Tag: People

Jockey Dylan Davis earned his second career Grade 1 victory when traveling to Woodbine to pilot West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey's Carson's Run in the Summer Stakes for juveniles going one mile.

Carson's Run, a chestnut son of Cupid, was last-of-9 early on, gradually making up ground through each point of call en route to a 2 1/4-length score which produced an 80 Beyer Speed Figure. Piloted by Davis through all three of his lifetime starts, Carson's Run entered from a narrow runner-up effort in the With Anticipation (G3) on August 31 at Saratoga Race Course and was previously a debut winner on July 29 going 1 1/16 miles over the Spa inner turf.

The victory came nearly two years after Davis made the trek to Woodbine to pilot Mutamakina to a score in the E.P. Taylor (G1). Like Carson's Run, Mutamakina also was conditioned by Christophe Clement.

“Christophe Clement and his team have been very good to me, giving me opportunities to get it done, including both Grade 1 winners at Woodbine. I love Woodbine, they have a great course,” Davis said. “Carson ran great. He was able to sit back off the pack off a pretty moderate pace and save all the ground. Once I turned out, he kicked on impressively. With every start, he's been improving. He's learning his ways and learning what to do out there.”

Davis said he has been figuring the horse out through each start.

“Even for us, we're learning as we go because he's still a young horse,” Davis said. “When he gets next to horses or in between horses, he gets a little shy where he doesn't quite level off and use everything he has. We wanted to try to go to the outside and give him one nice run and he ran huge. I think he liked that the best. He was by himself and was able to keep focus all the way to the wire.”

The victory came two weeks after Davis piloted the Clement-trained Parnac to a wire-to-wire upset score in the Flower Bowl (G2) at Saratoga. One week before that, Davis and Clement teamed up to capture the  Yaddo for New York-breds with Robert Evans' homebred New Ginya.

“Christophe has been giving me a lot of opportunities on the big stage and I'm happy to be getting it done. We just keep building off of that,” Davis said.

Carson's Run is named in honor of Carson Jost, who was born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Carson is the son of Wade Jost, a former classmate of West Point Thoroughbreds' founder Terry Finley at the United States Military Academy.

Davis said he would like to meet Carson's Run's namesake, possibly when the horse contests the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1)on November 3 at Santa Anita. Carson's Run earned an automatic entry into the Juvenile Turf when conquering the Summer – a “Win And You're In” qualifier.

“Any Breeders' Cup mount is special, but I think we're coming in with a really good one,” Davis said. “It's very special to name a horse after Carson and what he has going on. It makes it more meaningful and special. Hopefully I can meet him at the Breeders' Cup and maybe get it done there.”

Clement's assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul saddled Carson's Run for Saturday's win and praised Davis for executing a quality ride.

“It was a very good race and a very good ride from Dylan,” Lorieul said. “They went a touch quick up front and he was at the back of the pack. The only instructions were not to go in between horses and try to make a clear run from the quarter pole to the wire, which he did. He ran really well.”

The post ‘Carson Ran Great’: Clement Supplies Davis Another Grade 1 Winner At Woodbine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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More than 20 years ago, trainer Matt Shirer was hard at work on the court playing high school and AAU basketball in northern Ohio. Shirer moved on from his basketball career in the early 2000s and officially began his training career in 2015.

Churchill Downs' Median Office sat down with Shirer to get to know more about him–from playing in games against one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, LeBron James, to his start as a trainer

Q: How did you get started training horses?

A: I grew up around Cleveland and began going to Thistledown. I started walking hots while in college at Ohio Wesleyan and eventually took a job as a foreman to Kenny McPeek.

Q: What is one thing people at the racetrack don't know about you?

A: I grew up playing basketball in Ohio. I went to Medina High School, which is a bigger public high school. I played for my school but in the summers I would play in summer leagues and travel to different tournaments. I played quite a few times with LeBron James in games or at open gyms. My friend Tony Stockman, who was the 2000 Mr. Basketball, would invite me to play in open gyms with LeBron. I also played against Mike Gansey in high school. He was by far one of the best players I saw until LeBron. He's now the general manager for the Cavaliers. After high school I played college basketball for Ohio Wesleyan, which is a Division III school.

Q: What's your favorite part about training horses?

A: I love to watch a horse develop and be able to show their full potential. I don't have a lot of young horses in my barn but for the ones I have, I like seeing them at the beginning of their career and be able to work with them so they can show their best. Even the horses that we claim, a lot of them have already proven themselves on the racetrack but I like to see them be the best they can be under our care.

Q: Who's your favorite horse that you trained?

A: Strut the Ring. This was one of the horses I claimed when I began my career. He always showed up on race day. He'd lay it down every time. We only claimed him for $5,000, but he proved that horses can have heart at all levels. His name was fitting because when we'd lead him over to the paddock he would strut around the ring. Now he's retired and is a trail horse.

Q: Who was your mentor for training horses?

A: Kenny (McPeek) is someone I always strived to be like. His program is so successful and I learned a lot when I worked for him.

Q: It seems like one of the stars in your barn is your goat Tucker. When did Tucker join the Shirer team?

A: It's a pretty funny story how we got Tucker. About three years ago my assistant, Rene Cano, wanted to get a goat. We were at Fair Grounds and goats always get along well with horses. One day, trainer Kevin Williams came over to our barn with this baby white goat. He was never around people and told Rene his name was Tucker. I think he may have been joking because “Tucker” Alonzo was standing there. But, his name stuck and he's been with us ever since. He's pretty much a dog. He sits in my office like a dog and is very friendly.

Q: Who is one horse you wish you could've trained?

A: Zenyatta was such a cool horse. I feel like most of the horses in my care are speed horses but she would always come with such a huge run from dead last, even if the pace wasn't very fast.”

Q: When's the last time you took a vacation?

A: A long, long time ago. I took out my trainer's license in 2015 and I worked several years before that for Kenny. The last time I took some time off was before I worked for Kenny.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: I like to be outdoors. I enjoy running and getting outside as much as possible. I'm also a big fantasy football guy during NFL season. I'm in a league with several guys around the racetrack.

Q: What's on the playlist in your truck?

A: I like to listen to the music I grew up with. Old school rap and songs from the early 2000s are normally what I listen to. If there's anything new on my playlist it's Post Malone.

To learn more about Shirer, visit his website at www.mattshirerracing.com or follow him on X (@ShirerRacing).

The post Q&A: Trainer Matt Shirer’s Unique Background Includes Playing Basketball With LeBron James appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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It was easy to spot groom Abraham Garcia on Sunday morning at trainer Greg Foley's Barn 11. Garcia, the groom for record-tying 11-time Churchill Downs winner Bango, wore a bright red shirt that had the number 11 in large white print. Bango emerged from his narrow victory in Saturday's Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes in good order, according to Foley. The 6-year-old son of Congrats earned a career-best 103 Brisnet Speed Rating in his win. “I couldn't be more proud of this horse,” Foley said. “About 30 of us went down to the Louisville Thoroughbred Society to celebrate after the races. We'll sit down and figure out what's next for him this fall. I'd imagine after the fall we'll let him get a breather early this winter and bring him back around for the spring.” Bango sits atop Churchill's leaderboard with Ready's Rocket for the most documented career wins at the Louisville track. A former Tim Glyshaw trainee, Ready's Rocket retired in 2012 following an eight-year career. Barrister Siv (1981-'84), Can'tholdmeback (1980-'85) and Herreno (1982-'87) are tied in third with nine wins each. “I'm very happy for the Foley crew,” Glyshaw said. “Bango has a lot of heart, just like Ready's Rocket. To achieve that many wins you have to have heart.” Bango's impressive career record now stands at 33-14-4-2 and $1,459,261 in purse earnings. With his win in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes, Bango's earnings just at Churchill Downs rose above $1 million to $1,164,861. The post Foley Barn Savoring Bango’s Record-Tying Win At Churchill Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jockey Gary Boulanger, whose numerous career highlights include a coveted Queen's Plate victory, has decided to call it a career. “It's the right time,” said Boulanger. “I don't feel I have anything left to prove. I am so grateful to all the trainers, owners, and my fellow riders for their support. Just like anyone who rides horses, there are many ups and downs, but you always find a way to persevere.” Boulanger, 55, who won three straight riding titles at Longacres in Washington (1989, 1990, 1991), would understand that perhaps more than most. A 2020 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, the native of Alberta enjoyed great success over a career that included devastating injuries. He overcame back problems, which required extensive surgery in the late 1990s, and came back from an eight-year absence precipitated by a spill in the 2005 Mac Diarmida Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park, which led to life-threatening injuries. The aftermath of the spill on January 30 that year resulted in fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, torn elbow tendons, a blood clot, and brain damage that required doctors to remove part of his skull to ease the swelling. On two occasions, he flatlined on the operating table. No one believed he'd ever ride again, including Boulanger. But after breezing horses for trainer Mark Casse, he rode his first race in eight years at Tampa Bay Downs in 2013. His first victory after the accident came on a Casse-trained horse. With a return to the saddle came a new perspective on the sport. “I felt more in-tune with the horses, having more of a connection with them than I ever had. And it was a great feeling.” As was the feeling Boulanger got when he would bring a horse back to the winner's circle. “I love seeing the team win. I like getting to know the horses, the grooms, everyone at the barn,” said Boulanger, who won the 1996 Fountain of Youth (G2) with 143-1 longshot Built for Pleasure, who defeated favorite Unbridled's Song by a neck.  “These people in our industry work hard – the trainers, the grooms, the exercise riders, the farriers, everyone. I have a smile on my face when I visit with them. There are a lot of people that have jobs they don't want to be at. I always couldn't wait to get to the track. Who will I see? What horses can I see? What will today bring? It's something I always looked forward to.” His two biggest career highlights came at Woodbine. Moving his tack to the Toronto oval in June 2000, Boulanger partnered Dancethruthedawn, Sam-Son Farm  champion homebred filly, to victory in the 2001 Queen's Plate and Woodbine Oaks. In 2017, Boulanger received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award, which is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport. The award is named in memory of one of the sport's most heralded and loved jockeys. “It's one of the greatest moments in my career,” said Boulanger, who forged a strong friendship and prosperous partnership with fellow Albertan, trainer Stuart Simon. “To be recognized by your peers and to be part of a very select group is something I will always treasure.” As he will the numerous stakes winners, 90 in all, that he piloted to victory. Boulanger, whose son Brandon also rides, retires with 3,685 career victories and US$83,543,795 in purse earnings. The man with a reputation for beating the odds on and off the racetrack will now take time to ponder the next chapter in his life. A career in racing is certainly a strong consideration. “I'm not quite sure what is next, but I love the horses, the horse people, and the sport,” said Boulanger, who also has a 3-year-old son, Cristian, with wife, Jennifer Petricca. “I would like to stay connected to racing, so we'll see what happens. For now, I want to spend time with my family and reflect on how lucky I was to be a jockey. To everyone who supported me… I can't thank you enough.” The post ‘It’s The Right Time’: Canadian HOF Jockey Boulanger Announces Retirement appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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