Featured - Jockey Talk 360

Tight Standings Show Ellis Park Jockey Colony Lives up to Billing

Aug 15, 2016 | Featured, Jennie Rees | 0 |

By Jennie Rees ‘Everybody is getting chance to ride good horses, and it shows’ HENDERSON, Ky. (Aug. 14, 2016) — Going into the 2016 Ellis Park meeting, the jockey colony shaped up as its best in years, if not decades or even ever, based on accomplishments. It has lived up to that hype, though what might not have been expected was just how much parity there would be: With 10 racing dates left in the meet, Miguel Mena tops the standings with 16 victories, but six other riders are within four victories. Corey Lanerie, a two-time Ellis titlist...

Castellano’s Saratoga Blog – Week 4

Aug 12, 2016 | Castellano's Saratoga Blog | 0 |

Each week, jockey Javier Castellano, who won the last three Eclipse Awards for being North America’s most outstanding jockey, is sharing a Saratoga Blog. This is the fourth of seven installments, with the questions coming from turf writer Bob Fortus. Bob Fortus: On Thursday, you won going a mile and three-quarters (on Turco Brave in the Birdstone). That’s an unusual distance in U.S. racing. Is it particularly challenging for the jockey to ride that distance? Javier Castellano: “We’re not used to that kind of racing … a very long distance. I’m very fortunate to be in good shape. To...

Castellano’s Saratoga Blog – Week 3

Aug 5, 2016 | Castellano's Saratoga Blog | 0 |

Each week, jockey Javier Castellano, who won the last three Eclipse Awards for being North America’s most outstanding jockey, is sharing a Saratoga Blog. This is the third of seven installments, with the questions coming from turf writer Bob Fortus. Bob Fortus: Flintshire, who won the Bowling Green last Saturday, had to be you highlight for last week, wouldn’t you say? Javier Castellano: “Yeah. Tremendous. I never rode horses like that. So powerful. A strong kick. And I think he’s one of the best horses in the world. He hooked up with the best horses in Dubai, Hong Kong,...

Castellano’s Saratoga Blog – Week 2

Jul 29, 2016 | Castellano's Saratoga Blog, Featured | 0 |

Each week, jockey Javier Castellano, who won the last three Eclipse Awards for being North America’s most outstanding jockey, is sharing a Saratoga Blog. This is the second of seven installments, with the questions coming from turf writer Bob Fortus. Bob Fortus: How would you describe your meet so far? Are you happy with the way things are going? Javier Castellano: “It’s early, but so far so good. Opening day, a couple seconds. The horses ran pretty good. And the second day, Saturday, I had a great day. I won four races. Nice and smooth, straight-forward. And the next...

Castellano’s Saratoga Blog – Opening Week

Jul 23, 2016 | Castellano's Saratoga Blog, Featured | 0 |

For the second consecutive season at the Spa, jockey Javier Castellano graciously has agreed to be your eyes and ears. Each week, Castellano, who won the last three Eclipse Awards for being North America’s most outstanding jockey, will be sharing his Saratoga Blog. This is the first of seven installments. What does Saratoga mean to you? “Saratoga Race Course is very special to me. Saratoga, in my opinion, is one of the most prestigious race meetings in all the world. The quality of racing is second to none. Quality horsemen and riders from throughout the country compete on a daily basis. The...