Hall of Fame rider

When it comes to winning Breeders' Cup races, no rider does it better than "Big Money" Mike Smith. His 27 wins leads all jockeys and is seven wins better than runner-up John Velazquez. With the Breeders' Cup quickly approaching, Smith sat down with the team at the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland and took us on a trip down memory lane. The Hall of Famer was the Guest of the Week. Of the 27 wins, is one his favorite? "It would have to be Zenyatta [in the 2009...

John Velazquez, the winningest jockey in the history of Saratoga Race Course, will serve a three-day suspension Aug. 28-30 stemming from the disqualification of his mount from a win in the tenth race there Aug. 16. Velazquez waived his right to an appeal, according to an Aug. 20 stewards' ruling posted on the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) website. The race in which Velazquez got disqualified was an $80,000 optional claiming/allowance turf route. He was aboard the 4.9-1 fourth choice in the betting, Vino Rouge (Vino Rosso), a filly...

Jockey John Velazquez made an appearance at Naas in Ireland late on Wednesday afternoon as he attempted to take home his first winner on the Emerald Isle. The Hall of Famer, who has never ridden on Irish soil before, signed on to guide Dermot Weld trainee De Janeiro (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the third race which was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET--a six-furlong maiden for 3-year-olds and up. His mount finished off the board. Before appearing at Naas, the filly ran third at Fairyhouse for Newtown Anner Stud Farm...

Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone will be the subject of a new documentary produced by Sports Illustrated Studios, a division of Authentic Studios, and Spyglass Media Group, that organization said in a press release on Friday. The documentary, which will highlight Krone's racing accolades, will be helmed by Larissa Bills, director/producer of Apple TV+'s The Super Models. "Not only is Julie one of the greatest jockeys in horse racing, she also shattered expectations and broke down barriers for all women in Thoroughbred racing," said Gary Barber, Chairman & CEO,...

He's 61, hasn't ridden since 2016 and recently had a knee replaced. For most, this would be the time to enjoy retirement and look back on a career that carried him to the heights of his profession. But Pat Valenzuela doesn't see it that way. He's been working horses at Del Mar and Santa Anita, says he feels good and is seriously contemplating making a comeback. "I'm a little heavy now, so I don't know if I'll be able to do the weight," he said. "But I'm sure going to...

Just a few days removed from his 70th birthday, Pat Day joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland to talk his career, what he's been up to since retiring in 2005 and, most of all, the Breeders' Cup. Day rode Wild Again to victory in the inaugural GI Breeders' Cup Classic in 1984 and it was an historic win that helped turn the future Hall of Famer into one of the biggest stars in the sport. Day was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. "What that...

Hall of Fame rider Pat Day was one of four new members named to the board of the Kentucky Derby Museum Sept. 15, the organization said in a release late Thursday. Joining Day, the other new Derby Museum board members include: Mark Bacon, SVP Managing Director - Super Premium American Whiskey Ashley Davis Sigman, Vice President of Davis Jewelers Eamon O'Brien, General Manager of Omni Louisville Outgoing board members Brandy Harmon, Michael Judah, and Loren Hebel-Osborne were honored during the meeting for completing their terms of service. The late Clinton...