Tag: People

‘Kids Don’t Always Listen’: Calixto Juarez Saddles First Stakes Winner After Son Nik Opts For Another Mount

Calixto Juarez did his best to try to convince his son – jockey Nik Juarez – to ride the horse he trains, Princess Georgia, in Monday's $76,500 Spruce Fir Handicap at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

When that failed he had to settle for the next best thing: Watching Princess Georgia score a late-running three-quarters length victory, doing so by running past Diamond Play in deep stretch.

Diamond Play's jockey? Nik Juarez.

The victory in the six-furlong dash for Jersey-bred fillies and mares 3 and up marked the elder Juarez's first stakes win as a trainer. He began training in 2014 and didn't have a starter in 2020.

“Right now I can't touch the ground,” said Calixto Juarez. “I'm sure I'll feel even better when we get the check (from the purse) but right now I am floating. I feel fantastic. And to beat my son … I don't know what to say.

“I asked him to ride this horse. He said `No, I am riding the winner.' He made a mistake but kids don't always listen to their parents, so what can you do? We know it's just business. I know he is very happy for me.”

Ridden by Carlos Hernandez, Princess Georgia rallied from sixth in the seven-horse field at the top of the stretch to come rolling late down the stretch just as it seemed Diamond Play was a winner. It was another half-length back to 2-1 race favorite Groovy Surprise in third.

Time of the race over a fast track was 1:11.93.

“When I broke out of the gate I took back my filly because I saw the speed out there and my horse is so good at making one big run,” said Hernandez. “So I wanted to wait and get her to relax. I knew when I asked her she would give me everything so I just needed to put her in a good spot.

“I knew Diamond Play was the filly to beat. That is the one Nik Juarez chose to ride so I was able to pick up the mount on this one. It worked out great for me.”

The victory was the third straight and fifth in 27 career starts for the 6-year-old daughter of El Padrino–Vodka High by Mount McKinley. It marked her third straight victory in her first start since returning to Juarez's care.

Juarez had her for all of 2019 before opting to stay in Florida in 2020 and not train, which prompted owner CJ Racing to turn Princess Georgia over to Alison Delgado. Juarez just got her back this month.

“She is in really top form. She has been training great since I got her back,” said Juarez, a former jockey who has now won 13 races as a trainer.

Princess Georgia returned $11.20 to win.

Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Friday, June 4, with a six-race twilight card that will feature the first two 2-year-old races of the season. First race post time on Friday is 5 p.m.

The post ‘Kids Don’t Always Listen’: Calixto Juarez Saddles First Stakes Winner After Son Nik Opts For Another Mount appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Messara Elected Chair Of Racing Australia After Appointment As Independent Director

John Messara was unanimously appointed by the Directors of Racing Australia as an Independent Director and elected as Chair of Racing Australia, replacing Greg Nichols whose term as Chair concluded in April 2021.

The Constitution of Racing Australia allows for the appointment of an Independent Director in addition to the Directors nominated by each of the Principal Racing Authorities. This is the first time that an Independent Director has been appointed since the establishment of Racing Australia.

John Messara brings to the role a long record of dynamic leadership in Australian Thoroughbred breeding, racing and administration. Earlier this month he was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame as an Associate, recognizing his achievements as the founder and owner of Arrowfield Stud, and his industry service in several roles, including as the Chairman of Racing New South Wales from 2011–16, and as the inaugural Chair of Racing Australia from 2014–16.

Speaking upon his appointment, John Messara thanked the Directors for the opportunity and responsibility to continue the work of Racing Australia as Chair, and paid tribute to Greg Nichols, who remains on the Board as a Director. “Greg has made an outstanding contribution as Chairman, particularly over the last 16 months dealing with the many challenges our industry has faced due to the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19.

“After more than four years away from administration, I can see how much more our industry can achieve with strong interstate relationships and collaboration,” he added. “I look forward to working with all the Principal Racing Authorities, the Directors and Racing Australia's Executive for the benefit of everyone who works and invests in the Australian thoroughbred industry.”

The Racing Australia Board will meet in mid-July and in the meantime will continue to deliver key industry services and leadership across its Breeding and Racing operations.

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Former Newmarket-Based Trainer Ed Vaughan Scores First U.S. Win

Former European-based trainer Ed Vaughan recorded his first win in North America on Sunday when front-running Alnaseem (GB) captured a $104,000 conditioned allowance event at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Alnaseem, who was ridden to a 3 ¾-length victory on the Matt Winn Turf Course by Adam Beschizza, was Vaughan's ninth starter in the U.S.

“We got over to the U.S. in November and have been stabled at Keeneland since then,” Vaughan said. “In (Alnaseem's) stateside-debut, she ran as we expected. She was training well but had to get used to learning how horses run here being quicker from the gates.”

Beschizza and Vaughan have teamed up several times in Europe prior to Beschizza moving his tack to the U.S. in late 2017. The 28-year-old Beschizza used to be Vaughan's primary stable jockey in Europe.

Vaughan took out his trainer's license in 2004 and was based at Newmarket until his move to Keeneland in 2020. He spent four years working in the U.S. after graduating from the Irish National Stud course. He served as the assistant trainer to Noel Chance prior to joining forces with the late Alec Stewart. Vaughan started training on his own following Stewart's death in 2004, eventually moving his stable to Newmarket in 2011.

In Europe, Vaughan campaigned multiple Group 2 winner Dame Malliot and Group 3 winner Robin Hoods Bay (GB).

“The Kentucky circuit is a good place to be based,” Vaughan said. “Being at Keeneland it gives you the option to ship to many tracks around the area including Churchill Downs.”

For more information on Vaughan, fans can follow him on his Twitter at @edvaughan1.

The post Former Newmarket-Based Trainer Ed Vaughan Scores First U.S. Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Vercruysse, Lugo To Host Paddock Show During Arizona Downs Meet

The return of horse racing at Arizona Downs gets an added dose of excitement with longtime racing analyst Aaron Vercruysse agreeing to serve as paddock host during the 2021 summer race season.

Vercruysse hosts the nationally syndicated “Post Time Radio” show and previously served as the on-air host and race analyst at Santa Anita Park in California. The University of Arizona graduate will be joined as the track's paddock host by current U of A student and Arizona Downs intern Giselle Lugo.

“I am such a big fan of Arizona Downs and what this track means for the future of Arizona horse racing, I was ecstatic when I was asked to do this,” Vercruysse said. “I'm very happy and excited to be part of the return of racing here.”

Vercruysse, who began his horse racing career as an intern with the Stronach Group and rose to the executive ranks, said he was also drawn to the position thanks to the role of track general manager Mike Weiss, a longtime supporter of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. That relationship resulted in Lugo landing an internship with the track. An Arizona native, she is an animal science and law major who is on the Dean's List and previously served in an internship at Rillito Park in Tucson.

“The work Mike does with the school is such a positive influence and this is a way to give back,” he said. “It's important for these students to get hands-on experience and learn the industry as they find what it is they want to do.”

Verycruysse will provide analysis of races every Tuesday and Wednesday for the race season which lasts through September. His radio show can be heard locally at 8 a.m. Saturdays on Fox Sports 910.

Arizona Downs is being managed this season by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), a leader in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry.

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