Xpressbet Jockey Journal 2: John Velazquez
Another weekend. Another rollercoaster. In less than two hours at Keeneland Saturday, John Velazquez upset two graded stakes and was upset in two graded stakes.
Sean Clancy
Here and There October 10
Around the world in Thoroughbred racing, from Goffs in Ireland to Virginia Fall Steeplechase to Keeneland to Laurel Park. Flat jockeys, jump jockeys. Flat trainers, flat jockeys. A little of everything.
Tennis Practice
I’ve written from everywhere. Sad places. Dark places. Strange places. Full press boxes, empty press boxes. Loud offices, quiet offices. With lots to say, nothing to say. Before funerals, after weddings. Planes, trains, automobiles. Today, I write from tennis practice. Miles, 4, and friends. Dad, 43, and friends. I’m the only dad here. That happens … Read more
Jockey Journal 1: Mike Smith
Mike Smith opens his first Xpressbet Jockey Journal with thoughts on his ‘Super Saturday’ at Belmont Park, where he rode Royal Delta, Little Mike and Palace Malice in stakes races.
Jockey Journal 1: John Velazquez
John Velazquez gets things started in his Xpressbet Jockey Journal as he chats about a difficult “Super Saturday” at Belmont Park that saw him lose a heartbreaker aboard Justin Phillip and his outlook on riding reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who runs in Saturday’s Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.
Jockey Journals
They’ve ridden the best horses in the game, won the biggest races around the world. Two veteran Hall of Fame jockeys Mike Smith and John Velazquez will take you on the road to the Breeders’ Cup. Read Smith’s journal to the Breeders’ Cup here. Read Velazquez’s journal to the Breeders’ Cup here.
Ireland
Sitting in a hotel in Naas, Ireland. It’s lashing rain. One of those long, pummeling rains that remind you of a boxing match, jab, jab, jab, slam. Then it stops, then it starts. Jab, jab, jab, slam. Then it stops, then it starts. Jab, jab, jab, slam.
Grade I Conversation: Gary Stevens
What do I miss the most about Saratoga? The conversations. The simple, enlightening, engaging conversations with owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, fans…all the conversations. Here’s a conversation with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens about his Saturday rides at Santa Anita. Phone conversation, never the same, but still a conversation. Talk about rides. Stevens will partner … Read more
Here you go, Joe
Need a tutorial? Joe Bravo replaces John Velazquez on Alpha in Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup. With Velazquez’s mount Cross Traffic in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Alpha won’t find it as easy on the front as he did in the Woodward at Saratoga. The Special talked to Velazquez about Apha’s wire-to-wire win in the Woodward. Nobody diagrams a race or a performance like Velazquez. Here goes:
Talking about Bristol
Dance To Bristol scourged Saratoga twice this summer. Owned by Susan Wantz, trained by Ollie Figgins III and ridden by Xavier Perez, the 4-year-old filly won the Honorable Miss and the Ballerina. Saturday, she aims to extend her eight-race win streak in the Gallant Bloom. We waded into the archives of The Saratoga Special for more about Dance To Bristol.
