Resting well after stints inserted

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. — The racing world was rocked this morning upon hearing the news that Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who bases his powerful stable at Santa Anita, had sustained a heart attack in Dubai that required coronary stints to remove cardiac blockage.

“We’re all very concerned about Bob’s health and we’re glad to hear that his condition is stable and his outlook is good,” said Santa Anita CEO Mark…

Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – The 12-week Laurel Park winter meeting ended today with Sheldon Russell and Dane Kobiskie winning individual titles. The 48-day stand began at the central Maryland track on January 4.

Russell, the top jockey in the Maryland colony a year ago, topped the rider standings with 54 first place finishes, 21 more than Malcolm Franklin. The 24-year-old had 16 multiple win days during the meet, including nine in the…

Ed Gray
Gulfstream Park

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Graham Motion had already loaded Lucky Chappy onto a Dubai-bound plane for a start in the UAE Derby (G1) on March 31 and was preparing for the departure of Howe Great and Went the Day Well to Kentucky for their respective starts in major preps for this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The flurry of activity surrounding his talented 3-year-olds at Palm Meadows Training Center could be viewed as a symptom of…

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. — Two time Eclipse Award winning jockey Garrett Gomez, in his second comeback attempt since fracturing his left heel in a paddock mishap on Jan. 8, piloted 6-year-old Kelly Leak to a second place finish in Santa Anita’s fifth race on Thursday and pronounced his left heel “70 percent” better than in his abortive comeback try here on March 9.

“I felt really good,” said Gomez following his 6½ furlong trip down Santa…

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Paco Lopez, who broke his collarbone and suffered six fractured ribs March 17 in a spill at Gulfstream Park, was released Wednesday afternoon from Memorial Regional Hospital and is in “good spirits,” according to his agent, Cory Moran.

“He’s sitting up, cracking jokes, he’s an amazing guy,” Moran said. “Paco doesn’t feel any pain from the collarbone, but it’s the ribs that are bothering him a little. I spoke to the…

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey John Velazquez was presented after the last race Wednesday with the Bill Hartack Memorial Award.

The Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation was established by the friends of Bill Hartack to honor the memory and lifetime achievements of the five-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey. Through its philanthropic arm, the Hartack Foundation will annually contribute to thoroughbred racing charities and recognize the jockey who rides the Kentucky Derby winner. Velazquez won the 2011 Kentucky…

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – New York’s leading rider Ramon Dominguez might only miss two weeks of action after positive results from an MRI on Tuesday, according to his agent Steve Rushing.

“Ramon had an MRI on Tuesday, spoke to his doctor today, and they are confident that he can be back within two weeks,” Rushing said.

That timeframe would get Dominguez back to the races in time to ride Hansen in the April 7 Resorts World Casino New York…

(Edited Fair Grounds report)

Defending jockey champion and current leading rider Rosie Napravnik scored her 100th win of the season in Saturday’s sixth race astride Maggi Moss’s Thunder Affair, trained by Tom Amoss.

The 24-year-old native of Morristown, N. J. is well ahead of the pace that saw her earn leading rider honors a year ago with 110 wins.

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)        
           
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Javier Castellano broke the record for most wins during a Gulfstream race meet Saturday when he won his 98th race of the 2011-2012 season aboard Repenter in the first race.

Castellano set the standard on the 72nd day of live racing. He shared the previous record of 97 with Jerry Bailey (1996 over 64 days), Wigberto Ramos (1991 over…

Jenny Kellner
NYRA/Aqueduct Racetrack

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Kiaran McLaughlin reached a personal landmark Friday when Que Posse won race 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack to give the trainer his 1,000th career North American victory.

“I think it means the most to me that Art Magnuson, and (my brother] Nea), my two main assistants, have been there for all 1,000 wins and that we’ve been together for all the victories,” said McLaughlin by telephone from Florida. “I’d like to thank…