People | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Almost Like Starting Over’: Jockey Emanuel Nieves Working His Way Back From Injury

Several former leading riders will be gunning for a repeat title this year at Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., including Emanuel Nieves.

The 27-year-old Nieves was born in Puerto Rico and learned his craft at Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school near San Juan. It is a two-year program that has produced some of the top riders in North America, including Eclipse Award winning jockey Irad Ortiz and his brother, Jose.

Nieves made his riding debut in 2012 at Finger Lakes in New York, but Louisiana has been his circuit for the past three years. He credits his agent, Ronald Ardoin for his success as the former jockey works very hard and has solid relationships with pretty much every trainer in the region.

He was the leading rider at Harrah's Louisiana Downs in 2018, winning 85 races, but last year was much tougher. He was injured in a spill during the second week of the meet and underwent surgery. His recovery took over four months before he was cleared to ride. The remainder of the year was very challenging as he had to rebuild his business.

“It was very hard to get back,” admitted Nieves. “Many of my trainers had secured other riders at Evangeline Downs. It was almost like starting over.”

However, the support from many horsemen returned and Nieves is healthy and was ready when the Harrah's Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season began on Saturday, June 6. He showed his prowess in the saddle winning the final race of the card with Leadem Farm Inc's Friendlyproduction. The 3-year-old colt by Run Production was making his debut for trainer Joseph Smith. Smith had no expectations as the $10,000 purchase had not been showing much in his morning works.

“I just told Emanuel that I wasn't sure what we had, but to just figure it out,” said Smith.

In the early stages the Louisiana-bred was well behind the early pacesetters, but Nieves patiently guided his colt to the outside and drew off to a resounding eight-length victory. His morning line was 12-1, but he was completely overlooked in the wagering and returned $86 to those savvy handicappers that saw his potential!

Smith, who was an assistant in Texas to trainer Danny Pish until he went on his own in 2013, credits Nieves for a very patient ride on Friendlyproduction.

“Truthfully, I don't know how many other riders would have done as well,” added Smith. “They might just have given up, but not Emanuel! I have a small stable, so a win like that means a great deal to me and my owners.”

Friendlyproduction is entered back on Monday, June 22 and Nieves will have the return call at odds of 9-2.

Nieves is grateful to all the horsemen who continue to give him opportunities and does not dwell on the misfortune of 2019. Healthy and a proud new daddy to his 8-month-old son, Ian, he is more focused this year than ever. He strives to work hard in the mornings, win races in the afternoon and spend quality time with his wife and son.

“It's not how you start, but how you finish,” said Nieves.

The post ‘Almost Like Starting Over’: Jockey Emanuel Nieves Working His Way Back From Injury appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Billy Turner, Trainer Of Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew, Recovering From Broken Neck

Trainer Billy Turner, best known for his masterful handling of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, suffered a freak accident in April that left him in the hospital with a broken neck, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. The 80-year-old retired from racing in 2016, but was mowing around the Ocala Jockey Club in Reddick, Fla., when he ran over a branch that struck him in the back of the neck.

Once hospitalized, Turner discovered he also had prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. The hit to his head also caused a brain injury. After surgery to repair his neck and nearly two months in the hospital, Turner was finally released to head home. Doctors are focusing on the neck and brain injuries before they are able to treat the cancer.

“He's doing remarkably well and his mental state is surprisingly good,” his wife, Patti Turner, told the Thoroughbred Daily News. “His injury was way more serious than just a broken neck. He was in rehab for four, five weeks learning to walk. He had a serious injury to his brain. His brain wasn't communicating with his body for balance and he even lost his ability to swallow. He has recovered from that. He can talk and eat. We started the GoFundMe campaign because he needs serious professional nursing care in the home to get over this hump. If he can get several months of really good care we think he can move forward.”

A friend and neighbor, Rick Wallace, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Turner cover his ongoing medical expenses.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post Billy Turner, Trainer Of Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew, Recovering From Broken Neck appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Auction Of Marylou Whitney Gowns, Accessories To Benefit Saratoga Backstretch Workers

The legacy of Marylou Whitney, known to many as the “Queen of Saratoga,” continues on. The Albany Times-Union reported this week that an upcoming auction of 1,500 of Whitney's gowns, hats, and other accessories, as well as her Jaguar sedan, will be held to benefit the backstretch workers at Saratoga.

A date has not been announced for the auction, but a preview of included items will be available beginning Wednesday at www.marylouwhitneycollection.com.

Whitney's husband, John Hendrickson, said proceeds from a Sotheby's sale of her designer jewelry and paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings last year were used to pay estate taxes. This sale will benefit a cause that was long near and dear to her heart. Hendrickson is hopeful the auction will raise enough money to aid in the construction of a permanent structure on the Saratoga backstretch to house the backstretch workers' health clinic. Currently, the clinic is stationed in a trailer.

Whitney died last July at the age of 93.

Ever-Consistent Antonio Gallardo Scores Fifth Leading Rider Title At Tampa Bay Downs

For two days, Antonio Gallardo tried to ride through the pain in his right knee. But after finishing second aboard 4-year-old filly Olendon in his sixth assignment on May 30 at Tampa Bay Downs, he knew the risk of doing more serious damage demanded he seek medical attention.

The diagnosis wasn't really a surprise: a small fracture that would heal with rest and treatment. The 32-year-old jockey has set his sights on returning to action at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, which starts its 75th season on July 3.

“I'm using laser therapy and a lot of ice and swimming in the pool,” said Gallardo. “I'll have to decide what to do after I see the doctor again on June 24, but I'm trying hard to be ready for that first weekend.”

Gallardo will head to Monmouth with his fifth Tampa Bay Downs riding title in seven seasons. He rode 122 winners during the 2019-2020 meeting, 23 more than six-time champion Daniel Centeno, who has moved his tack to Delaware Park. Last year's champion, Samy Camacho, in third place with 96 winners, is at Gulfstream Park.

Gallardo, who has also won four titles at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., holds the Oldsmar single-season record of 147 victories, set during the 2014-2015 meeting. The product of Jerez de la Frontera in Cadiz, Spain has ridden 1,916 winners in the United States, finishing second in the country in 2015 and 2016 with 320 and 332 victories, respectively.

“Every title feels good. My first one (2013-2014) was really special, because I remember how slow I started in this country and how good it felt to break out,” Gallardo said. “But when you win one or two titles, the difficult part is staying on top. The only way you stay there is to try your best every day and be good to everybody.”

Although he did not win a stakes race here this season, Gallardo's day-in, day-out consistency helped him surpass Camacho for the track's money-leading crown. His mounts earned $1,626,842, $4,592 more than Camacho, who won the Grade II, $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 on King Guillermo.

Gallardo's 22.8-percent strike rate was also best among all jockeys with 10 or more mounts. On Jan. 19, he rode five winners on a Tampa Bay Downs card for the fifth time, and he tied a track record on April 29 by teaming with trainer Claude “Shug” McGaughey, III on three victories.

“It was weird that I didn't win a stakes, but you can't be greedy,” said Gallardo, who won five stakes during the 2018-2019 Oldsmar meeting and has eight career graded-stakes victories, including the Grade I United Nations Stakes in 2018 at Monmouth on Funtastic. “Every season is different with new jockeys and new trainers, and I feel good with what happened.

“I'm thankful to the trainers and grooms and exercise riders who help me, and to my agent, Mike Moran, for getting me on good horses. And everyone at the track who has done a real good job dealing with (COVID-19).”

Gallardo, who lives with his wife Polliana and their children – 11-year-old Carlos and 6-year-old Christa – on a nearby farm, has felt the effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic beyond his profession and home life. His parents, sister, grandmother and numerous other relatives live in Spain, one of the countries hardest hit by the virus.

“That has made it a rough time not only for me, but for a lot of people,” said Gallardo, who visited his homeland last fall. “I worry about my family staying safe and wish for everyone to be responsible because (the virus) is still here.”

Putting the brakes on a career, and a lifestyle that brings one into contact with top Thoroughbred owners and trainers, isn't easy for a world-class jockey. But Gallardo plans to take his next steps with confidence once he receives medical clearance and is able to compete at 100 percent.

The post Ever-Consistent Antonio Gallardo Scores Fifth Leading Rider Title At Tampa Bay Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post