C.J. Johnsen, Author at Jockey Talk 360

Smith to Donate Percentage of Travers Day Earnings

Posted by C.J. Johnsen | Aug 25, 2017 | News |

from the Blood-Horse Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has made a pledge of 1% of his earnings from Travers Day Aug. 26, to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “The horses give us so much. This is my way to give back to them,” said Smith. On Saturday he is scheduled to have four stakes mounts, including West Coast in the Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and Songbird in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1). “Mike has been an enthusiastic supporter of Grayson and we certainly appreciate this latest example of his dedication to doing what is best for the horses,” said Dell Hancock,...

Sport of Kings: Behind the Scenes at the Pegasus World Cup

Posted by C.J. Johnsen | Aug 21, 2017 | Featured, Top Video, Videos |

Wonder what it’s like to win the Kentucky Derby or Oaks? The world’s richest horse race? JockeyTalk360 takes you along for the ride with “Sport Of Kings” – a behind-the-scenes documentary series that allows viewers to follow the game through a jockey’s perspective. Executive producer Darrell Haire of the Jockey’s Guild takes the public into the jocks’ room to experience the world’s greatest races with the sport’s premier riders. Along the way, fans will witness breakthroughs being implemented for the safety and welfare of horses and riders. “Sport of Kings” premieres on JockeyTalk360.com and Facebook.com/JockeyTalk360. Ride shotgun on Mike Smith’s roller-coaster journey through the Pegasus World Cup, the Dubai World Cup, and the San Diego Handicap as Arrogate becomes the planet’s richest racehorse in just a few starts only to endure a stunning upset at Del Mar. Tune in next week for the release of the next episode of ‘Sport of Kings’: Dubai World Cup. It’s at your fingertips on JockeyTalk360.com, the website celebrating the sport of horse racing by showcasing jockeys from across the nation and around the world. The documentary film is executive produced by Darrell Haire and Darrell Haire II, co-directed by Darrell Haire II and Hector Cruz Sandoval and production and post-production by SANDOVAL MEDIA. The documentary series is sponsored by Animal Element health supplements, which incorporate only human grade ingredients in its formulas. Information on...

Carrasco Clinches Laurel Summer Meet Title

Posted by C.J. Johnsen | Aug 21, 2017 | News |

Edited Press Release Victor Carrasco went winless with his only three mounts on the afternoon but finished as the leading rider with 36 victories, three more than Jevian Toledo, who rode four winners Sunday on his 23rd birthday to cap a six-win weekend. Carrasco, 25, had his summer ended prematurely by injuries the past two years but finished this summer strong to earn his fourth Maryland riding title and first since Pimlico’s 2015 spring meet. He entered Sunday leading Sheldon Russell by six wins and Toledo by seven. Toledo swept the first two races to move into second place with 31 wins, one ahead of Russell, who was unseated by his mount, maiden filly Steve Said Don’t, exiting the gate for the third race and took off the rest of the day as a precaution. Carrasco, the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of 2013, missed nearly six weeks with a fractured shoulder blade suffered in an April 2 spill at Laurel, returning to win with his first mount back May 11 at Pimlico. “It’s always good to be on top. I’m just coming back from an injury and I’m glad. It always takes time to start over again,” Carrasco said. “People want to see you riding and see you confident and doing your best. We started off a little slow but then we started picking up business and now we’re on...

Details for The Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award Ceremony Honoring Mike Smith

Posted by C.J. Johnsen | Aug 11, 2017 | Events |

The Annual Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award Honoring Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014 This honor is given annually to someone who has served the horse racing industry with Integrity, Dedication, Determination and Distinction. Tickets are $100.00. All proceeds benefit Winners Foundation, a non-profit established to provide support, referral services for employees of the California Horse Racing community who are being adversely affected as a result of substance abuse and other issues creating crisis in their lives. Tickets and information available at www.winnersfoundation.org or by calling 626-574-6498. Share...

Roman Keeps Impressive Career Start Rolling at Del Mar

Posted by C.J. Johnsen | Aug 7, 2017 | News |

By Hank Wesch There are a few requirements for acceptance to the Escuela La Vocacional Hipica jockey school in Puerto Rico. Be over 16 years of age. Graduate from ninth grade. Weigh no more than 103 pounds and stand no taller than 5-foot-3. And have permission from a parent or guardian. Having previously been astride a horse is not a requirement. Which turned out to be a good thing for Evin Roman, the 19-year-old apprentice who is currently the sensation of the Southern California Thoroughbred racing circuit. Three years ago, when he enrolled at the school, which had produced riders like Jose and Irad Ortiz, Jr., prominent on the New York circuit, Manny Franco and Luis Ocasio, the Eclipse award winning apprentice of 2016, Roman’s experience on horseback was – zero. The son of Jorge Roman, a car dealership worker, and Catherine Martinez, had been to the races with his father many times and had a notion to become part of the scene. “When I saw the jockeys ride I got interested and asked my father to get me in to the jockeys’ school,” Roman said earlier this week through his agent Tony Matos. Meeting all the requirements, Roman got his father to sign the papers and took the initial step toward fulfilling the dream he’s now living. The first three months were spent learning about horses from the...