People | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jockey Pablo Morales Celebrates 2,000th Winner With Family, Friends Present In Spirit

Despite winning on 4-year-old filly Dreaming Diamonds on March 20, Pablo Morales knew something wasn't right with the left foot he'd injured six days earlier in a starting-gate mishap.

An X-ray revealed a break, sending the 31-year-old jockey to the sidelines for seven weeks.

At the time, Morales was four victories shy of 2,000 for his career. He rode one race on May 8, but quickly realized he had not recovered sufficiently to compete at the level to which he is accustomed.

Determined to reach 2,000 before the current Tampa Bay Downs meeting ended, Morales set his mind to the task.

“I dedicated myself for 10 days to strengthening the area, jogging a lot and doing a lot of Equicizer work,” he said, referring to the mechanical horse controlled by a rider's movement.

“When I came back (on June 3), I felt such a difference.”

Two dates extensions granted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation made it possible for Morales to hit the milestone at Tampa Bay Downs, and he made the most of his opportunity. The Lima, Peru product hit the mark in today's second race, a mile-and-a-sixteenth maiden special weight contest on the turf, on 4-year-old filly Sanguine for owner Augustin Stable and trainer Jonathan Thomas.

After racing in fourth place early, Sanguine and Morales moved smartly to the lead nearing the far turn and held off a late challenge from Aunt Dorothy to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths. Sanguine paid $4.60 to win as the betting favorite. “I knew she was the best horse in the race,” Morales said of the daughter of Quality Road. “I'm glad (Thomas) put the confidence in me to ride her.”

The occasion was recognized with a ceremony that included his rival jockeys in the winner's circle after the race.

“”It's a big accomplishment to me, because when I started. … you never think you're going to even make it to 1,000. Making it to 2,000, it's hard to believe,” Morales said. “I've been thinking about it a long time and it's not an easy task, so I'm very proud and I'm very thankful for all the help I've gotten through my career. I just want to keep on going.”

He got a good start in that regard in the fifth race, helping 3-year-old filly Leishlanick break her maiden for owner Wills Jarrett and trainer Angel M. Rodriguez.

Given the circumstances surrounding his injury and the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic that has affected all aspects of daily life, Morales accepted achieving the feat in front of an empty grandstand, with his wife Erin and their two children, agent Paula Bacon and other relatives and friends watching from home.

“It definitely would have been sweeter with them here, but I really waited too long. I couldn't care less if I was the only person here,” he said, laughing.

But they were foremost in his thoughts beforehand and afterward. “Paula has made a big difference in my career, and I think I have made a difference in hers,” he said. “We are a great team. I give all the thanks to my wife, my parents and my brothers and sister, and my kids (Sophia and Camilo), who watch me every race. My parents are in town with me, so we'll go buy a steak after the races and celebrate a little.”

Morales, a five-time riding champion at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., plans to return there for the meeting beginning July 27.

Morales is fourth in the 2019-2020 Oldsmar standings with 61 victories. He has won two graded stakes, capturing the Grade II Super Derby in 2005 at Louisiana Downs on The Daddy and the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes here last year on Well Defined.

The post Jockey Pablo Morales Celebrates 2,000th Winner With Family, Friends Present In Spirit appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Kirkpatrick & Co Presents In Their Care: Longtime Volunteer At Old Friends Has Staying Power

June Shaw has long been fascinated by Thoroughbreds, and she has shared her passion by leading tours at Saratoga Race Course for more than 30 years. One horse always stood out for her – Thunder Rumble.

The aptly-named New York-bred was, indeed, ready to rumble on and off the track. When Shaw would lead a group past trainer Richard O'Connell's barn, she would delight in observing that Thunder Rumble typically required two handlers. One did not stand a chance.

On the track, the combination of his innate strength and his imposing will allowed him to develop into one of the most formidable New York-breds in history. In 1992, before a devoted following at Saratoga Race Course, he captured the Jim Dandy as a prelude to becoming the first New York-bred to win the Travers since 1867.

“He was hyper and hard to control,” Shaw said. “But when he went to work, boy, he went to work.”

We do not know about the hyper and hard to control aspect. But when Shaw, 75, goes to work, boy, she goes to work. Of the 45 volunteers overseeing 15 retired horses at Old Friends' satellite farm in upstate New York – Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division – no one sets a brisker pace or is more dedicated than Shaw.

“She is my hero, really. I look up to her in every way. I hope and pray when I'm 75, I'm doing what June is doing,” said JoAnn Pepper, who operates Old Friends at Cabin Creek with her husband, Mark.

Shaw, all 5'5″, 106 pounds of her, was drawn by Thunder Rumble to the tranquil retirement facility that is a short drive from Saratoga Race Course. The nearly-black stallion arrived in 2009 as one of the first retirees to be placed there. He never failed to flex his muscles until the day he died of complications due to colic in January 2015. He was 26.

The opportunity to work with Thunder Rumble helped to attract Shaw to Old Friends at Cabin Creek. She and her husband, Ron, had given their all to raising three children — Tim, Ben and Samantha. Her 25-year career as a school bus driver was over. She felt she had more to give. So why not give it to Thunder Rumble and others?

“I think it was going to be twice a week,” Pepper said. “But she ended up coming every day.”

Shaw prepares the all-important carrots for retirees

Almost instantly, a visitor is struck by the importance of aftercare and how essential each volunteer is.

“They are like the blood force of it all because there is such intense care that the horses get every day,” Pepper said. “We check them all over.”

Shaw proved to be an immediate asset. She understands the intricacies of equine care through her long-term ownership and love affair with Patrick, a retired Quarter Horse who is now 33. She finds a way to connect with most horses. With Thunder Rumble, she quickly learned to give him his space.

“He used to chase me out of the paddock,” she said, happy to have such memories.

Shaw finds every hour she gives to be rewarding, knowing each retiree has been spared the terror of the slaughterhouse.

“I've been to auctions. I know the people are there to take them to where I don't want them to go,” she said. “It's nasty. They stuff them into vans and it's just an awful thing.”

The pandemic did not stop Shaw and others who give so willingly of their time from mucking stalls and tending to the retirees' many needs.

“All of us were thrilled to be here during the awful pandemic,” she said. “At least we are able to get out and be where we want to be.”

Pepper is proud of the way everything continued to operate seamlessly. Masks were worn, distance was maintained and the volunteers proved that it is possible to work safely.

“We kept each other healthy through this whole thing,” Pepper said. “Nobody has even gotten a cold.”

Shaw hard at work at Old Friends Cabin Creek

Something succeeded at slowing down Shaw. Thankfully, it had nothing to do with COVID-19. Although she was wearing cleats, she slipped on ice in January and broke her right wrist as she attempted to brace herself during the fall. She wore a cast for six weeks and only recently shed a brace.

Even then, she continued to report for unpaid duty, handling as many chores as she could with her good hand. The injury raised the question of how much longer Shaw can continue.

“I have today. Who knows what tomorrow brings?” she said. “I want to live in the day. It works for my head.”

The post Kirkpatrick & Co Presents In Their Care: Longtime Volunteer At Old Friends Has Staying Power appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Keeneland Names Dr. Stuart E. Brown II As Equine Safety Director

Keeneland officials announced today that Dr. Stuart E. Brown II, who cared for an international clientele during his nearly 30-year career with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, will join Keeneland full time as Equine Safety Director.

“Dr. Stuart Brown is uniquely talented for the position of Equine Safety Director and to be a leader in enhancing safety practices at Keeneland and throughout racing,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “During his career, his knowledge and expertise have been sought by horsemen around the world and by top industry and veterinary organizations alike. Stuart's addition to the Keeneland team further deepens our commitment to the safety and welfare of horse and rider, and his position provides a platform that will benefit the entire horse industry.”

As Equine Safety Director, Dr. Brown will lead the effort to develop, communicate and enforce safety and integrity policies for both racing and sales operations; review all racing-related accidents with the goal of prevention; assess relevant equine health and safety research; and proactively communicate best practices to the racing community and public. His duties will encompass both Keeneland and The Thoroughbred Center.

“During my veterinary career, I have had the great fortune to work with some of the most dedicated horsemen and women in our industry,” Dr. Brown said. “I am proudest of these relationships, and those with my colleagues and the team at Hagyard, with whom I have collaborated to provide exemplary care to every horse touched along the way. Most recently, I have had the benefit of serving in several roles in racing alongside many of my racetrack practitioner colleagues, which has allowed me to gain an appreciation for their unique perspectives in the care of the racehorse. It is these experiences shared over time that form the foundation for me to embrace this new and exciting role as Keeneland's Equine Safety Director.”

During his nearly 30-year practice with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute (formerly Hagyard-Davidson-McGee), first as an intern then as an associate veterinarian and a partner, Dr. Brown has specialized in equine reproduction and ambulatory medicine. With a primary focus on Thoroughbreds, his areas of concentration included equine reproduction, foal evaluations, private/public purchase evaluations, herd health and preventative medicine, federally required import/export protocols and issues affecting the welfare and safety of equine racing athletes.

“Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is excited to support Dr. Brown in his new position as Equine Safety Director at Keeneland,” Dr. Ernie Martinez with Hagyard said. “Dr. Brown has been an integral part of Hagyard's history and success since he started as an intern in 1991, and with the support of the Hagyard veterinary team, he has cared for some of our sports' most successful racehorses.

“We at Hagyard know Dr. Brown will bring his diverse network of connections and his experience as a veterinarian and as a horse owner to his new position,” Martinez said. “We look forward to seeing the positive changes and innovation he can drive in our industry.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Brown has mentored many veterinarians, served on numerous industry and veterinary boards and committees and represented veterinarians and horses on a national level.

Dr. Brown's memberships and affiliations include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA), Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners (KAEP), Society for Theriogenology and Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club.

His recent appointments include serving as Chairman of the Gluck Equine Research Foundation, Trustee for the AVMA Insurance Trust, AAEP Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates, Director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (KTOB), Member of the AAEP's Public Policy and Welfare Council, AAEP Liaison to the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, Board Chairman of the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory and a Member of The Jockey Club.

Dr. Brown previously served as a Commissioner for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), Chairman of the KHRC's Equine Drug Research Council and President of the KVMA, as well as a committee member of the AAEP Racing Committee (and Subcommittee Chair for Issues Pertaining to the Horse Racing Integrity Act) and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Advisory Committee.

Born and raised in Central Kentucky, Dr. Brown completed his undergraduate work at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University. He also owns and operates a Thoroughbred breeding, racing and sport horse farm in Versailles, Kentucky.

The post Keeneland Names Dr. Stuart E. Brown II As Equine Safety Director appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

From Gator To Gatorade: Backstretch Café Working Overtime To Serve Indiana Grand

The Backstretch Café at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino has long been a staple for horsemen and horsewomen working in the barn area. Earlier this spring, new safety measures were put in place to follow Covid-19 state restrictions, which altered the business model of the restaurant, located at the entrance to the barn area.

Backstretch Café Food and Beverage Supervisor Melissa Ruddick jumped into action and came up with a plan to serve those who work in the barn area. All she needed was a Gator and some Gatorade to get started.

“We wanted to find a way to continue to serve all the people that work both in the barn area and in our track maintenance department because it's difficult for them to leave and go off property to get food and drinks when they are working,” said Ruddick. “So, we began preparing portable options. We provide service six days a week and now make three rounds on race days to accommodate everyone.”

Ruddick, along with Kayla Dudley, start before morning training hours get underway. Their day begins at 5:30 a.m. and they travel by Gator from barn to barn, offering everything from breakfast sandwiches to cold drinks and hot coffee. Their breakfast service continues until approximately 10 a.m. before they head back to the Café and begin preparing lunch. Pre-packaged sandwiches are put together and the ladies follow the same process through the barns with a flat price of $5, which includes a food item and drink.

“We try to have a few different specials every day for breakfast and lunch,” added Ruddick. “We have even created bags for each order that already includes disposable utensils, condiments, and napkins so it's easy for them to carry. We are cash only to make the process as quick as possible and to avoid as much contact as possible to follow restrictions.”

Ruddick and Dudley make one final swing through the barn area after racing begins at 2:20 p.m. and wrap up their day around 5 p.m., giving participants during the afternoon racing card the opportunity to grab something before or after a race. Once the delivery day is complete, they go through all safety procedures to ensure everything has been sanitized and is ready to go for the next day's deliveries.

“Melissa and Kayla have a sincere care for our horsemen and employees and this service has been very well received, “ said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “The pandemic has forced us into thinking differently about a lot of things which includes how we serve food while following strict protocols in the barn area. We're lucky to have such a wonderful Food and Beverage Team.”

The post From Gator To Gatorade: Backstretch Café Working Overtime To Serve Indiana Grand appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post