James Graham

Charles Marquis's hard-knocking Bear River (Flameaway) grab command of Saturday's $2-million GII Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint soon after the start and never relinquished the advantage while reversing form with comebacking favorite Howard Wolowitz (Munnings) to earn a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1. A no-excuses sixth to Howard Wolowitz in last year's GI Franklin-Stamps Stakes in his lone previous attempt at this quirky layout, the chestnut ridgling was returning to southern Kentucky off a narrow victory at 17-1 in the Turf...

John Velazquez and Mike Smith were elected co-chairmen of The Jockeys' Guild when the organization hosted its annual assembly virtually Jan. 14. Javier Castellano, Julien Leparoux and James Flores were elected co-vice chairmen, Tyler Gaffalione as secretary and Julien Leparoux as treasurer. In addition, Joe Bravo, Drayden Van Dyke, James Graham and Rodney Prescott will serve on the Board of Directors. Senate members for the guild in 2025-2026 are: Eastern region: Joe Bravo, Kendrick Carmouche, Javier Castellano, Frankie Dettori, Reylu Gutierrez, Flavien Prat, Sheldon Russell, Drayden Van Dyke and John...

Five names have been released as the nominations for the 76th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award with a winner to be named in February, Santa Anita Park announced via press release. Kendrick Carmouche, James Graham, Brian Hernandez Jr., Juan Hernandez, and Alfredo Juarez comprise a group which will be voted on by their peers nationwide. Named for a man who was not only one of the greatest 'big-money' riders of his era but also revered by his peers as a fierce competitor and consummate professional, the Woolf Award honors riders...

The only GIII Azeri S. entry to not have tried stakes company, Tiny Temper (Arrogate) ran like a giant down the lane on Saturday afternoon in Hot Springs in the prep for next month's GI Apple Blossom S. Breaking her maiden at second asking over the slop as a late juvenile at Churchill Downs, the bay was not seen until she ran fourth against allowance company at Ellis Park last summer. Taking a break until the beginning of this year, the older filly faced off-the-turf allowance foes at Fair Grounds...

James Graham earned his 3,000th career win when he piloted Vortex to victory in the second race at Fair Grounds Sunday. "It's quite emotional actually," Graham said. "I came here in 2002 and all I ever wanted was a shot. I wish my mom was still alive to see this. Thank you to everybody who has ever put me on a winner throughout my whole career. This is all because of you guys. Thank you to my wife. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be where I am. Fair...

Pin Oak Stud LLC's Parchment Party (Constitution), who overcame a bit of traffic and a tight spot inside at a crucial stage when belying debut odds of 16-1 over this track and distance Sept. 15, doubled up with an equally eye-catching performance in a Thursday allowance at Churchill Downs, becoming a new 'TDN Rising Star' in the process. He is the eighth 'Rising Star' for his WinStar-based stallion. Drawn widest in a field of 10 and only lightly regarded in the wagering at just north of 11-2, the $450,000 Keeneland...

7th-Churchill Downs, $120,000, Msw, 9-15, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:45.47, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. PARCHMENT PARTY (c, 2, Constitution--Life Well Lived, by Tiznow) sported a typically steady worktab for this outfit over the Belmont training track and shipped in from the Big Apple to make his debut here as the 16-1 second-longest shot in a field of nine. Slowly into stride from the four hole, the $450,000 Keeneland September graduate was void of any speed and settled at the back of the pack behind a moderate tempo. Still last entering the...

6th-Kentucky Downs, $255,000, Alw, 8-31, (R), 2yo, 6 1/2fT, 1:16.87, fm, 1/2 length. COIN MINER (c, 2, Cloud Computing--Require, by Blame) finished well down the center of the course on Ellis debut July 30 to miss by a neck in third and was given a 10-1 chance to graduate in this colts' division of the Keeneland Sales allowance, restricted to horses bought or led out unsold at Keeneland September last year. Settled slightly ahead of mid-division as they raced down the hill and onto the turn, Coin Miner was held...

This week's Triple Crown feature examines the trips of GI Kentucky Derby runners in detail from first to last: 1) Mage (No. 12 in TDN pre-race rankings) Mage, the little horse who could, was a characteristic beat slow out of the starting gate. Javier Castellano let him roll with the flow as the field sorted itself out through the first furlong, then darted to secure the rail while fourth-last the first time under the wire. Unhurried through the turn, this son of Good Magic ($235,000 KEESEP; $290,000 EASMAY) raced several...

Ron Faucheux, James Graham and Evelyn Benoit's Brittlyn Stable locked up titles for leading trainer, jockey and owner, respectively, at the Fair Grounds, where the 2021-2022 meeting concluded Sunday, Mar. 27. A native of Louisiana, Faucheux won his second consecutive training championship at the New Orleans oval, sending out 43 winners, a total 10 greater than Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox. Faucheux won three stakes at the meet. James Graham won 72 races during the meeting to reign as champion jockey for the third straight season and fourth overall. Among...

A little over 20 years ago, a young man from Ireland approached me about his wish to become a jockey in the United States. His name was James Graham. James impressed me so much with his dedication and work ethic that he soon was living at my home and galloping for me every day. His sweetheart, Lisa, joined him, they married, and Lisa became my treasured assistant trainer for a time. James showed tenacity and great athletic ability and became an apprentice rider. He has always been the same every...

3rd-Churchill Downs, $114,814, Msw, 4-28, 2yo, f, 5f, :58.75, ft, 3 lengths. MOLLIE KATE (f, 2, Tapizar--Forbidden Brew, by Milwaukee Brew), sent off at 4-1 for this unveiling, broke sharply and soon led Tranquil Times (Firing Line) through a crisp opening quarter in :22.19. Clear of her rival and moving easily straightening for home, the John Ennis trainee was given moderate encouragement by James Graham in the stretch, cruising home an unchallenged three-length winner over Murgatroyd (Brody's Cause). The winner, a half to Paige Anne (Take Charge Indy), MGSP, $114,540,...