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McLaughlin Returns To Louisville In New Role To Chase Elusive Derby Win With Godolphin

Longtime trainer-turned-jockey agent Kiaran McLaughlin has an extra special rooting interest in this year's Kentucky Derby. Not only does he represent Luis Saez, the jockey seeking his first garland of roses (for the second time) aboard morning-line favorite Essential Quality, but he also has more than a quarter century-long association with that colt's owner/breeder, Godolphin.

“Of course, I'm pulling for Godolphin and it's easy to pull for Luis because I work for him and he's such a great kid,” McLaughlin told Alicia Hughes of TVG's Horse Racing Insider this week. “Godolphin is a special story if they could win this race. It's a huge team and a great team here in America that basically I worked with for about 25 years, so it is special to think we're there and have a big chance. And it would be very special for Luis being that he won (the Derby) two years ago but didn't get to keep it (when Maximum Security was disqualified for interference). That was very difficult.”

McLaughlin stepped away from training horses full time 13 months ago, when Saez' agent Richard DePass retired. McLaughlin, now 60, struggled with the rising cost of business in his home base of New York, as well as workforce issues, and said the decision to leaving training for the jockey agent's role was an easy one.

As a trainer in the Kentucky Derby, McLaughlin's best finish was a fourth with Frosted in 2015. With Saez' mount on Essential Quality, this could be the year that both McLaughlin and the global racing operation Godolphin both get their first win in the Run for the Roses.

Read more at TVG's Horse Racing Insider.

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Evin Roman Named Jockey Of The Week For Stakes Triple At Golden Gate

As one of only three jockeys to win multiple stakes races, Evin A. Roman was named Jockey of the Week for April 19 through April 25. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Riding regularly at Golden Gate Fields, Roman had mounts in seven of the eight stakes races during Gold Rush Weekend.

On Saturday's card, trainer Jonathan Wong gave a leg up to Roman on Stalking Shadow in the California Derby for 3-year-olds going a mile and one-sixteenth on Tapeta. Stalking Shadow went off at odds of 7-1 and paid $16.20 for the win stopping the clock in 1:45.22. Also on Saturday, Southern California trainer Peter Miller shipped Anyportinastorm to Golden Gate Fields for the Lost in the Fog Stakes with Roman in the irons. Roman and Anyportinastorm stalked the pacesetter Bettor Trip Nick before taking control at the quarter pole to post a 2-1/2 length win in the six furlong contest for 3-year-olds and up on Tapeta paying $12.60.

The nightcap on Sunday once again teamed Peter Miller and Evin A. Roman with the favorite None Above the Law in the Silky Sullivan Stakes. Originally scheduled for one mile on the turf, weather conditions forced it to run at one mile on Tapeta. Roman settled None Above the Law at the back of the field, made a wide sweeping run to prevail by 2-3/4 lengths over his 10 rivals in a final time of 1:36.75.

“I want to thank all of the trainers, the owners, my agent Leo (Rodriguez) for their support,” said Roman. “It was a great weekend. It felt very good to win three stakes. The horses ran very well.”

A graduate of the famous Escuela La Vocacional Hipica jockey school in Puerto Rico, Roman won the 2017 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice and is a multiple leading rider at tracks in California.

Roman's weekly stats were 23-6-4-5 for a 26% win percentage and 65.2% in-the-money percentage.

Total purse earnings were $226,400. He is currently in second place in the Golden Gate Fields standings just two behind meet leader Kyle Frey.

Roman out polled fellow jockeys Kyle Frey who also won three stakes races at Golden Gate Fields, Stewart Elliott who led all riders in wins with 10, Jose L. Ortiz who led all jockeys by purse earnings and Umberto Rispoli who won two stakes races at Santa Anita.

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African American Contributions To Horse Racing Recognized Ahead Of Kentucky Derby 147

On Monday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed a proclamation naming April 25 – May 1 Ed Brown Society Week in the commonwealth, recognizing African Americans' contributions to horse racing ahead of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby.

“In the 1800s and early 1900s, the majority of jockeys were African Americans. But, despite their centuries of contributions, after World War I, African Americans were pushed out of the sport,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am proud to recognize the Ed Brown Society, an organization helping right this wrong by providing mentorship to the next generation of African American Kentuckians in the horseracing industry.”

The Ed Brown Society is named after Edward D. Brown, who was born into slavery in Lexington in 1850, but through his tenacity and love of the sport developed into one of the most accomplished African American horsemen in the history of Thoroughbred racing.

Brown was sold at age seven to a proprietor of the horse farm Woodburn Stud in Woodford County. Brown had a small boyhood stature, but gained a vast knowledge of horses, which afforded him the opportunity to become a jockey in his early teens.

At 14, Brown won his first race on a horse named Asteroid. A year later, Brown was emancipated. He continued to work at Woodburn Stud until the proprietor's death in 1867. Afterwards, Brown built his career as a top jockey and trainer until he saved enough money to establish his own racing stable, where he owned and trained a number of stakes winners.

Brown's most distinguished career highlights include two standout victories: He rode Kingfisher to win the fourth running of the Belmont Stakes in 1870, and led Baden-Baden as a trainer in 1877 to win the third running of the Kentucky Derby.

Brown's important role in thoroughbred racing was confirmed with his 1984 induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

The Ed Brown Society was recently established to celebrate the rich history of African Americans in the equine industry as well as to create opportunities for young African American Kentuckians.

“At the Ed Brown Society, in our past, we want to acknowledge and educate about the wonderful history of African Americans in horse racing in our great state,” said Ray Daniels, chief executive officer of Equity Solutions Group and president of the Ed Brown Society. “In the present day, we want to highlight the great jobs and opportunities in the equine industry. We've been successful in guiding 30 African Americans into horse ownership in the past few years. And the future for us is to educate young students to make these opportunities in the industry a reality.”

The society aims to increase diversity in thoroughbred racing and its support professions, helping more people pursue a career they are passionate about, and at the same time, helping the equine industry reach its full potential. For example, as of 2018, African Americans comprised 13.4% of the U.S. population, but made up only 1.7% of veterinary employment, a statistic the society wants to help improve.

Through partnerships with industry stakeholders and educational institutions, the Ed Brown Society has the opportunity to ensure the horseracing industry is well-positioned culturally and economically to create a stronger, more diverse pipeline of talent for the future.

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Churchill Downs Partners With ‘Mattress Mack’ To Host Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative

Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today a new partnership with Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale that will welcome nearly 300 representatives from Kentucky's foster care sector as guests to the Kentucky Derby.

The first-ever Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative connects McIngvale's passion for the life-changing work made possible through the foster care system with Churchill Downs' Louisville nonprofit partners, Maryhurst and Boys & Girls Haven, who locally provide those social services.

McIngvale is a native of Texas and is well-known for using his high-stakes bets on sports as creative marketing promotions for his Houston-based mattress and furniture store, Gallery Furniture. His commitment to foster care work was inspired by his recently-adopted grandson, Brodie, in June 2019. His daughter Laura McIngvale Brown and her husband Phil Brown officially welcomed Brodie into their family after serving as foster parents.

“I have seen firsthand the importance of foster care and Brodie has been a true joy in my life,” McIngvale shared. “I'm thrilled to partner through Churchill Downs with these Louisville nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to help children and families thrive. I couldn't be happier to help provide them the opportunity to enjoy this year's Kentucky Derby.”

Churchill Downs will be working with long-time charitable partners Maryhurst and Boys & Girls Haven to identify foster parents, alumni and social service workers and staff in the industry to host for the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby.

“We are always excited for the opportunity to use the unforgettable experience of the Kentucky Derby as a platform for good,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack president Mike Anderson. “It's incredibly rewarding when we can combine our charitable goals with a partner like Mattress Mack and give back to those in our community who, through their work or volunteerism, make our city and our world a better place.”

Maryhurst, Kentucky's oldest child-serving nonprofit organization, works to prevent abuse, restore hope and empower survivors of trauma and abuse. Maryhurst provides community-based counseling and wellbeing services, residential treatment and community and transitional living support.

“We are so grateful for our long standing partnership with Churchill Downs,” said Micah Jorrisch, vice president of external relations for Maryhurst. “This generous donation from Mattress Mack has presented a wonderful chance to recognize professionals and foster families who work tirelessly to ensure that every child in Kentucky has the opportunity to thrive.”

Boys & Girls Haven is a nonprofit transforming the lives of abandoned, abused and neglected children. Their programs include in-home foster care, residential foster care, transitional living, independence readiness and Haven family services.

“For over 70 years, we have provided a home and a future for our community's most vulnerable young people,” said Amanda Masterson, CEO of Boys and Girls Haven. “We are proud to be a part of the Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative; we are grateful for the support and ongoing partnership with Churchill Downs.”

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