Photo by Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club She was back on the grass after three outings on dirt and all-weather surfaces, and WARMING fired down the Laurel Park stretch to earn her second consecutive graded stakes win in the Gallorette Stakes-G3 on the Preakness Day card. The turf was firm for the 8.5 furlong contest with […]
Tag: John Velazquez
Heading to the Winner’s Circle
Keeneland wins are special. Keeneland Opening Day wins are even more so. Getting one today with a homebred for Antony Beck’s Gainesway Stable really pushed it over the top. HEADING, a 3-year-old colt by Starspangledbanner (AUS) out of Celtic Sea (SAf), by Captain Al (SAf), was making just his second start in the U.S. after […]
One Stripe (SAF) Gets First North American Win
Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos He’s only been in the country since July, and today ONE STRIPE (SAF) notched his first U.S. win at Gulfstream Park. His race was an optional claiming as allowance going one mile on the turf, and he had John Velazquez aboard. Their margin of victory was 5 1/4 lengths. While […]
A Smart Score at Keeneland
Making just her second career start, breeder/owner Jonathan P. Evans’ SMART UNION captured an allowance at Keeneland this afternoon. It’s been a busy, beautiful weekend at the Lexington track with huge crowds in town for the University of Kentucky homecoming yesterday and the annual Family Day today. Twelve 2-year-old fillies lined up for the 1 […]
The Grey Wizard (IRE) Romps in Cape Henlopen
Following his victory in the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes-G2 at Saratoga on Belmont Stakes Day, THE GREY WIZARD (IRE) added a score in the listed Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park today. John Velazquez made the trip down for the mount in the 1 1/2 mile contest on the turf. Settled in the back behind […]
Trikari Shines in Secretariat Stakes-G2
Photo by H. Gray Jessup There was a joyous scene in the Colonial Downs winner’s circle last evening as TRIKARI turned in another brilliant performance to win the Secretariat Stakes-G2. The New Kent, Virginia track was hosting it’s Festival of Racing featuring three marquis events formerly run at Arlington Park: the Arlington Million-G1, the Beverly […]
Summer Girl
Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA On the America’s Day At The Races broadcast, Richard Migliore called her “absolutely the horse to beat.” Co-hosts Laffit Pincay and Rajiv Maragh agreed with him. And SUMMER WHIRL rewarded their faith in her with a dazzling late run under John Velazquez to break her maiden in the nightcap at Saratoga […]
Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational to Trikari
Photos by Susie Raisher/NYRA “I don’t know what his distance limitations are, but I said to Johnny (Velazquez), ‘We’ve got to ride him like he’s going to handle the distance,’ and I really thought he would. He’s a special horse, he really is.” – Graham to Maggie Wolfendale after Trikari’s win in the Belmont Derby […]
The Grey Wizard (IRE) Punches A Golden Ticket
Photo by Skip Dickstein Belmont Stakes weekend at Saratoga got off to a fantastic start for Team Herringswell with THE GREY WIZARD (IRE) winning an exciting renewal of the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes-G2. The two-mile turf route saw the 5-year-old gelding squaring off again with last year’s winner, Siskany, to whom he finished second in […]
Porquerolles Wins Duel in Debut
Patience paid off when Wertheimer & Frere’s 4-year-old PORQUEROLLES made his first start at Gulfstream Park on Thursday, February 15. The son of Speightstown had the services of John Velazquez in the maiden special weight going 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass. He made it clear early that he wanted to be right up with […]