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Grayson Grass Challenge Returns to Horseshoe Indianapolis Aug. 1

The Grayson Grass Challenge–a five-week handicapping contest to raise money for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, returns to Horseshoe Indianapolis for the fourth time beginning Aug. 1 and continuing through Aug. 31.

Participants in the challenge submit selections on two specified races held each week at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Each contestant will be given a $500 bankroll provided by Horseshoe Indianapolis from which participants can make win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. At the end of the five weeks, all remaining bankrolls, plus winnings from the contestants will go to Grayson.

“Since its inception three years ago, the Grayson Grass Challenge has been a highlight for Horseshoe Indianapolis by attracting engagement in our races and drawing attention to the crucial work Grayson does,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of Racing for Horseshoe Indianapolis. “We are proud to sponsor this contest again and raise money for research that helps all horses.”

The field for the Grayson Grass Challenge will consist of the following handicappers: Brian Arrigoni, paddock analyst, Horseshoe Indianapolis; Ed DeRosa, vice president, Content & Product Development, Horse Racing Nation; Scott Ehlers, handicapper, Daily Racing Form; Nick Luck, international racing broadcaster; Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst and production manager, Horseshoe Indianapolis; Ellis Starr, national racing analyst for Equibase; Jenna Otten, Caesars Entertainment Racing analyst; and Daniel Tordjman, manager, Partnerships & Sponsorships, America's Best Racing.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1940, the foundation has provided more than $40 million to fund more than 426 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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Churchill to Renovate Jockey Club Suites Before 2024 Derby

Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) will “update and refresh” the Jockey Club Suites at the Louisville oval in a $14-million renovation, the company announced late Wednesday. The modernization project will be finished prior to the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

“The Jockey Club Suites are a core premium hospitality product,” said Churchill President Mike Anderson. “This renovation project will ensure existing and future suite holders are provided the entertainment experience Churchill Downs is known for and our guests have come to expect for Kentucky Derby Week and all other racing events.”

All 61 suites, common spaces, dining rooms, and restrooms located on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors as part of the area are included in the renovation. Originally constructed in 2004, the Jockey Club Suites seat approximately 2,500 guests and also serve as a premium rentable space for special events throughout the year.

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Ortiz Returns After Friday’s Spill…and Wins Three

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Jose Ortiz's return to competition at Saratoga Race Course Wednesday was very rewarding with three victories…and taxing.

Ortiz was unseated and fell hard to the ground when his horse clipped heels in the first race of Friday's card. He was sent to Albany Medical Center where he was found to have bruised ribs. Ortiz took off his mounts Saturday and Sunday and was ready to ride again Wednesday, the start of the third week of the meet.

In his comeback, Ortiz won with three of his five mounts. All of the wins were for leading trainer Linda Rice: Ichiban (Street Sense) in the sixth, Amanda's Folly (Mendelssohn) in the eighth and Indian Mischief (Into Mischief) in the 10th. Indian Mischief came out in the stretch and appeared to interfere with runner-up He's a Lucky Guy (Street Boss), but the stewards did not change the order of finish.

Ortiz has 11 victories at Saratoga this summer and has ridden eight of Rice's 13 winners. They were the leading jockey and trainer at the spring meet at Belmont Park.

Ortiz and Ichiban Wednesday | Sarah Andrew

After willing Ichiban to win the sixth race by a head with a hard ride through the stretch, Ortiz took part in the post-race winner's circle photographs, did a television interview and–clearly needing a breather–sat down.

“I feel better,” he said. “This filly made me a little bit tired. I had to ride her a lot, but I'm just glad to be back.”

Ortiz said he got on horses Sunday and Wednesday mornings and was no longer dealing with pain from the injuries.

“I'm pretty good about the ribs,” he said. “Just a little bit winded now. She was very lazy today.”

Ortiz was aboard for Ichiban's maiden-breaking seven-furlong victory on July 15, when she was up on the pace. In the mile and an eighth, two-turn race Wednesday, she was four lengths behind the leader at the top of the stretch and looked beaten. Ortiz pushed her and she responded.

“I was a little bit worried because the other horse opened up on me,” he said, “but I'm just glad we got there first.”

Ortiz came off Same Old Fears (Uncle Mo) near the finish of the program opener Friday. He stayed on the ground for several minutes, was helped to his feet and was able to walk off the course. At that point, it appeared that he might have some serious injuries.

“I was feeling a lot of pain when I left here, so I thought I cracked a rib or something,” he said. “I'm just happy to be back.”

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Five Join Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Four horses and one horseman will join the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Remington Park Sept. 23. The first inductees to the hall since 2017 include Danny Caldwell, the all-time leading owner by wins at Remington Park with 421 entering the 2023 season. Among Caldwell's claims who went on to win stakes at Remington are Fifth Date, Dont Tell Nobody, Rated R Superstar and Eurobond.

“In 2001, I was coaching Panama High School in the state softball championships at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, a couple of furlongs from Remington Park,” Caldwell said upon learning of his Hall of Fame inclusion. “I really got going with horse racing right after that. I would have never thought, that just over 20 years later, I would be going into the Hall of Fame at Remington. I am truly honored.”

Equine entrants into the hall are led by Remington Park all-time wins leader Welder (The Visualizer), who won 16 races at the oval and earned over $1.2 million during his racing career from 2015-2021. Welder also holds the record for most stakes wins at Remington with 11.

Joining him in the hall of fame are: Shotgun Kowboy (Kodiak Kowboy), winner of the 2015 Oklahoma Derby and a record four Oklahoma Classics Cups; Slide Show (Slewacide), winner of 11 consecutive Remington Park races from 1993 to 1995, including seven stakes races; and fan favorite Darrell Darrell (Boca Rio).

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