Home, Sweet (Woodbine) Home For Antonio Gallardo

Antonio Gallardo didn't need to say a word to let it be known he felt right at home.

First came the victory, the one aboard Diabolic in the My Dear Stakes on July 31, then came the winning walk to the Woodbine winner's circle, and then came the ear-to-ear smile.

He duplicated the feat – and same expression – the following day when he guided Queen's Plate-bound Avoman to a score in the Plate Trial.

The jockey from Jerez de la Frontera, in Cadiz, Spain, who had just started riding at Canada's Showplace of Racing, was in familiar territory.

“I like Woodbine,” said the 34-year-old. “I like it a lot. The racetrack, the facility, the people – everyone and everything is very nice. Obviously, I was very happy to have success in the Plate Trial and the day before with Mark Casse's filly. They are two very good horses and it was nice to win with them.”

Winning races is nothing new for Gallardo, even if it didn't start out that way nearly 13 years ago.

Although didn't hit the board when he launched his life in the irons in the U.S. with a single mount on New Year's Eve in 2008, success would soon come.

A modest seven-win campaign in 2009 was followed by seasons of 41, 31 and 42 victories.

It was in 2013, however, when Gallardo established himself as a rider on the rise, his confidence and win total hitting stride simultaneously.

With the first 100-win campaign (101, to be exact) in the U.S. under his saddle, business and opportunities flourished, with one of the highlights coming aboard 14-1 Flatter in the 2013 Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Gallardo has excelled in the Sunshine State over the years.

To date, he counts five riding championships at Tampa, and is the track's single-season record holder with 147 winners, established in 2014-15.

He also has four riding titles at Presque Isle Downs, where he took the 2018 and 2019 editions of the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) aboard Hotshot Anna.

But his successes don't end there.

Gallardo has finished in the top six in races won in North America in five of the last six years, including second-place finishes in 2015 and 2016. He has nine graded stakes on his resume, highlighted by Chad Brown trainee Funtastic's triumph in the 2018 running of the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth Park.

He's even made headlines off the track.

After an interview with a reporter from Fuera de Serie, a lifestyle and leisure supplement found in Spain's El Mundo newspaper, Gallardo became the first athlete to grace the magazine's cover since soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Now, Gallardo will look to become front-page racing news at Woodbine. He likes what he sees.

“The track gives you three different courses, which I like. The turf [E.P. Taylor Turf Course] with the long stretch, it teaches you to be patient, the Inner Turf, it's about speed and you have to be close. I'm very happy with the way things have gone so far.”

It might be enough for Gallardo to shed the nomadic ways he's known over the past few racing seasons.

Setting up shop at Woodbine for the long-term might not be such a longshot.

“My goal is to try and see how I do this year and if all goes well, to come back next year. I really like it. I'm tired of moving my tack everywhere and travelling so much. I think Woodbine is perfect for me – riding in one place eight months of the year. I want to work hard, find good horses, and make the most of my opportunities. If things go well in the next few years here, maybe the other four months I can just relax with my family, go on vacations, something like that. Who knows? I don't know yet. I try to go with the flow and see how things play out. But I do like the idea of racing eight months at one track, and to not travel so much.”

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Regardless of where Gallardo finds himself or what career choices he has made and will make, he knows he'll have the support of those closest to him.

FaceTime with his family, currently living in Florida, is a daily routine. He also keeps in touch with his parents, Antonio and Paqui, who live in Spain.

“My family has always been there for me,” said Gallardo, who was joined by his wife Polliana and the couple's children, Carlos and Christa, when he achieved his 2,000th win in his 9,807th start, this February at Tampa Bay Downs. “Being a jockey is a tough life and a tough job, but they make it easy for me to focus on what I do. They inspire me every day.”

That inspiration is one of many reasons Gallardo is off to a hot start at Woodbine.

“I approach every race the same way. I do as much homework as I can on my horse so that I can give them the best chance to win the race. So far, things have gone really well here. I'm very happy.”

It's what happens, smiled Gallardo, when you feel right at home.

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Avie’s Flatter Chases Connaught Cup Crown Sunday At Woodbine

Multiple stakes winner Avie's Flatter, who cruised to victory in his return to action in June, faces eight rivals on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course in Sunday's Grade 2 $175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes, at Woodbine.

Bred and owned by Ivan Dalos (Tall Oaks Farm), the five-year-old son of Flatter, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Josie Carroll, romped to an impressive 5 ¼-length score over the Tapeta on June 13 at Woodbine.

The victory, at seven furlongs, was the first race in nearly a year for Avie's Flatter, whose previous outing was a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup last July.

Sporting a record of 5-3-2 from 14 starts, the bay's most recent effort had Dalos beaming.

“It was nice to see him come back. You always hope for that kind of effort, but you never know. We always knew he was a good horse. Last year wasn't a good year for him. He had all kinds of problems, but it looks like he's back to his old self.”

Avie's Flatter won his career debut by 2 ½ lengths on the main track at Woodbine in August 2018. He then rallied to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes on the Toronto oval turf one month later.

He ended his two-year-old campaign with consecutive wins at Woodbine, taking the Cup and Saucer Stakes by 5 ¼ lengths on the grass in October and the Coronation Futurity by a half-length in November, en route to Sovereign Award honours as Canada's champion two-year-old male.

The Ontario-bred made his three-year-old debut in the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes in April 2019 following a 4 ½-month layoff. He rallied to win the 1 1/16-mile turf by a half-length.

That 2019 season yielded a second in the first two jewels of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Queen's Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes, respectively, before a third in the final jewel, the Breeders' Stakes.

In three 2020 appearances, Avie's Flatter finished third in an allowance race in June, second in the Grade 2 Eclipse on July 4 and fourth in the Seagram Cup just over three weeks later.

“When he was a two-year-old and he started breezing, he showed that he had talent,” remembered Dalos. “When you breed a horse, you always hope you breed a good one, but they don't all turn out to be like that. I don't recall him being a troublesome horse. I think he was pretty mature. He always had a good mind.”

Dalos is hoping for a repeat of his latest performance, the first victory in 26 months for Avie's Flatter, who is a half-brother (same dam, different sire) to Canadian classic winner Avie's Mineshaft.

“That would be nice to see. Hopefully, he can come up with the same type of race he had in his last start.”

Trainer Mark Casse, who won the 2015 Connaught with Lockout, sends out Chuck Willis, Olympic Runner, Proven Strategies and Tap It to Win. Silent Poet, trained by Nicholas Gonzalez for Stronach Stables, is back to defend his title.

Hall of Fame jockey Robin Platts has won a record eight editions of the Connaught, including back-to-back runnings (1968-69) with James Bay. Plate Glass won the two first runnings, in 1912 and 1913.

The Connaught Cup is race 7 on Sunday's 12-race card.

First post time is 1:10 p.m. Fans can also watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.

FIELD FOR THE $175,000 CONNAUGHT CUP

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Avie's Flatter – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll

2 – Silent Poet – Justin Stein – Nicholas Gonzalez

3 – Olympic Runner – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse

4 – Tap It to Win – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

5 – Proven Strategies – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse

6 – Gray's Fable – Gary Boulanger – Roger Attfield

7 – Holiday Stone – David Moran – George Weaver

8 – Chuck Willis – Kazushi Kimura– Mark Casse

9 – Eskiminzin – Slade Callaghan – Carlos Grant

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‘Such A Good Feeling’: Jockey Sahin Civaci Glad To Be Back Racing At Woodbine

His first mount of the 2021 Woodbine season wasn't a winning one, but for Sahin Civaci, it was a good start.

The fourth race on Woodbine's opening day card on June 12 attracted a field 11 fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, including Pipestone, bred and owned by Chiefswood Stables.

A 4-year-old daughter of Munnings, the dark bay departed the gate as the 3-1 second choice in the seven-furlong journey over the Toronto oval Tapeta.

At the wire, Civaci and Pipestone settled for second prize, 4 ¼-lengths behind the favored Shedat.

There was no winner's circle photo, but for Civaci, simply being back in action, to reconnect with the feeling of being in the irons, was a victory in itself.

“Of course, the goal is to always win. But I was happy with the effort and I was happy to ride for Chiefswood and [trainer] Stuart Simon. This mare will be hard to beat next time out. Just to be back racing, it was such a good feeling for myself and for everyone else.”

After a successful run at his hometown oval, Hastings Park, which began in 2014, Civaci made the decision to set up shop in Toronto two years ago.

Being the new jockey on the block presented its share of challenges. But after a modest start at Canada's Showplace of Racing, he would eventually find his stride.

“Coming to a big track like Woodbine can be intimidating to some people, even myself,” who was born in Vancouver but at the age of 10 moved with his parents to their native Ankara, Turkey. “That first year was a little difficult, getting adjusted to a new situation. After I got through all of that, I felt very comfortable. I feel very comfortable now and I'm very happy with where I am at.”

He can readily recall his first trip to the Woodbine winner's circle and the trip itself.

The milestone moment came on June 5, 2019, aboard Phil's Glory, an Ontario-bred daughter of Philanthropist.

Sent off at 7-2, Phil's Glory, bred and then owned by Paul Buttigieg, rallied for a half-length score in the 1 1/16-mile main track race.

“I loved that race. We came from off the pace, we ran down the horse that was on the lead and got them at the wire. It was definitely rewarding. I got a lot of calls from people back at Hastings. I have a lot of support from back there, so it meant a lot to have so many people reach out to congratulate me.”

Civaci has had plenty of other reasons to celebrate since settling in Ontario.

In 2019, he won 39 races in 363 starts. Last year, he boosted his win total to 47 from 434 starts.

His goals for this year won't come as a surprise.

“I want win more races than I did in 2020 and to also be in more races, and in the bigger races. I was really happy with last year's performance. Each year, it seems like it is getting better and better, and opportunities are opening up for me. I'm just pleased with how everything is going.”

That would also apply to his life away from the races.

When he's not getting a leg up, Civaci can be found indulging in his passion for gaming, going for a walk with his girlfriend Alyssa, or taking care of their pet hedgehog, Bruce.

“I like going out for walks with my girlfriend, and we'll also watch movies on Netflix too,” said the 27-year-old, who lists the 1996 movie Jingle All the Way as his all-time favorite. “I love to play videogames, too, so I do that a lot. You just really try to take advantage of any downtime you get. It's a good balance to have. I'm very happy with how things are in my life.”

The rider with 202 lifetime wins, including a victory aboard Calgary Caper in the Grade 3 BC Premier's Handicap three years ago, will hope to echo those same words at the conclusion of this year's Woodbine Thoroughbred meet.

He's looking forward to the journey.

“I'm going to continue to work hard to get more opportunities to ride. The key for me is to always do better than the year before. That's what pushes me every time I go into the gate. Win or lose, I always give my best.”

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Boardroom, Amalfi Coast Headline Saturday’s Whimsical To Kick Off Woodbine’s Stakes Schedule

The Grade 3 $150,000 Whimsical Stakes and the $125,000 Star Shoot Stakes share the spotlight on Saturday's 12-race card at Woodbine.

Eight starters are set to go postward in the Whimsical, a 6-furlong main track event for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, while eight hopefuls chase top prize in the 6-furlong main track Star Shoot for 3-year-old fillies.

The added-money offerings kick off Woodbine's lucrative 2021 stakes calendar, which includes the $1 million Queen's Plate (August 22), North America's oldest continually run stakes event, and first jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown series.

LNJ Foxwoods' stakes winner Boardroom, a finalist for the 2020 Champion Female Sprinter Sovereign Award, is set to vie for top honors in the Whimsical.

Trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Josie Carroll, the 4-year-old daughter of Commissioner has assembled a 3-1-1 record from five lifetime starts.

“Solis/Litt bloodstock bought her at the OBS April 2019,” noted Jaime Roth of LNJ Foxwoods, whose top stars include multiple Grade 1 stakes champion Covfefe. “Her breeze was very special. Going 20.1 bounding over the track effortlessly was impressive. Also, when Josie called excited after her first 5-furlong work, we knew we may have a special filly.”

Boardroom's first two performances, both wins, justified the hype and hopes.

After breaking her maiden first time out on June 27 of last year, the bay, bred by Polo Green Stable, made it two straight scores in another strong outing, this time on July 30.

The Kentucky-bred finished third in the Ruling Angel, despite having a rein break while exiting the gate, in what was her first stakes appearance, on September 12. She then went on to notch her first added-money crown courtesy of a strong rallying effort in the Duchess Stakes on October 3.

“She's a wonderful filly,” Carroll said after the Duchess win. “This filly showed a lot of promise as soon as she came to me and she's lived up to every bit of it. This filly could be any kind. I think she's just going to get better.”

Roth was equally pleased with the victory.

“What impresses me most about Boardroom is her athleticism. She has a ton of class and is all business when she hits the track.”

Unraced as a 2-year-old, Boardroom will now contest her fourth consecutive stakes race, having finished second in the Grade 2 Bessarabian to close out her 2020 campaign.

Roth will be tuning in on Saturday to watch the Woodbine card.

“We are just so happy Woodbine has opened. While she may have been ready to run months ago giving her the winter off, in my opinion, is always good for fillies. It gives them time to relax, mature and grow.”

LNJ Foxwoods will also be represented in the Star Shoot, sending out Drunk Dial, a bay daughter of Dialed In who notched an impressive 5 ½-length win in her debut last November at Woodbine.

Kevin Attard, who won 43 races in 2020, and was a Sovereign Award finalist as Canada's outstanding trainer, sends out multiple stakes winner Amalfi Coast in the Whimsical.

The 5-year-old Terra Farms homebred endured an uneven 2020 campaign, winning one race and posting a third from six starts.

After a sixth-place effort to launch her season last June, a 7 ½-furlong allowance dash on the Woodbine Inner Turf, Amalfi Coast finished fourth to Elizabeth Way in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes three weeks later.

The daughter of Tapizar was third and eighth, respectively, in the Grade 3 Seaway and Grade 2 Canadian, before a 4 ¼-length romp in the 6 ½-furlong Sweet Briar Too Stakes on October 23.

She closed out her year with a fourth in the Grade 2 Bessarabian.

“I think we were a little overambitious with her in a few spots,” offered Attard. “Right from the get-go, in her first start, she got slammed leaving the gate, and it was just a brutal trip. Then we had a little bit of a throat issue that we had to rectify and get sorted out. Then with the pandemic, getting off to a late start, things just kind of didn't get off on the right foot with her. She ended off her 3-year-old campaign so well, and then her 4-year-old year didn't start off as promising. But she showed she still had it with that win in the Sweet Briar Too. I was expecting a bit of a better race in her final start of the season, but she wintered well and looks good.”

Amalfi Coast brings a 5-2-2 mark from 14 starts into Saturday's engagement.

“She was with me in Caledon [Ontario] in the winter. She came to Woodbine in the spring and hasn't missed a beat. I'm excited to see her get going. It might be a tad short of her best, distance-wise, but she's good and sharp.”

The Whimsical goes as race nine with a 5:31 post time. The Star Shoot is slated as race seven with a 4:28 p.m. post time. Fans can watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.

FIELD FOR THE WHIMSICAL

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Amalfi Coast – Justin Stein – Kevin Attard

2 – Chart – Jerome Lermyte – Mark Casse

3 – Summer Sunday – Gary Boulanger – Stuart Simon

4 – Sav – Keveh Nicholls – Ricky Griffith

5 – Golden Ami – Daisuke Fukumoto – Josie Carroll

6 – Our Secret Agent – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse

7 – Artie's Princess – Kazushi Kimura – Wesley Ward

8 – Boardroom – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll

FIELD FOR THE STAR SHOOT

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Sweet Souper Sweet – Patrick Husbands – Michael Trombetta

2 – La Libertee – Jerome Lermyte – Mark Casse

3 – Magical Soul – Leo Salles – Pat Parente

4 – Polyanthus (S) – Kazushi Kimura – Mark Casse

5 – California Lily – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse

6 – Can't Buy Love (S) – Justin Stein –Michael Trombetta

7 – Drunk Dial – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll

8 – Dirty Dangle – Daisuke Fukumoto – Mark Casse

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