Tag: People

Edgard Zayas, currently leading rider at Gulfstream Park's Royal Palm Meet, escaped serious injury in a fall in Sunday's fifth race at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track, but is expected to be out of action for about two weeks, according to his agent, Tito Fuentes.

“All things considered, he's good,” Fuentes said of the 29-year-old native of Puerto Rico. “He did suffer a micro fracture on the left side of his jaw, but it's very little. He'll see a specialist in next couple of days and will probably miss a couple of weeks.”

Zayas was aboard Chapalu in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, running just behind the front-running Charles Chrome entering the first turn. Chapalu clipped heels with Charles Chrome and Zayas fell. The eight trailing horses managed to avoid the fallen rider.

“The horse he was riding got a little rank and clipped heels,” Fuentes said. “Edgard lost his balance, and came out of the left stirrup.”

Stewards conducted an inquiry but did not change the order of finish. Chapalu completed the course without a rider and walked off. Another horse, Uno Tiger, checked sharply to avoid Zayas, and was pulled up shortly thereafter and also walked off.

Zayas has 11 wins from 45 starts to lead the Royal Palm Meet that began April 6. He finished fifth in the 2022-23 Championship meet rider standings with 43 victories. Irad Ortiz Jr. was the runaway leader with 128 wins. Zayas' most recent riding title was the Gulfstream Park fall meet in 2021 when he won 43 races from 177 mounts, 14 wins ahead of runner-up Chantal Sutherland. He was forced to miss the entire 2021-22 Championship meet following surgery on his left shoulder.

The post Zayas Expected To Miss Two Weeks After Fracturing Jaw In Gulfstream Spill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Triple dead heats are extremely rare in racing, the most famous being the 1944 Carter Handicap, and it's never happened for Jockey of the Week. Until now.

Declan Cannon, Juan Hernandez and Joel Rosario each had riding achievements last week where the panel of racing experts were evenly divided as to who was most deserving leading to the triple dead heat for Jockey of the Week honors for April 17 through April 23. The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Riding at Keeneland on Saturday, Declan Cannon was aboard Verstappen for trainer Brendan Walsh in the Grade 2 Elkhorn. Let go as the longest shot in the field, Verstappen raced near the back of the eight-horse field until the top of the stretch. Verstappen and Red Knight had clear running room on the outside with Verstappen taking the lead at the eighth pole to win by a head over Red Knight in 2:29.28 for the mile and one-half. It was the first stakes win at Keeneland for Cannon.

“Declan rode him to perfection,” said Walsh. “I'm delighted for him. He does a lot of work for me in the mornings and this is a great reward.”

“My horse travelled so good, and I just rode him with confidence,” said Cannon.

Juan J. Hernandez continued his winning ways at the Hollywood meet at Santa Anita after taking the leading jockey title for the winter/spring meet. Hernandez was in the irons on Brickyard Ride for trainer Craig Lewis in the G3 Kona Gold. Brickyard Ride held off a determined Anarchist to register a repeat victory in the six and one-half furlong dirt contest in 1:15.84.

“He made a really good move around the three-eighths,” said Hernandez. “I felt the pace was really hot, these guys didn't want to leave me alone.”

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert gave a leg up to Hernandez on Defunded in the G2 Californian. After hopping at the start, the 5-year-old gelding cruised into contention around the far turn and blew past the competition to win by three lengths in 1:48.91.

“After the bad break, he relaxed really well behind those horses,” said Hernandez. “He picked it up by himself. I just let him go and he caught the horses.”

Joel Rosario picked up where he left off at Oaklawn. After winning the $1 million G1 Apple Blossom the week before aboard Clairiere, he was back for the $1 million G2 Oaklawn Handicap riding Proxy for trainer Michael Stidham. Proxy was in fifth as the horses entered the stretch but gained ground after going six wide to prevail by a head in 1:49.68 over defending Oaklawn Handicap winner Last Samurai.

Rosario also won the two other stakes races, the Valley of the Vapors on Merlazza for trainer Brad Cox and the Bath House Row for Oaklawn's all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Manny Franco who led all riders in wins with 11 and Jose Ortiz with two stakes wins at Aqueduct.

The post Triple Deat Heat For Jockey Of The Week: Declan Cannon, Juan Hernandez, Joel Rosario Tied In Voting appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

One day, Bryce Bourdieu wants to be a jockey. Though a morning training incident on Aug. 11, 2022, forced the loss of his leg, Bordieu hasn't let that stop him from dreaming; the young horseman is already getting back in the saddle.

“I want to be the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby and the All American Futurity, hopefully in the same year,” Bordieu told KVIA this week.

The KVIA 'Good Vibes Only' video feature shows Bordieu jogging a horse around a local training center, getting used to riding once again.

The incident in August caused suffered severe injuries to Bordieu's spine which required multiple surgeries to stabilize, but the biggest trauma came later when Bourdieu developed compartment syndrome in his left leg. Every attempt was made to save the limb, but after 13 surgeries doctors were eventually forced to amputate his leg below the knee.

“He never once said, 'Why me?'” recalled Bourdieu's mother, Julie Farr, speaking to the Paulick Report late in 2022. “His attitude has inspired everyone who meets him… Even though it was horrific, I felt like I was really watching something special as he went through this.”

Watch the full video below, and read more about Bourdieu's story here:

The post Back In The Saddle: Leg Amputation Can’t Halt Dreams Of Future Jockey Bruce Bourdieu appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

It is with tremendous sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) confirm the passing of 34-year-old jockey Dean Holland as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at Donald Racecourse.

Holland was one of two riders dislodged from their horse in the opening race. He was immediately attended to by on-course paramedics, however was unable to be saved due to the nature of his injuries.

Jockey Alana Kelly, who was the other rider to fall in the incident, was cleared of any serious injuries. Both horses, Headingley and Time To Rumble, were unharmed.

The race meeting was abandoned following the incident by order of RV Stewards who have also adjourned an inquiry into the incident to a date to be fixed.

WorkSafe, with the cooperation of RV and the Donald Racing Club (DRC), will investigate the circumstances of the racing accident and Victoria Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Holland commenced race riding in his native South Australia in December 2005 and piloted his first winner at Ceduna on Jan. 14, 2006. He went on to ride more than 1,075 career winners with those victories predominantly coming in Victoria and South Australia, along with the Northern Territory and Tasmania. His last visit to the winner's circle was at Ararat last Thursday, April 20.

Holland won his first Group 1 race in the 2010 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville aboard Small Minds, before claiming his second aboard In Secret in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington last month when a late substitution on raceday.

Among his other feature wins were the 2015 and 2019 Adelaide Cups aboard Tanby and Surprise Baby respectively, 2015 Mornington Cup (Banco Mo), 2021 Geelong Cup (Tralee Rose) and 2022 Wodonga Cup (Night Passage). He was also victorious in the Casterton, Devonport, Dunkeld, Hamilton, Horsham and Warracknabeal Cups.

RV Chief Executive, Andrew Jones, said: “On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Dean's partner Lucy, his children, his family, friends and colleagues on the incredibly sad news of his passing.

“It was a tragic accident at Donald today and we are all are deeply shocked and saddened that Dean has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in the fall.

“Dean was a gifted lightweight rider who won over 1000 races and was highly respected by his peers. He showcased his immense talent on the biggest stage last month when winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

“Dean's passing is heartbreaking for all within Victorian racing and the sport nationally. It is a sobering reminder of the immense bravery of our riders.”

Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, said: “The VJA and our members are incredibly saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend Dean Holland and extend our heartfelt condolences to his partner Lucy, his four children and his wider family.

“Dean was a much-loved member of the riding group here in Victoria and when he travelled interstate, and his fellow riders will all be shattered at the shock news of his passing as we at the VJA are.

“Together with Racing Victoria, the Jockey Assistance Program will be wrapping its arms around the riding group and will be working to support Lucy and the Holland family both now and importantly into the future.”

RV and the VJA are working together to support the Holland family, the racing community and industry employees with counselling and support.

Members of the racing industry are encouraged to utilise the free, confidential counselling service STABLELINE on 1300 530 122 if they are in need of support at this tragic time.

The post Group 1-Winning Jockey Dean Holland Killed After Australian Racing Incident appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post