Q&A.

JR: What has it been like coming up under your father?
RM: To be honest, it's been like going to Harvard for horse training. Not only learning from him but from everyone involved in our operation, all the way up and down the ladder. I've gained knowledge from everyone in our barn at one point or another in my life. I have a great blueprint on how to run my business and feel very equipped for what lies ahead.

JR: Describe the type of horseman you are?
RM: I try to be patient and understanding towards the horses first and foremost. It's quite amazing what they allow us to do with them when you take a step back and think about it. They're such amazing animals. All horses learn and adapt at their own pace and I find it helpful to be cognizant of that while training.

JR: Describe the responsibility that comes with being a trainer.
RM: As a trainer you are the absolute insurer, so you have all of the responsibility. I've learned that you have to follow your gut and be confident in the decisions you make. Attention to detail and surrounding yourself with good staff can't be overstated.

JR: What is your favorite aspect of horse racing?
RM: I would say the lead up and anticipation of a race is my favorite aspect. It's basically a crescendo of blood, sweat and tears from the breeders, sellers, breaking farms and trainers (and many more parties in between) to get a horse in the starting gate for a race. And if you win, even more thrilling.

JR: What horses have had the biggest impact on your life?
RM: My dad has always said Theatrical (Ire) probably had the biggest impact on his life. The horse paid for my parents' first house in New York and they were able to start our family from there. Maybe if it weren't for Theatrical I wouldn't exist, so for that reason, Theatrical.

JR: Talk about some of the horses that have taught you the most?
RM: We've had a number of horses who I would consider “projects,” whether it be for soundness or temperamental reasons. There have been times where I've only seen a dead end with them, but we've given them the time required to get right and it's worked out well. I've learned that if they can go on and win a race down the line, it's worth giving the horse a fair chance, even if the end goal is well in the future.

JR: What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?
RM: I've been involved in a number of champions, classic winners, Grade I winners, etc. I would consider all of those team accomplishments rather than my own accomplishments. There's no one person who is responsible for any of those successes, but I take a lot of pride in the horses our team has been able to develop.

JR: What are some ways trainers and their staff can improve the racehorse ownership experience?
RM: It depends on the ownership group. Some owners are happy to let you do your thing and see you over in the paddock for the race. Others enjoy being more involved in the day-to-day happenings. I believe in flexibility and having an open door for your clients. We're not just in the horse training business, but the service business as well. My goal is to get creative and introduce some new ways to involve our clients.

JR: In what ways do you think HISA will change racing in the coming years?
RM: I think it will ultimately create a more level playing field, which I would say most people are in favor of. In theory, horsemanship and skill will be rewarded. Some of the bookkeeping requirements appear to be rather tedious, but I'm confident the rules will evolve over time and the record-keeping system will be a bit more realistic. It would be nice to see uniformity without getting too radical.

JR: What (so far) has been your most memorable moment in racing?
RM: Country House's [Kentucky] Derby was quite wild. Not because that's how we wanted to win the race, but the roller coaster of emotion it took us on was pretty unique. From one extreme to another and everything in between. Experiencing it with my wife Megan was also very special. Both the positives and the negatives of the situation are something I'll never forget.

JR: What do you think horse racing is doing right?
RM: One thing that appears to be regularly overlooked is the amount of jobs our industry provides. Between the backstretch workers, administrative workers, frontside workers, maintenance teams and so on, it takes armies to operate a race meet. That's something I've been so proud of in regard to my parents' business over the years. Providing work for families is very honorable and something I hope to do in the same capacity going forward.

Mott with MGISW Yoshida (Jpn) | Emma Berry

JR: Do you ride, and if so, what is your riding background?
RM: I ride the pony every day, that's the extent of it. His name is Round, a Claiborne homebred who we raced. By Arch, out of Enth, half to multiple stakes winners. He catches the eye.

Think Fast…
JR: Most used app on your phone
RM: Dark Sky

JR: What is a good book you've read lately
RM: More of a past performance guy

JR: Favorite racing movie
RM: Seabiscuit

JR: What do you enjoy doing outside of work
RM: Golf and family time

JR: What is the last thing you Googled
RM: Best brand of electric scooter

JR: What do you wish you learned sooner
RM: I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was about nine

JR: What skill are you still honing
RM: Everything. You're never a finished product.

JR: What trait most defines who you are
RM: Positive

JR: Favorite quote or motto
RM: Hindsight is everything in the game of horse racing

JR: What food (or drink) can you not live without
RM: Erma Scott's shepherd's pie

JR: What is a nickname that people call/have called you?
RM: Riles

JR: Go-to breakfast
RM: Coffee

JR: Go-to cocktail
RM: Casamigos margarita

JR: Go-to karaoke song
RM: Whatever song my 10-month-old daughter has been listening to

JR: What sports teams do you follow
RM: Kentucky Wildcats basketball/football. Cam Smith is my favorite golfer.

JR: What was the last show you binge watched
RM: Too embarrassed to say

JR: If you could have one super power, what would it be?
RM: Teleport

JR: What is the worst fashion (or hair) decision you've ever made?
RM: Middle school: surfer hair. Polo shirt with gym shorts.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @Riley_Mott

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Riley Mott to Start Own Stable

Hall of Famer Bill Mott's son, Riley Mott, will go out on his own as a trainer later this year after serving as his father's assistant for the past eight years. The younger Mott has been a familiar face of his father's stable, often traveling with the barn's stars to major races around the world. The 30-year-old took out his own training license in Florida this winter.

“I learned from an early age that training horses wasn't just a business, but a lifestyle,” said Mott. “I walked my first horse when I was 6-years-old and immediately developed a love for the game.”

Mott began rubbing horses and walking hots in his father's barn, eventually ran the shedrow, and was finally named assistant trainer in 2014. He also majored in economics at the University of Kentucky. His father is not only in the Hall of Fame, but is also a three-time winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer and has trained numerous champions, including two-time Horse of the Year Cigar.

“Following in my dad's footsteps is something I think about every day,” said Mott. “I hold him in such high regard both personally and professionally. I often use his accomplishments as motivation to step up my game as both a horseman and a human.”

He continued: “I have learned so much from working under the boss and everyone else in our operation, but by far the most important lesson I've learned from him is that no matter what, it's all about the horses. You strive to look out for your owners' best interests and provide a healthy working environment for your staff, but to do that you must do right by your horses. You do that, and the rest will follow.”

Mott said that several of his father's owners have offered to support him with horses. He has also started to pick up new clients.

He and his wife, Megan, reside in Saratoga during the summer months, but plan to move to Hot Springs for the upcoming Oaklawn meet and then to Kentucky for the rest of the year. They have a 9-month-old daughter, Margot.

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Antonacci Wins First Race as a Trainer

Godolphin Flying Start graduate Philip Antonacci won his first race as a trainer Saturday when Advanced Strategy (Karakontie {Jpn}) took an allowance/optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. Antonacci said he's only officially been training on his own since January, but grew up spending summers in the barn with his brother, Frank, a trainer for their family's prominent Standardbred operation.

“We're very excited about [the first win],” said Antonacci. “It was good for the whole team, a morale boost. We've only had four starters, so we've got a good percentage going right now. I have a good team.”

Antonacci drove professionally in the harness world for a short time and said he had seven or eight wins. “But I always had my eyes on training [Thoroughbreds].” He said in addition to graduating from the Flying Start program in 2019, he has worked for a number of trainers, including Wesley Ward in the U.S. and Gai Waterhouse in Australia. He's also been closely associated with Harness Racing Hall of Famer Jimmy Takter.

“Hopefully there's many more winners in our future,” said Antonacci. “We're at Payson Park right now, but headed at the end of the month to Monmouth. We've got 10 babies. Hopefully this will give us some momentum.”

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