Who hurts the most when a reputation gets tarnished in the beautiful sport of Horse racing.

 Resilience seem to be the word being pelted around as I asked questions to those involved in horse racing about being able to overcome the toughness of the sport.  Being spun left right and center by agents, trainers and sometimes it seems like anyone else who is willing to do the spinning.  

Jockeys are forced to build some of the toughest skins around and the broadest smiles.

Javier Castellano

Countless jockeys use different strategies to break into colonies around the world and many go unsuccessful based on so many different reasons.  

Trainers find themselves somewhere in the middle most of the time with the difficult job of managing horses and giving jockeys the break they so badly require to become successful at what they do.  Owners continue to love being involved and the addiction to just helping an industry that is crying out for help.

Somewhere between the mix of it all lies grooms hot walkers and others who feel like they are equally important to the equation of the sport.

The horses don't speak a language audible to humans but they do tell us things once you have become locked into them.   I remember watching the beautiful story behind Cody's Wish and couldn't help myself as a tear ran down the side of my face and the legacy behind Cody's Wish was re-created with its fifth win in a row and three consecutive grade 1 victories.

Castellano's first career Kentucky Derby title

So who really is hurting the most from a tarnished reputation?  

It's hard to say because equally others are hurt by a tarnished reputation and it will lead to others being hurt financially which trickles down and could cost the barn.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Kentucky Derby 2023 brings joy to 391 owners and opportunity for even more.

In the mix of controversy scandal and disappointment there was a shining light that emerged after the Kentucky Derby was over.  

photo by Sam Mallon/Getty Images

Just days Before the 2023 Kentucky Derby, pandemonium broke out as word leaked out of horses dying at Churchill Downs.  It seemed pretty obvious to many that more attention was being paid to trainer Saffie Joseph jr than any of the other trainers who had horses that died in the wild and confusing circumstances.  Eventually, it all led to the suspension of the trainer by Churchill Downs and his horse Lord Miles being scratched from the derby.  That story still needs to be told because the entire situation just felt a bit murky and highly awkward.

Horses who died

• Wild On Ice -  Joel Marr
• Take Charge Briana - D. Wayne Lukas
• Code of Kings - Tim Glyshaw
• Parents Pride - Saffie Joseph Jr.
• Chasing Artie - Saffie Joseph Jr.
• Chloe's Dream - Jeff Hiles
• Freezing Point - Joe Lejzerowicz

With the world watching America's biggest horse race the mood was different even as the favorite Forte was scratched just moments before the race and somehow went on unnoticed.  

Mage was the one horse that some people felt could put down Forte but was written off by the public since professional handicappers felt he needed more experience to win a race like the Kentucky Derby.  Mage eventually went off at odds of 15-1 and won by a commanding lead. 

Well, he proved them wrong and made 391 people very happy who all had shares in the syndicate which owns the horse.

photo by ANNE M.EBERHARDT

The rumor has it that persons were allowed to buy into the syndicate with as little as $50.  

With two major races of the triple crown title still to go I can only hope that Mage will win those other two races as well to put smiles on the faces of those people who were very emotional as the winner's circle filled up.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

• 
  

Ricardo Santana Jr. displays New York Thunder under the wet and rainy Toronto weather condition at Woodbine Racetrack.

 Last weekend the races at Woodbine Racetrack displayed exciting events of drama, spoiled predictions, and pure awesome talent.

In the Star Shoot Stakes which went six furlongs on the all-weather track, Saffie Joseph Jr. sent Blind Spot across the northern border with jockey Tyler Conner.  Blind Spot did finish first crossing the line but was later reviewed and placed 2nd by the judges. Jill Jitterbug was the eventual winner with jockey Sahin Civaci.

New York Thunder and Ricardo Santana Jr.

In the Woodstock Stakes which was competed at six furlongs on the all-weather surface, New York Thunder showed up in the blistering rain and displayed a very impressive victory guided by Ricardo Santana Jr. in the saddle.  Santana showed every experience he had with this victory and muscled New York Thunder to the lead and finally to the finish line in 1:08:45.

Jill Jitterbug wins the Star Shoots - Photo by Michael Burns. 

Some of the other highlights of the weekend were Steven Chircop acquiring his 200th career victory, with Uncle Joe in an Optional claiming race with a purse of $61,800.  I am sure there has to be a story to the name of the horse!

The 2nd race of Saturday's card featured a $111,600 maiden special weight for three-year-olds.  The morning line favorite kaukokaipuu was guided by Rico Walcott for the first time but ended up second again.  Kaukokaipuu has now run second six times with eight career starts.  The eventual winner of the race was True Temper who was ridden by the veteran and classy jockey Patrick Husbands.

On other notes, Kazushi Kimura won four races on the Sunday card and he seems to be picking up where he left off in 2022.  He now has six first-place finishes at Woodbine for the year and is on top of the leaders' board.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com