Lucky thirteen. That’s the head count at the post – unless there is a scratch.
There will be no chance of a triple crown this year as Country House bowed out and the contested first finisher, Maximum Security, withdrew as well. Often trainers don’t want to push their horses if they don’t like the odds – too many other races for the risk.
So with the field wide open it could be anyone’s race. Who is it going to be?
The favorite Baffert’s “Improbable”?
War of Will?
Or your favorite longshot?
It’s already Christmas?? Hard to believe the year went by so fast! Sooo many things to see and do.
From Thanksgiving to New Years we always think about all the blessings from the past year! The people and places, the horses and their helpers, the hard work and lazy days – all the special memories.
There were heartbreaking stories of fires and loss, courageous stories of challenges and spirit.
But best of all it was spending time with the horses and horsepeople you Love.
Or maybe you just need to gallop down an empty beach!
The Black in Sardinia
Hoping your year was as eventful as ours!
What was your favorite moment?
Blessings & Joy for Christmas and have a Wonderful New Year!
Don’t forget to leave some hay out for Santa’s reindeer – as my Dad always did on Christmas eve!!
Will Exaggerator do it again? I like Desormeaux and their horse (did you know the Black Stallion is Kent Desormeaux’s favorite!) I like Cherry Wine … doesn’t that sound good. And I like the idea of Suddenbreakingnews.
Stradivari received a $80,000 bet today and his odds changed to 1/2
The NBC Sports Channel broadcast begins at 2:30 pm ET, then switches to NBC at 5 pm for coverage of the Preakness Stakes, with a post time of 6:45 pm ET.
American Pharoah to victory, then donated winnings to charity
When it comes to horse racing, we tend to remember the names of the horses more than the jockeys, but here’s a jockey you really should know.
On June 6, American Pharoah became the first horse to win racing’s Triple Crown in 37 years.
It’s just the 12th horse in history to win all of the three major racing events in a single year — the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
But there’s another part of this story you might not have heard about: the jockey.
American Pharoah’s jockey, Victor Espinoza, donated all his winnings from the Belmont Stakes to charity.
All of it. Reportedly $80,000.
Wow.
The charity is City of Hope, and they fight cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses.In an interview with ABC News, Espinoza casually mentioned his plans for the massive payday.”I won the Triple Crown right now, but I don’t make any money because I’m donating all the money to the City of Hope.”The group confirmed Espinoza’s plans to donate on their website, and included another statement from him:”Good health — that’s what I want for everyone. With good health, people can enjoy life and do those things that make them happy. By working to defeat cancer, City of Hope’s researchers and doctors are bringing a greater chance of health and happiness to people everywhere.”
American Pharoah’s trainer, Bob Baffert, also donated his Belmont winnings, splitting it between three charities.
Bob and Jill Baffert following American Pharoah’s win at the Belmont Stakes.
According to Louisville’s Courier-Journal, Baffert and his wife Jill will donate $50,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, $50,000 to the California Retirement Management Account, and $50,000 to Old Friends Farm.
As the name would suggest, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered severe on-track injuries. The California Retirement Management Account is a fund to care for retired racehorses. Old Friends Farm is a retirement facility for horses located in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Between Baffert and Espinoza, even those of us who aren’t fans of horse racing have quite a bit to cheer for.
Because at the end of the day, American Pharoah goes back to being a horse. A really cool horse and all, but still a horse.
Here’s a prime example of a cool horse.
His jockey and his trainer used their winnings to help save and improve some lives.
Years from now, when you think back on American Pharoah’s historic run, be sure to remember his team, too.
Suddenbreakingnews
