by Tom Pedulla|05.15.2023|8:55am Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: ‘Invisible Jockey’ J.J. Delgado A Key To Mage’s Kentucky Derby Success Jockeys often volunteer to take their Kentucky Derby mounts through the last workout or two leading to the big day. They understand how vital those drills can be, and they want to do everything possible to ensure that their horses are as ready as can be. Javier Castellano, winless with his first 15 Derby starters, […]
by Tom Pedulla|04.23.2023|10:49pm Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: Sibelius A Life-Changing Horse For Chelsie Raabe Sibelius needed an exercise rider who could smooth his rough edges and take him to an elite level. Chelsie Raabe needed him much more. Although Raabe had ridden since she was young, she never planned to enter the racing world after her graduation from Miami University in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in wide-ranging integrative […]
by Tom Pedulla|03.13.202305.07.2023|1:14pm9:28pm Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: Married Couple Enjoys A Simple, Beautiful Life Together With Horses Like Mage Moises Morales was 17 when he decided to leave Chihuahua, Mexico, and attempted to cross illegally into the United States in 1977. He had little idea what awaited him, but he was intent on getting there. He was so determined that he walked through the desert day and night, only to be apprehended by border […]
by Tom Pedulla|02.20.2023|11:21am Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: U.S. Quickly Became Home Sweet Home For Irish Transplant Simon Harris Oct. 17, 1992. Simon Harris, a long-time exercise rider and valet on the New York circuit, remembers the day as if it was yesterday. It was a day of roiling emotions – sadness, anxiety, excitement. He was 24 years young and was leaving behind friends and family in Dublin, Ireland, for Ocala, Fla. He knew […]
by Tom Pedulla|01.19.202301.19.2023|8:20am8:31am Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: Barajas A ‘Kind Leader’ In Brittany Russell Stable As she prepared to launch her training career, Brittany Russell learned everything she could as an understudy to top-flight conditioners such as Jonathan Sheppard, Brad Cox, Jimmy Jerkens and Ron Moquett. She also kept a close eye on her fellow workers. Luis Barajas, a groom for Moquett, stood apart from the crowd. “He was a […]
by Tom Pedulla|12.21.2022|12:24pm Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: Future Trainer Estrada Found His Calling In Helping Others Johnathan Estrada feels very much at home at Belmont Park. His parents worked as grooms there. He is proud to be part of the first graduating class of Anna House, established in 2002 as a daycare and early education center for children of backstretch employees at the Elmont, N.Y., track. Estrada, 21, has been employed […]
by Tom Pedulla|11.16.2022|1:43pm Kirkpatrick & Co. Presents In Their Care: Once Filled With Anxiety, Hotwalker Freeman Says Horses Give Him ‘Great Calming Effect’ Jordan Freeman never imagined his work as a hotwalker would provide a livelihood while being medicinal. That is the way it has played out. The 27-year-old Toronto native has not had an easy life. He was diagnosed at a young age with Asperger syndrome, a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum that affects the ability […]
by Tom Pedulla|10.20.202210.20.2022|3:40pm3:52pm Kirkpatrick & Co Presents In Their Care: Flightline, Exercise Rider Juan Leyva ‘A Match Made In Heaven’ Flightline’s immense natural ability is obvious. The 4-year-old son of Tapit will take a perfect 5 for 5 record into the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, dominating his starts by a combined 62 ¾ lengths. In his first test around two turns, the Sept. 3 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, he dusted his rivals by […]
by Tom Pedulla|09.26.202209.27.2022|1:19pm11:43am Kirkpatrick & Co Presents In Their Care: Maple Leaf Mel’s Name Is A Tribute To One Woman’s Courage, Dedication Bill Parcells displayed brilliance throughout his 19 seasons as a National Football League head coach to earn enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, at 81, he is still making all the right moves as a Thoroughbred owner. Parcells offered a fitting tribute to the courage and talent of Melanie Giddings, a native […]
by Tom Pedulla|08.25.202208.26.2022|1:31pm8:21pm Kirkpatrick & Co Presents In Their Care: Years After Sitting In The Wrong One, Ettedgui Has Found His Seat Luis Ettedgui began following Hofburg, bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, in the spring of 2018. The teenager’s interest intensified when the chestnut son of Tapit placed second in the Florida Derby, leading him to persuade his father, Alberto, to purchase general admission tickets to the Kentucky Derby. Heavy rain forced them to seek shelter […]