John Velazquez

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Just about a half hour after the fact, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez gave 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Golden Tempo (Curlin) his flowers. At the age of 54, Johnny V. seems to get better as he ages and when he sees a performance worthy of some praise, he'll give it. Even if he is on the wrong side of the result. That was the case early Saturday evening at Saratoga Race Course following the 158th running of the GI $2-million Belmont Stakes. Velazquez,...

Classic Q (f, 4, Classic Empire--Lovely Em, by Scat Daddy) is proving classy "to a T." Last seen securing her first graded win on Kentucky Derby Day in the GII Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes, the Gary Barber, Blue Crevalle Racing, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners colorbearer doubled up on Belmont Stakes Day, capturing the $500,000 GI Just a Game Stakes at Saratoga in front-running fashion. In addition to kicking off the graded action on a stellar day of racing for the much-heralded Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the Just a...

Trainer Brad Cox's trio of Kentucky Derby hopefuls--Commandment (Into Mischief), Fulleffort (Liam's Map) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' Further Ado (Gun Runner)--highlighted a bustling morning at Churchill Downs a week out from Derby 152. Working during the 7:15-7:30 (all times Eastern) training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks prospects, the Cox trio was joined by Chester Broman's Right to Party (Constitution) (five furlongs in 1:01.20) for trainer Kenny McPeek. For Team Cox the group included Wathnan Racing's Commandment (five furlongs in 1:01.40 in company with the 4-year-old...

[tdn-newsletter-embed]Three Chimneys Farm's GUN RANGE (c, 3, Gun Runner--Bella Carina, by War Front) went up to the leading duo three abreast at the midstretch marker and kicked home to score by five convincing lengths, giving trainer Wesley Ward his 300th training victory at Keeneland. He is just the third to accomplish that particular feat, joining Bill Mott and Rusty Arnold. "This is such a special place," Ward told FanDuel TV. "When I came here 19 years ago, I knew this was a place for me. It's such a wonderful, wonderful...

The Jockeys' Guild Education Foundation (JGEF), an initiative dedicated entirely to the educational empowerment of professional jockeys, has been launched through a partnership between the Lavin Family Foundation, Glen Hill Farm, and the Jockeys' Guild. Through scholarships, personalized academic guidance, and practical skills training, JGEF will aim to give jockeys the tools to build financial security and employment opportunities during and after their riding careers. Prior to its official start date of July 1, JGEF will be circulating a survey to jockeys and will be forming focus groups in coordination...

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Further Ado (Gun Runner) was tabbed by track oddsmaker Nick Tammaro as the 8-5 morning line favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds for Saturday's 102nd running of the $1.25 million GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland said via a press release on Tuesday. Contested at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, the Blue Grass offers 200 qualifying points for the GI Kentucky Derby. The winner receives 100 points with a sliding scale of 50-25-15-10 points to the second- through fifth-place finishers. The...

As we crest the three-month mark to the GI Kentucky Derby, the breakthrough performance by Nearly (Not This Time) in the Jan. 31 GIII Holy Bull Stakes raises several questions related to timing, taking into account both macro and micro perspectives. The first relates to the timing of Nearly's 5 3/4-length score over five rivals barely 48 hours after the news that juvenile champ and TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) had been diagnosed with bone bruising and was declared off the Kentucky Derby trail. Both...

Johnny Velazquez, who has served as Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild for more than 20 years and as Co-Chair with Mike Smith since 2018, will be stepping down from that role, the organization announced Thursday. The members have elected Smith and Javier Castellano as Co-Chairs; Joe Bravo, James Flores, and Julien Leparoux as Co-Vice Chairs; Tyler Gaffalione as Secretary; and Julien Leparoux as Treasurer. In addition, Alex Birzer, James Graham, Rodney Prescott, and Velazquez will serve on the Board of Directors. Velazquez will also remain actively involved with the Guild...

Trainer Leo O'Brien, a long-time New York fixture as well as father-in-law of rider John Velazquez, has passed away, according to a release from the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). He was 85. Officials at NYRA penned a tribute to O'Brien. It appears here in its entirety: NYRA mourns the loss of the legendary Leo O'Brien--trainer of New York-bred millionaires Fourstardave, Fourstars Allstar and Irish Linnet--who passed away Thursday morning following a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia, at the age of 85. O'Brien and his late wife, Joan,...

7th-GP, 84K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m, 3:18 p.m. The Danny Gargan-trained SONG OF SARAH (Curlin) makes her Gulfstream Park debut Sunday for owners CSLR Racing Partners, R. A. Hill Stable and Belmar Racing and Breeding. The $140,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale grad of last year is the latest foal out of Canadian Champion Older Mare Embur's Song who banked north of $616,000 in her own racing career including a track record-setting score in Keeneland's GIII Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes. Embur's Song is also a half-sister to...

The New York jockey colony refused to ride after Sunday's first race at Aqueduct because of a number of recent problems they have said they were having with NYRA management. The latest incident occurred around the time of the first race when the jockeys learned that NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman was told to leave work and go home after he balked at additional duties that NYRA had asked him to do. Pochman was not fired. "I have never seen such disrespect to a jockey colony and the...

DEL MAR, Calif. - Hopefully they don't make a typo on his Eclipse trophy. Spendthrift Farm's Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' completed his championship season a perfect four-for-four with a one-length decision in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. Longshot Mr. A. P. (American Pharoah) rallied to grab second from 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Brant (Gun Runner). Ted Noffey is the 16th Breeders' Cup winner for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and his fifth in the Juvenile. "What I...