Tag: People

Phil D'Amato has won the last four training titles at Del Mar, beginning with the Fall Meet in 2021. He followed up with another title run in the summer of 2022, though he had to share the crown with Bob Baffert. D'Amato then took the trainers race in the fall of 2022 and the just-concluded summer meet.

D'Amato's success is not limited to Del Mar. He won both training titles at Santa Anita this winter and spring before losing to Mark Glatt by one race in the autumn trainers race.

Judging by the show of force D'Amato brought down with him to Del Mar, it would be no surprise if he extends his winning streak this fall.

“What's not to like about Del Mar,” D'Amato said. “It's a quasi-working vacation and everyone enjoys it, including the horses.”

D'Amato brought 60 horses with him, including last year's Seabiscuit (G2) winner, to defend his crown.

“Hong Kong Harry in the Seabiscuit,” D'Amato said. “I have a new horse, Easter, who won a stakes race at Santa Anita for Graham Motion. They left the horse with me and he'll also go in the Seabiscuit. And possibly Balnikhov, too.”

Balnikhov was the 2022 Oceanside Stakes winner and runner-up to stablemate Gold Phoenix in last summer's Eddie Read (G2) at the seaside oval. He owns a pair of graded wins: the 2022 Bryan Station (G3) at Keeneland and this spring's San Francisco Mile (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.

As for his Breeders' Cup horses, D'Amato says they're getting some well deserved time off.

“I have Desert Dawn down here but she's just on a working vacation. There's no race for her here unless I want to try her on grass. Most of them I have given breaks, so it's a lot of new recruits down here.”

D'Amato had six horses in the Breeders' Cup: Tony Ann, Motorious and Beer Can Man in the Turf Sprint (G1); Gold Phoenix in the Turf (G1), and Masteroffoxhounds in the Mile (G1). Desert Dawn ran in the Distaff (G1).

Despite all the success and accolades, Phil D'Amato remains well centered with an eye on improving.

“I think with any good horseman we're learning every day,” D'Amato said. “Just knowing your horse, knowing what they like to do. It's always an evolving process. And this game evolves as well so you have to be in touch and in tune with the racing nuances, the ebbs and flows of horseracing, as well as training horses. But I think with hard work and determination, good horses and really good help, all of those things lead you in the right direction.”

The post ‘What’s Not To Like About Del Mar’: D’Amato Eyes Fifth Straight Trainers Title At Seaside Track appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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So what does Del Mar's leading rider, Juan Hernandez do on his day off?

He plays golf.

Earlier this week, Hernandez and a group of fellow jockeys that included Ricky Gonzalez, Diego Herrera and Abel Cedillo hit the links at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. How did he do?

“Not very good this time,” Hernandez admits.

It may be one of the few times his colleagues get the best of him. Hernandez has won three of the last four riding titles at Del Mar and in the one he lost to Flavien Prat last fall, he finished second.

Hernandez went up to Santa Anita following Del Mar's last summer meet and captured his third straight riding title there. Always modest about achievements, the 31-year old rider attributes much of his success to the opportunities given to him by the owners and trainers, good horses and getting lucky.

“I'm really excited to be back over there,” Hernandez says of Del Mar. “I had a really nice season this summer so I'm excited to get back and do well again.

“I like the track,” he continues. “It's really nice. Both surfaces, dirt and turf. But what I like most is the people there. We always have a really nice crowd at the races. People at Del Mar love racing and they support us a lot so I'm really excited to get back there and win races again.”

Like many of the riders, Hernandez will commute down to Del Mar for the races this fall which means he's separated from the family on the weekends.

“I go by myself,” he says. “They have to stay here (in Glendora, just down the 210 from Santa Anita) because my kids have school. So, I get to Del Mar on Fridays, get a hotel and then stay there Friday and Saturdays and come back on Sundays. I have to work horses at Santa Anita on Mondays.”

Hernandez has never shied away from hard work dating back to his youth in his hometown of Vera Cruz, Mexico. His father got him started riding and from their he learned his craft from the top riders around him.

“When I was starting back in Mexico City there were a couple of really good riders,” he says. “They were in my corner. We had the same valet. They taught me a lot. I always asked them a lot of questions and when I did something wrong they always corrected me and gave me a lot of good tips.

“When I moved my tack here I always watched the racing from all over the USA,” Hernandez continues, “and I watched the good riders. The one guy I watched a lot was David Flores. I liked his style. He never moved too much in the saddle. He didn't try to do much. He was just really smooth all the time so I was trying to copy him when I got here. I like to learn and improve all the time. I think I'm growing a lot and you can never stop learning.”

Hernandez' chief rival, Flavien Prat, will be back for the Bing Crosby Season as well as Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, making the Del Mar jockey colony a formidable group.

“It's always tough here,” Hernandez notes. “I like to challenge myself. I like the competition. I'm really excited to ride with the new guys who are coming. Just looking to be competitive. Hopefully, we can get a good start and have a good meet.”

Hernandez is fresh off of his fourth Breeders' Cup. He had nine mounts. His best finish was runner-up in the Juvenile aboard Muth.

“I had a lot of fun,” he says. “I rode some good horses. I got one good second. I was hoping to win a Breeders' Cup (race) this year. I have no excuses for my horses, they all ran really good. They gave me everything that they had and I had fun and I got more experience.”

More experience generally leads to improved performance. Just what the jockeys at Del Mar don't need to hear about Juan Hernandez.

The post Del Mar Leading Rider Juan Hernandez Hopes To Stay On Top This Fall appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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With more than $176 million wagered over the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships this past Friday and Saturday outpacing Santa Anita's previous record Breeders' Cup handle of more than $174 million in 2019 and thus ranking as the third-highest pari-mutuel total in Breeders' Cup history, The Great Race Place concluded its 19-day Autumn Meet on a high note Sunday, Nov. 5,  as all sources handle of $11.9 million outpaced last year's total with all sights now set on the track's traditional Classic Meet opener on Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Juan Hernandez again led the jockey standings as he outpaced Umberto Rispoli 24-20 and he led all riders by stakes-won as well, with seven added money victories—three more than Rispoli.

Congratulations are in order for Mark Glatt, as he out-dueled Phil D'Amato 12-11 to take his first Santa Anita trainers' crown.  Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella led all trainers with five stakes wins—one more than John Sadler with four.

The race for leading owner was very tight, with Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable finishing on top with four wins, one better than Hronis Racing, LLC.

For additional information regarding Santa Anita's upcoming Classic Meet, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Mark Glatt, Juan Hernandez Win Trainer, Jockey Titles At Santa Anita appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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In a career spanning nearly 45 years, Randy Moss has become a beloved figure among racing enthusiasts, recognized for his insightful horse racing commentary. Currently a key member of the NBC Sports horse racing coverage team, Moss lends his expertise to events including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup World Championships. His journey through the world of TV racing analysis began at ESPN, where he served as their horse racing analyst.

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, Randy Moss will deliver the keynote address at the 2023 Global Symposium on Racing, where he will take a retrospective look at his remarkable career in horse racing and share his insights on the future of the sport.

Moss's passion for horse racing dates back to his youth when he was sneaking into the Oaklawn Park grandstand. A true racing luminary, Moss has covered all but two runnings of the Kentucky Derby since 1980, first as a newspaper reporter and later as a television commentator. His career has been marked by chronicling iconic moments in racing history, including the thrilling Triple Crown victories of American Pharoah and Justify. Moss's insights and contributions have greatly enriched the experience of those who follow horse racing closely.

Before transitioning into television, Moss spent two decades as a newspaper reporter, horse racing handicapper, and columnist for publications such as the Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Arkansas Democrat, and Arkansas Gazette.

Beyond his role as a television analyst, Moss has made significant contributions to the field of horse racing statistics. He is an essential part of the Beyer Speed Figures team, playing a crucial role in calculating Beyer Speed Figures for the past three decades. Additionally, he introduced the innovative “Moss Pace Figures,” a metric that gained recognition and trust among fans and bettors, and was published by the Daily Racing Form.

Randy Moss's influence extends beyond horse racing. He served as the Director of Operations at Oaklawn Park, located in his hometown of Hot Springs, Ark. Moss's television pursuits have extended to the NFL Network for 13 years, where he served as a host and on-site reporter at venues around the country. He reported on three Super Bowls, five Olympic Games, and covered events for the Golf Channel, college football, and college basketball, showcasing his versatility and passion for sports journalism.

Randy Moss's appearance at the 2023 Global Symposium on Racing promises to be an inspiring and enlightening experience for all attendees.

The post NBC Sports’ Randy Moss Announced As 2023 Global Symposium On Racing Keynote Speaker appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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