“Horse Racing Capsules: Upset at the Spa: Rachel beaten by 21-1 long shot” plus 1 more |
| Horse Racing Capsules: Upset at the Spa: Rachel beaten by 21-1 long shot Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:27 AM PDT SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Jockey Calvin Borel knew Rachel Alexandra was in trouble with a quarter-mile to go in the $300,00 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course. The reigning Horse of the Year had just put away Life At Ten after a mile-long duel for the lead and was bearing down on the finish line. "I didn't feel any acceleration and I got worried," Borel said. "She wasn't really there. I knew if anyone was running behind us, we were in trouble." They sure were. Persistently was kicking into high gear under Alan Garcia, gaining ground with every stride. She took the lead with three jumps to go and won by one length, The stunning finish silenced the crowd 23,347 that turned out to see Rachel's return to the Spa after last year's electrifying victory in the Woodward Stakes. The loss was the third in five starts this year for Rachel Alexandra, and leaves racing fans wondering what's next for the 4-year-old filly who rolled to an 8-0 record last year with victories against the boys in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward. "If she isn't exactly where she was last year, hopefully she can get back there," Rachel's trainer Steve Asmussen said. "I don't want to give up on getting back to where we were. I don't." Rachel's owner Jess Jackson was not at the race, but said in a statement: "We are disappointed in the result, as we are sure her countless fans are, but we are certainly not disappointed in her. She is still a superstar in our hearts and minds." Yes, it was Rachel's first race at 1¼ miles and her first Grade 1 of the year, but unlike last year, when her speed seemed to be enough, the same cannot be said for 2010. She now has two wins and three runner-up finishes against less than stellar competition. "I'm very disappointed that she lost," Asmussen said. "But I am always happy with Rachel. It hurts to lose and you're disappointed for it, but if that's the case, just think about how happy she's made you and all the things she has done for us." It seemed only fitting that if Rachel was going get beat it would be by a horse wearing the Phipps Stables silks and trained by Shug McGaughey, who also campaigned the unbeaten filly the raced is named for. Personal Ensign died in April at the age of 26. "We're just tickled to death to win the race, particularly with it being the Personal Ensign," McGaughey said. "My hat's off to Rachel Alexandra. She runs her heart out every time. She made a beautiful presence in the paddock today. We were just lucky enough to pick up the pieces." Before the race, Rachel's entrance through the crowd drew applause from the fans, who lined up six deep around the paddock to get a glimpse and snap photos of the star filly. Even in defeat, the fans cheered Rachel's return past the grandstand. Life At Ten was third, followed by Miss Singhsix and Classofsixtythree. Persistently returned $45, $8.10 and $3.60, while Rachel Alexandra returned $2.30 and $2.10 and Life At Ten, the 9-5 second choice, paid $2.10. The winning time was 2:04.49. Persistently, a 4-year-old chestnut filly, has won four of 14 starts and earned $180,000 to boost her earnings to $491,256. "I thought Rachel might be a little vulnerable going a mile and a quarter, and I knew we'd run a mile and a quarter," McGaughey said. Asmussen figures the duel up front spelled defeat for Rachel Alexandra. "I thought Rachel put a very good mare away," Asmussen said, referring to Life At Ten. "It obviously took more out of her on the front end than we would have hoped for. When she moved away from (Life At Ten) that's what you were hoping to see. Then she got run down." Just Jenda wins Monmouth feature OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Just Jenda ran past Malibu Prayer in the stretch and drew off to win the $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes by 3½ lengths at Monmouth Park on Sunday. Ridden by Terry Thompson and trained by Cindy Jones, the 4-year-old filly covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43 2/5 and returned $8, $3 and $2.20. The victory in the Grade 2 stakes was the eighth win in 17 career starts for Just Jenda, whose owners said she would now retire from racing after earning $750,680. Malibu Prayer paid $2.40 and $2.10, while Milwaukee Appeal was two lengths further back in third and paid $2.80. Champ Pegasus wins Del Mar Handicap DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Champ Pegasus defeated Buenos Dias by one length to win the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap on Sunday. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Champ Pegasus covered 1 3/8 miles in 2:11.93 and paid $5, $3.40 and $2.80. Buenos Dias paid $13.20 and $7.40, while Worth Repeating paid $6.40 to show. The victory, worth $120,000, increased Champ Pegasus' career earnings to $208,520. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Jacky Martin returns to horse-racing with a vengeance Posted: 29 Aug 2010 09:59 PM PDT RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. -- For several years, Jacky Martin was the king of quarter-horse racing with seven All American Futurity victories and an abundance of other big wins. Then four years ago, Martin left the sport and wasn't sure what the future held for him. He battled legal issues, including being caught for poaching deer, and horse racing seemed to have moved on without him. But the desire to ride again led him to New Mexico, where he achieved so many of his greatest victories. He was licensed to ride in the state in June and his success this summer at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino suggests he hasn't lost a beat. Martin is winning at better than a 25-percent clip, and one of his wins was in the Rainbow Futurity last month aboard Hes Too Icy for Me. But Martin's story isn't simply about wins and losses, but rather about a second chance at glory and how he's gotten to this point in his life. "When I got my license to ride, I drove from the commission hearing in Albuquerque to Ruidoso and didn't have any equipment or any work," Martin said. "I had to borrow equipment from jockeys Chris Zamora and Freddie Martinez. And then I had to find work and I wasn't sure if anyone would hire me. It all happened so fast and there was uncertainty for me as to whether I'd be given many chances to ride or even work a horse in the morning." With help from his wife and agent Tracey Martin, the 55-year-old jockey easily found takers for his services and was put to work right away."I've never been one to ask for work" Jacky Martin said. "I'm grateful for all the trainers who gave me a chance and who had confidence in me. In previous years, I had never been one to work horses in the morning, but now my work ethic is better and I love being out in the mornings." Part of the reason his work ethic could be much better now is that while he was away from the sport, he spent a lot of time working for trainers, breaking horses and helping them get ready for their time on the track as 2-year-olds. He also spent time doing other odd jobs to stay fit. "I wasn't sure if I could come right back and do well," Martin said. "I thought it might take some time to get back in and do well. But I'm just happy to be riding right now and I'm focused on the future. It's a great time right now." Martin could be in line for his eighth All American Futurity win on Labor Day. He qualified three horses on Aug. 19 during trial day, including fastest qualifier JLS Mr Bigtime. Martin's most recent win in the All American came in 2000 aboard Eyesa Special. Martin said his most special All American win came in 1988 aboard Merganser. "Merganser was a great horse, a tough competitor and he had to work so hard for the win that day," he said. Martin began riding in 1973 and learned his trade growing up in Mansfield, Ark., near the Oklahoma border. According to Martin, there were less than 1,000 people living in Mansfield at the time. "I used to match race and that's how I learned to ride," he said. "I love riding, I love the sport. I started out with thoroughbreds and won my first pari-mutuel race on a thoroughbred, but I've made my mark with the thoroughbreds." Martin teamed with trainer Jack Brooks for several of those All American Futurity victories. Brooks says he's not shocked by the resurgence of Martin. "He's one of the best ever to be on a horse; he has unbelievable natural talent," said Brooks of Martin. "For him to come back and do what he's done after a layoff is a tribute to his talent and work ethic. He has a great feel for the horse." Trainer Michael Joiner gave Martin a few horses to work when he returned to New Mexico and he's seen up close how good Martin has been this summer. "Jacky hasn't missed a beat, he is very good and I can't say I'm shocked at his success," Joiner said. "From the day he started here this summer, he's done well and been on very good horses." Tracey Martin was emotional when asked about her husband's success this summer and she too wasn't sure how long it would take him to get back to the top. "Jacky is really enjoying his life right now; he's enjoying life in different ways and he's looking at life in different ways," she said. "He's really appreciative of what has happened to him and he has a lot to look forward to. It was a tough road back, but it's been worth it." Eric Alwan, who handles publicity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, has a distinct knowledge of racing in the state and has seen Martin ride on several occasions. "Jacky is so strong and so good out of the gate with quarter horses," Alwan said. "For him to come back after four years of not riding, is a tremendous, tremendous feat. It's unbelievable in some ways, but it's a great story and he looks to have plenty of good years left." Martin said he'd like to ride another 10 to 15 years and of course he wants to add another All American Futurity or two to his record book. "I never thought I'd be riding this long when I started in 1973," he said. "I've enjoyed a lot of success along the way, but this stretch I'm really enjoying. It's been a satisfying return and I'm enjoying it one day at a time. I have a great wife who has been there for me and helped me out. I'm glad to be back in a sport that I love and hopefully I will be around it for a while. I just try to do the best I can and give something back to the sport." Felix Chavez may be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6167. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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