(Above: Churchill Downs photo) Obituary By Jennie Rees, Kentucky HBPA Communications Larry Melancon might not have been the top jockey at Churchill Downs during his long career, though he ranks among the winningest riders at the historic Louisville track even a decade after his retirement. But no Churchill Downs jockey can match the resilience and longevity of Melancon, whose tenure […] Continue Reading
Churchill Downs press release (above Coady Photography photo of Gretzky the Great training at Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, in which he was sixth) FLORENCE, Ky. (Wednesday, March 24, 2021) – Joseph P. Morey Trust’s $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes winner Hush of a Storm, along with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber’s Grade I-winning colt Gretzky the […] Continue Reading
A Fair Grounds Race Course stakes recap: New Orleans (March 20, 2021) – In the days leading up to the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, trainer Todd Pletcher remarked that his grade 1-winning charge Colonel Liam had been training so well on the dirt of late that he may entertain giving the […] Continue Reading
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release: New Orleans (March 20, 2021) – In a battle with Lecomte (G3) winner Midnight Bourbon from the word go, Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and Will Strauss’ Hot Rod Charlie put that stubborn rival away in the deep stretch to post a two-length win in the 108th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana […] Continue Reading
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release (Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges above) New Orleans (March 20, 2021) – Travel Column two, Clairiere one. The rivalry continues. Churchill Downs awaits. OXO Equine’s Travel Column took advantage of a decided race flow edge and easily held off the late rally of her nemesis, Stonestreet Stables’ homebred Clairiere, by 2 ¾ lengths in the […] Continue Reading
Today’s Oaklawn Park barn notes by Robert Yates (Coady Photography photo of Monomoy Girl winning Oaklawn Park’s Azeri Stakes: HOT SPRINGS, AR. (Friday, March 19, 2021) — Perhaps the surest bet this year at Oaklawn was that Kentucky-based jockey Florent Geroux would have a much bigger impact on the jockey standings than he did during his first stint as a regular […] Continue Reading
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release: New Orleans (March 16, 2021) – In Rupp Racing’s multiple graded-stakes winner Owendale headlines a competitive field of eight older horses for Saturday’s 96th running of the $400,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Run at 1 1/8 miles, the New Orleans Classic is Race 11 of 14 […] Continue Reading
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release (Hodges Photography photos): New Orleans (March 15, 2021) – Mention Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Mandaloun to trainer Brad Cox and the reaction is telling. And immediate. Cox is looking forward to showing the rest of the racing world what he’s thought all along—that Mandaloun is one serious 3-year-old—when he starts as a strong favorite […] Continue Reading
An Oaklawn Park press release (Coady Photography photos): HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, March 13, 2021) – 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Honeybee Stakes (G3) winner Shedaresthedevil, making her first start since last October, led gate to wire to win Saturday’s $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) determinedly by a head over 3-2 favorite Letruska at Oaklawn Park. Breaking from the outside post […] Continue Reading
Santa Anita Park press release: ARCADIA, Calif. (March 13, 2021)-Mission accomplished. Idle since a disappointing run in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 7, trainer Ken McPeek’s reigning Eclipse Champion Filly Swiss Skydiver saved ground early and went on to register a powerful 2 length victory in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita. Ridden by […] Continue Reading
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