Tag: People

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. paced all other riders at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet to secure the leading rider title with 35 wins.

Ortiz completed the 28-day meet, which ran from September 15 to October 30, with a record of 149-35-32-19, finishing ahead of Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in second [27 wins] with Manny Franco and Jose Lezcano tied for third [23 wins].

Ortiz, a native of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, amassed $3,663,019 in earnings for his strong showing, posting a win rate of 23.49 percent and an in-the-money percentage of 57.72.

“It feels great,” said Ortiz after securing the title aboard the Chad Brown-trained Disruption in Sunday's first race. “I've been having big support since I got here, so I appreciate everyone for the help – all the trainers and owners. I'm blessed and happy to keep riding here in New York. I'm so happy for that. We keep working and my agent, Steve Rushing, does a great job.”

Ortiz earned his 21st New York Racing Association meet title on the heels of a strong summer meet at Saratoga Race Course where he posted 55 wins. His Belmont at the Big A fall meet highlights include Grade 1 triumphs aboard Life Is Good in the Woodward and Chocolate Gelato in the Frizette, both among the favorites in their respective Breeders' Cup races on Friday and Saturday at Keeneland.

Ortiz also scored a Grade 3 win in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational aboard McKulick, as well as Grade 2 wins with Breeders' Cup hopefuls in the Miss Grillo [Pleasant Passage], Pilgrim [Major Dude], and Beldame [Nest]. He posted additional stakes victories in the Joseph A. Gimma [Gambling Girl], Awad [Freedom Trail], Hudson [My Boy Tate], and Empire Distaff [Let Her Inspire U].

“I rode a lot of good horses – Pleasant Passage, Major Dude, Life Is Good, Chocolate Gelato,” said Ortiz. “They all ran here and are important winners, and it's on to the Breeders' Cup next for them. I'm so happy.”

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown earned his fourth NYRA meet title of the year with 24 winners, finishing ahead of Linda Rice in second [18 wins] and Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher in third [17 wins]. It was the 11th consecutive Belmont fall meet title for Brown, who posted a record of 99-24-21-10 with earnings of $2,699,916.

Among Brown's wins were seven stakes victories, capped by a Grade 1 triumph with Blazing Sevens in the Champagne on October 1, awarding the Good Magic colt a berth into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on Friday at Keeneland. His other stakes scores came with Grade 3 wins in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational [McKulick], Pebbles [Faith in Humanity], Athenia [Love And Thunder], and Fasig-Tipton Waya [Rocky Sky]. Brown also sent out Implicated to victory in the Chelsey Flower and Boston Post Road in the Pumpkin Pie.

Brown enjoyed a strong win rate of 24.24 percent and finished in-the-money in 55.56 percent of his starts.

Peter Brant finished atop the owners standings with eight victories, ahead of Klaravich Stables and Michael Dubb, who tied for second with seven wins each. Brant's wins were led by stakes scores with Brown trainees Rocky Sky in the Fasig-Tipton Waya (G3) and Boston Post Road in the Pumpkin Pie. Brant celebrates his first owner's title at NYRA since tying with Noda Brothers [4 wins] for last year's Aqueduct spring meet.

Brant boasts a record of 19-8-4-1 with earnings of $584,620, good for a win rate of 42.11 percent and in-the-money percentage of 68.42. Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Repole Stable tied for fourth with six wins each.

The post Irad Ortiz Jr. Takes Riding Title At Belmont At The Big A Meet, Brown Secures Training Title appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Katie Tolbert, an assistant trainer and exercise rider for trainer Brad Cox, suffered a serious injury to her left leg during morning training at Churchill Downs on Friday, Oct. 28. According to the Daily Racing Form, Tolbert was standing against the outer rail in the stretch aboard an unraced 2-year-old when the horse reared and tossed her into a grandstand box-seat railing.

Medical personnel halted training for nearly 40 minutes while Tolbert was attended to. She was transported via ambulance to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.

Tolbert is the regular exercise rider for many of Cox's top horses, including the Breeders' Cup-bound Cyberknife as well as dual champion Essential Quality.

The social media account for Brad Cox Racing tweeted Friday morning, “We are hoping for a smooth recovery for Katie. We know she will be missing her horses but no doubt cheering her best guy Cyberknife on next week.”

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

The post Cox Assistant Katie Tolbert Injures Left Leg During Friday Training Incident At Churchill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jessica Paquette will be the new voice of Parx Racing in Bensalem, Penn., starting in December. Paquette will be the only full-time, year-round female track announcer in the United States.

“I am grateful for the women in the racing industry who have paved the way for my generation to work in so many different areas,” said Paquette. “My hope is that I can similarly help inspire young women who may want to be part of our sport.”

Paquette, 37, a New England native with nearly 20 years of experience in horse racing, has called races at Suffolk Downs and Sam Houston Race Park. She has been a racing analyst at Colonial Downs Racetrack and Sam Houston and most recently worked as the Director of Communications for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Prior to that she was the Vice President of Marketing at Suffolk Downs in Boston.

In addition to her roles in the horse racing industry, she is a passionate advocate for equine safety and welfare and owns two retired racehorses.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica to the Parx family.” said Joe Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for Parx Racing. “The high regard with which she is held in our industry along with a tremendous work ethic makes her the perfect person to usher in this new era for Parx.”

Paquette added: “I am sure I will have some nerves but I am mostly really excited for this next chapter and to take on this new challenge. I'm very grateful to the team at Parx for the opportunity.”

Parx Racing runs Monday thru Wednesday first post 12:25pm

The post Jessica Paquette Named Full-Time Track Announcer At Parx Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown, Ohio, is proud to host its third annual fundraising event for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund on Saturday, Oct. 29.  This year's event marks an important step forward for the fundraiser as it will hold a new name, Jockey Jam, and see the addition of a karaoke dinner fundraising event, Jockey Jamboree, to be held on Friday, Oct. 28.

“The mission statement behind the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is one of importance to us and the racing community here at Mahoning Valley Race Course,” comments Rob Swedinovich, Vice President and General Manager.

In the events two previous additions, the jockey colony, horsemen, Mahoning Valley's team members, and local community have come together to help raise over $5,000 for the cause.

“The support that we have received for the event over the last two years has been humbling,” states Candy Wetzel, Mutuels Manager and lead organizer, “this year has been no exception as donations for the silent auction continue to roll in.”

Jockey Jam is pleased to welcome PDJF recipient Roger Blanco and 1970 Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mike Manganello as the two day event kicks off at 5pm on Friday, Oct. 28 with Jockey Jamboree.  The evening promises to bring with it great food, dancing, and a good chance of questionable singing ability.  Tickets to the dinner portion of the event remain available for $50 by reservation at: http://sevn.ly/xvfBbNrT.  For those interested in only karaoke, doors will reopen at 7pm at the cost of a $20 donation to the PDJF at the door.

Fundraising events will continue Saturday, Oct. 29 at 12pm joining a special 10 race Best of Ohio stakes card which will see half a million dollars in purse money up for grabs for Ohio bred horses.  Race goers will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle for a $500 Harley Davidson gift card, a silent auction including several horse racing and sports memorabilia items, and signing and photo opportunities with Roger Blanco, Mike Manganello, and Mahoning's local jockey colony.

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course extends a thank you to several local, equine, and racing community donors including the Kentucky Horse Park, the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lip Chip LLC, Mike Smith, Ramon Dominguez, Barry Dyngles, Salem Massotherapy LLC, Greta Polites, Tim Gross, Jacinto Vasquez, Pam Cline, and Harry Mays.

About Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course

 Operated by Penn Entertainment, Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course is conveniently located off Ohio State Route 46 and is open 24 hours daily. The 25,000 square foot gaming facility features VLT machines and live horse racing which includes a one-mile thoroughbred racetrack featuring track-view grandstand seats and a state-of-the-art simulcast theater where patrons can wager every day on races at tracks throughout North America. Dining and entertainment options include Take 2 Grill, Skybox Sports Bar, Harlan's Holiday, Trackside, and H Lounge. For more information, visit http://www.hollywoodmahoningvalley.com.

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