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Pablo Morales Notches Second Five-Win Day At Tampa Bay Downs

Pablo Morales started 2022 with a bang, riding five winners to move into second place in the early-season jockey standings at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla.

Morales, a 33-year-old from Lima, Peru, got things going Jan. 1 by sweeping the early daily double. He won the first race on Imtakinittothebank, a 4-year-old Florida-bred gelding owned by Volar Corporation and trained by Kathleen O'Connell. Morales captured the second race on Jack Rabbit Quick, another 4-year-old Florida-bred gelding bred and owned by Endsley Oaks Farm and trained by Rafael Schistl.

Morales's next victory came in the fifth, when he kept 8-year-old campaigner Nick the Cardshark to the task through the stretch to defeat long shot Killeen by a head. Jose H. Delgado trains Nick the Cardshark for owner Carole Star Stables. Morales then won the ninth race, the Lambholm South Race of the Week, on 6-year-old gelding Mystic Link for owner Kelly's Racing and trainer Jon Arnett.

By winning the 10^th, the Male Division of the Tampa Turf Test aboard 6-year-old gelding Dazzling Truths, Morales accomplished the rare feat of winning both halves of the early and late daily doubles. Dazzling Truths is owned by Sabal Racing Stables and Patrick Rhodes and trained by Darien Rodriguez, the same connections to win the Tampa Turf Test Fillies and Mares Division with Vip Nation.

Morales got the most out of Dazzling Truths through the stretch, powering him to a 1 ¾-length victory from Bird's Eye View. He paid $6.80 to win after completing the 1-mile distance in 1:37.50.

Morales also had a second and a third from eight mounts. It was his second career five-victory day at Tampa Bay Downs, having gone 5-for-5 on May 4, 2019 (Kentucky Derby Day). Morales rode five winners on back-to-back days on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 at Presque Isle Downs, where he was the runaway jockey champion.

Approaching the 10^th race, Morales knew he was in a zone and feeling good about his chances. “I'm sure it helped (winning three of the first five races), because everything flows and I was confident and happy. But it was also a factor that I was sitting on good horses and trying to give them good trips,” Morales said.

“I'm hoping this helps me get a little more business, because I think I'm doing pretty well. I don't even ride Wednesday, but I'm happy to at least be able to win some races with what I have. Hopefully, this will open more doors and create more opportunities and I can take advantage. God willing, I'll stay healthy and I'll keep working hard and I think I'll be alright.

“Of all the racetracks I've ridden, you don't take anything for granted here,” he added. “It's definitely not easy, so days like this I feel very lucky to go home to my family happy and to be able to keep working to gain more wins.”

Through Jan. 1, Antonio Gallardo leads the jockey standings with 19 victories, followed by Morales with 18 and Samy Camacho with 17.

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Irish Student Luke Kevin Named Dilger Equine Scholarship Recipient

The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation with great donor support has granted several scholarships throughout 2021 for young people to further their experience and education in the bloodstock industry in the spirit of the horseman for which it is named.

The foundation board has announced that its final scholarship for the upcoming 2022 breeding season is being awarded to University of Limerick student and Cashel, County Tipperary, native Luke Kevin.

This particular scholarship affords Kevin the opportunity to travel from Ireland to work and learn at the renowned Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky.

Kevin is a third-year student in the Equine Science program t the University of Limerick and impressed the board with his ambition and the objectives he has already formulated at such a young age for his future intentions and development in the horse industry.

The scholarship recipient has gained experience in Ireland with Ballysheehan, Martinstown and Ballinalard Studs and is looking forward to embracing the Kentucky experience as he expands his worldwide knowledge of the horse business.

“I would like to give a huge thanks to the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation for giving me this great opportunity to work and learn in the U.S.,” Kevin said.

Erin Dilger commented, “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Lane's End Farm for their generosity in accommodating Luke for the 2022 season. We feel that he is a very deserving young person who will enjoy his Kentucky experience.”

Gerry Dilger, a native of County Clare, Ireland, who operated Dromoland Farm near Ireland, died March 4, 2020, at the age of 61. A horseman who both pinhooked a Kentucky Derby winner (Nyquist) and bred one (Always Dreaming), Dilger also served as a mentor to numerous young men and women interested in establishing a career in the horse business.

For further information and details please visit www.gerrydilgerequine.com

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Velazquez Latest Hall Of Famer To Make Agent Anderson’s Job ‘Easy’

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez turned 50 on Nov. 24, but his talent on horseback and dealing with horsemen and the media hasn't diminished one iota due to his age.

Riding regularly now at Santa Anita after being based mainly in New York since 1990, the native of Puerto Rico is well atop the jockey standings after three racing days, with nine wins from 17 mounts, leading in purse earnings as well with $653,900.

It's no surprise to those in the know, particularly his agent, Ron Anderson, whose savvy extends well beyond horse racing.

“He's without a doubt one of the greatest riders we've seen in a very, very long time,” said the 67-year-old Anderson, who became a world-class agent soon after he started in 1973, and also represents future Hall of Famer Joel Rosario.

Anderson's admiration of “Johnny V.,” as Velazquez is known to friends and fans alike, is understandable and deserved.

“John devotes considerable time as president of the Jockeys' Guild, which involves much more than meets the eye,” Anderson said. “Overall, he's in a league by himself, a great rider and a complete professional in every facet of his life.”

Anderson is reticent when it comes to beating the drums on his own behalf, but his record speaks for itself.

“I've won 38 Breeders' Cup races,” Anderson noted sans fanfare. “Nobody's even close.

“I've been doing this long enough that we've got it figured out,” he said, “but the bottom line is these guys make it easy for me, because I get opportunities to put them on good horses.”

He has represented a Who's Who of Hall of Fame jockeys in his nearly 49 years as an agent, namely Velazquez, Jerry Bailey, Garrett Gomez, Gary Stevens, Chris Antley and Kent Desormeaux, with Rosario waiting in the wings.

Ron Anderson may not own up to it, but you could say this: he's been Colonel Parker to all of those jocks.

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William H. ‘Billy’ Turner Jr. Passes; Trainer Of 1977 Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew Was 81

On the last day of 2021, Thoroughbred racing has lost a legend. William H. (Billy) Turner Jr., the trainer of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, passed away peacefully in cancer hospice care at his home in Reddick, Fla. He was 81 years old.

Billy Turner was based at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., for much of his career, where he preferred to keep a small stable of around 30 horses so that he was able to know and train them each as the individual he believed was best for their development. He was best known for his masterful horsemanship and training of the 1977 Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew.

Unbeaten in three starts as a 2-year-old, topped off by a victory in the Grade 1 Champagne, the son of Bold Reasoning began his 3-year-old campaign with an allowance victory at Hialeah Park, then won the G1 Flamingo at Hialeah and the G1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Sent away the 1-2 favorite in the G1 Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew won by 1 3/4 lengths under regular rider Jean Cruguet, then added victories in the G1 Preakness and G1 Belmont before tasting defeat for the first time in the G1 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park, a race in which the horse's owners overruled Turner, who was opposed to running. He was then turned over to Douglas Peterson for the remainder of his career.

Three years after Seattle Slew's Triple Crown season, Turner trained Czaravich to several major victories, including the G1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap. His other graded stakes winners included, Gaviola, Punch Line, Kilauea, Play On, Pok Ta Pok, Popol's Gold, Night Fox, Dust Bucket, Eze, Finery and Dry Martini.

A resident of Marion County, Fla., since his retirement from training in 2016, Turner was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost two years ago, a disease that also spread to and weakened his bones. He was admitted to the hospital on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, after suffering significant shortness of breath, after which there was considerable fluid drained from his lungs. Unfortunately, testing of the fluid revealed that his cancer had spread to his lungs. Turner had chosen not to receive further treatment for the cancer. and he was transferred to hospice care on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

After the cancer was discovered in his lungs, his condition deteriorated quickly but it was thought he still had some months to live. On Thursday, the hospice nurse felt this prognosis changed to days. Friday morning, the prognosis changed to mere hours. His wife, Pat, was next to him when he took his last breath in peace.

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Just a few days ago, a GoFundMe effort was launched to assist Billy with medical and other expenses, and to give the chance to those who knew him to express words of support and their memories of this consummate gentleman and horseman. The outpouring of love and financial support was immense, and Pat Turner spent a big part of his last two days reading Billy the many pages of messages sent from around the nation.

After his passing, Pat issued a statement to thank everyone who sent messages and financial support: “Billy Turner passed away this afternoon peacefully at home. I want to take a moment to thank every person who contributed to his physical care and lifting him up in your thoughts and prayers. I was able to read him all the messages sharing your kindness and admiration of him. It meant a great deal to me to be able to let him know how loved he was in his last moments.”

The world of horse racing, as well as other equestrian disciplines with Seattle Slew in their bloodlines, owes much to Billy Turner's masterful guidance of Seattle Slew and his legacy. It meant much to Billy to receive the financial support of his and Seattle's Slew's fans. The numerous prayers and words of support meant that Billy, in his last days, got to experience a blanket of love and reminders of how much he meant to the world of racing, how much inspiration Seattle Slew provided to fans and those who started their careers because of this incredible colt and his trainer, and how many appreciated Billy's horsemanship, humor and class.

A memorial and celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

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