New York Racing Association

NYRA Notes
Friday, January 27, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

Alpha Godolphin Racing’s promising sophomore Alpha will likely turn in a work for next Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes Sunday or Monday at Belmont Park. A comfortable winner of the Count Fleet at the Big A on January 7 despite some gate trouble, Alpha has been schooling in the gate regularly since the race and will continue that work this week in preparation for 1 1/16-mile Withers, said Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin... more

Apprentice Jockey Profile: Jose I. Rodriguez
Friday, January 27, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Jose I. Rodriguez It may be the middle of winter in New York City, but for apprentice jockey Jose I. Rodriguez, being able to ride at Aqueduct Racetrack these days is a dream come true. “When I was growing up in Puerto Rico, we used to listen to the races on the radio,” said Rodriguez, 21, shortly after winning Thursday’s fourth race aboard D’ Sauvage for his fourth victory of the inner track meet... more

Time Is Right For Bahia Beach In Affectionately
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
By Jon Forbes

David Cohen Bahia Beach, a veteran of the allowance ranks at Charles Town, will make her stakes debut on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack in the $75,000 Affectionately, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares. Owned by Silverton Hill, Bahia Beach has won four races from 12 starts, including two straight at Charles Town. more

I Want Revenge Among Familiar Faces For Evening Attire
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

I Want Revenge Named for the venerable gelding whose career spanned eight years, Saturday’s $75,000 Evening Attire at Aqueduct Racetrack has drawn a field of five veterans headed by 2009’s Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner, I Want Revenge. The 1 1/6 mile Evening Attire, originally scheduled for January 21, will be run as race 3 on Saturday’s 10-race card, along with the $75,000 Affectionately for fillies and mares... more

NYRA Statement Regarding New York State Comptroller Audit Report And Press Release
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
By Dan Silver

The following is a statement regarding the Audit Report 2011-F-16 and the corresponding press statement released by the Office of the New York State Comptroller on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) took very seriously the recommendations ... more

Inherit The Gold Adds Haynesfield Stakes To Big A Tally
Sunday, January 22, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Inherit The Gold Inherit the Gold made his eighth appearance in the Aqueduct Racetrack winner’s circle on Sunday, coming from off the pace to post a 6 ¼-length victory in the $75,000 Haynesfield for New York-breds 4-years-old and up. The 6-year-old gray gelding settled 3 ½ lengths behind the pacesetter in fourth, ahead of just one horse, the slow-starting Spa City Fever, through opening fractions of 23.44 and 48.42... more

NYRA Apprentice Jockey Profile: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Friday, January 20, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Irad Ortiz, Jr. Apprentice Irad Ortiz, Jr. has a long way to go if he wants to emulate famous Puerto Rican jockeys Eddie Belmonte, Angel Cordero, Jr., and John Velazquez, but winning 70 races from 630 mounts on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit in 2011 was a pretty good start. Originally from Trujillo Alto in Puerto Rico, Ortiz is a graduate of that country’s Escuela Vocacional Hípica, a school for prospective jockeys. His grandfather, also named Irad Ortiz, was a jockey, and so is his uncle, Ivan Ortiz... more

Havre de Grace Led Champions Who Took New York Road to Eclipse Honors
Wednesday, January 20, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Havre de Grace Led by 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, a number of horse racing’s newest champions turned in outstanding performances on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit en route to being honored with Eclipse Awards Monday night in Beverly Hills, Calif. ... more

King and Crusader Conquers Jimmy Winkfield On Short Rest
Monday, January 16, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

King and Crusader King and Crusader, winner of a one-mile optional claimer at Aqueduct Racetrack on Friday, bounced back quickly to take Monday’s $75,000, six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield Stakes. Patiently ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, King and Crusader sat a wide trip in third through opening fractions of 22.48 and 45.42 set by favored Yo Koffy who was pressed by Deliburnsky... more

Havre de Grace’s Woodward Voted NYRA’S ‘Race Of The Year’
Monday, January 16, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Havre de Grace Fans have voted the 2011 Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, in which Havre de Grace became the second female to win the race in its 58-year history, as The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) Race of the Year. Havre de Grace’s Woodward received 37 percent of the vote, with the Foxwoods King’s Bishop, won narrowly by Caleb’s Posse over Uncle Mo, checking in second with 23 percent... more

Davis Released From Hospital With Negative X-Rays After Sunday Spill At Aqueduct
Monday, January 16, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

Jackie Davis Jockey Jackie Davis was released from North Shore University Hospital early Monday morning after X-rays and scans came back negative following a spill Sunday after the conclusion of the ninth race at Aqueduct Racetrack. Ryan Curatolo, also involved in the incident, walked off the track and appeared uninjured. “Her initial X-rays were negative, but she told the doctors she was still in pain, so they did a CT scan, and that was also negative,”... more

Garcia, Alvarado Escape Serious Injury In Saturday Spill At Aqueduct
Sunday, January 15, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Alan Garcia UPDATE Sunday, January 15, 2012: After experiencing residual soreness from his fall on Saturday, jockey Alan Garcia is off is off his Sunday mounts at Aqueduct. “He’s pretty sore at this point,” said agent Ron Anderson... more

Promising Filly Agave Kiss Pours It On In Ruthless
Saturday, January 14, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Agave Kiss Agave Kiss took another step forward in her unbeaten career, taking the $75,000 Ruthless for 3-year-old fillies by 3 ¼ lengths on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. Looking for her third straight victory, Agave Kiss seized a two-length lead through an opening quarter mile in 22.62 seconds... more

Libby Loftus And Michael Imperio Donate $50,000 To The Belmont Child Care Association In Memory Of General Maximus
Friday, January 13, 2012
Contact: Stuart Chenkin

The Belmont Child Care Association has received a donation of $50,000.00 from Libby Loftus and Michael Imperio in memory of their late horse, General Maximus. The Belmont Child Care Association will dedicate one of the new rooms at Anna House in his memory... more

NYRA Apprentice Jockey Profile: Ryan Curatolo
Friday, January 13, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Ryan Curatolo When Ryan Curatolo went to Florida in 2010 to join his vacationing father, his resume consisted of a diploma from a jockey school near Chantilly and two last-place finishes over the course of a year in his native France. “I thought, ‘If I go to Florida and I ride one horse per week, that would be nice,’” recalled Curatolo recently as he sat outside the jockey’s quarters at Aqueduct Racetrack. “There’s no way I could have seen all that’s happened to me since then.”... more

Statement Regarding NYRA’s Advanced Deposit Wagering Account Funding Practices
Friday, January 13, 2012
By Dan Silver

The following is a response to the letter sent by Robert L. Megna, Chairman of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, to New York State Racing and Wagering Board (NYSRWB) Chairman John Sabini, dated January 11, 2012, in regards to The New York Racing Association, Inc’s (NYRA) policies on its advanced deposit wagering account funding practices... more

Migliore Hosting Next “New Owners Luncheon” At Big A
Friday, January 13, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Richard Migliore Former champion jockey Richard Migliore will be the host of The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) fourth “New Owners Luncheon” at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, February 4. Initiated at Belmont Park last spring, the program provides a comprehensive introduction and overview of thoroughbred ownership in an effort to bring new owners to the sport of horse racing. The event will begin at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast in the Equestris restaurant... more

NYRA Announces Signed 2012 Calendar Contest On Facebook
Thursday, January 12, 2012
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is giving away 25 signed copies of the 2012 NYRA Calendar through a special contest only available to fans of the official NYRA Facebook page. Fans can make their free entry on the NYRA Facebook page, located at the following... more

Gains In On-Track Handle And Account Wagering Help NYRA To Overcome NYCOTB Closure
Thursday, January 12, 2012
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) saw substantial gains in on-track handle and NYRA Rewards account wagering in 2011, helping to overcome the closure of New York City Off-Track Betting (NYCOTB), which had accounted for nearly 10 percent of total handle on NYRA races in 2010... more

NYRA To Offer Second-Chance Calendar Promotion At Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Café
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Those who were unable to visit Aqueduct Racetrack or the Belmont Café on New Year’s Day will have a second chance to pick up a 2012 New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) calendar on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 16. A limited number of calendars will be available for $2 at Aqueduct and at the Belmont Café while supplies last. Sales are limited to five per person... more

Alpha, Captivating Lass Make Impressive 2012 Debuts For Mclaughlin
Saturday, January 7, 2012
By Jenny Kellner and Jon Forbes

Alpha Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin unleashed a pair of eye-catching 3-year-olds Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, with odds-on favorite Alpha taking the $150,000 Count Fleet by 2 ½ lengths and Captivating Lass coming on late to capture the $100,000 Busanda for fillies in a thrilling finish... more

ROAP Apprentice Program Announces First Host Track
Friday, January 6, 2012
Contact: Cathy O'Meara

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will host the first apprentice of the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) Apprentice Program beginning in January 2012, it was announced today by ROAP. The goal of the program is to educate the apprentice in all aspects of the racing industry, including all racing official positions, most importantly the stewards’ stand, through a practical immersion program... more

Many Eclipse Finalists Took Road Through New York
Thursday, January 5, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Havre de Grace From Havre de Grace to Caleb’s Posse, Union Rags to Tizway, Cape Blanco to Royal Delta, finalists in nearly every category for the upcoming Eclipse Awards turned in outstanding performances on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit in 2011. The winners of the divisional awards, along with the finalists and winner of Horse of the Year honors, will be announced during the 41st Eclipse Awards on Monday evening, January 16, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif... more

Four-Win Monday at the Big A for Apprentice Irad Ortiz Jr.
Monday, January 2, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Irad Ortiz Jr. Apprentice Irad Ortiz, Jr. ascended to fifth place in the inner track jockey standings with a four-win afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack on Monday. Ortiz started the streak in race 2 aboard Saltamontes ($10.20) and next visited the winner’s circle following race 5 aboard favored Tonigail ($6.30). The 19-year-old apprentice from Puerto Rico finished the afternoon with a sweep of the late double on Guyana Princess ($9.60) and Haya’s Boy ($7.50) in races 8 and 9 ... more

Alvarado Kicks Off 2012 With Four Wins At Big A
Sunday, January 1, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Junior Alvarado Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrated the New Year at Aqueduct Racetrack by winning four races, including the 141st running of the $75,000 Ladies Handicap with C C’s Pal.... more

Another Year, Another Interborough Win For Nicole H
Sunday, January 1, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Nicole H Mirroring 2011, Nicole H commenced the New Year with a victory in the $75,000 Interborough at Aqueduct Racetrack. Odds-on to post a repeat victory in the six-furlong race for fillies and mares... more

C C’S Pal Rings In New Year With Victory In Ladies ‘Cap
Sunday, January 1, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

C C's Pal C C’s Pal started off the New Year the same way she ended her 2011 campaign – in the winner’s circle at Aqueduct Racetrack. Taking over from the pacesetters in midstretch, the 5-year-old mare rolled to a commanding 2 ¾-length victory in the 141st edition of the $75,000 Ladies Handicap... more

Dominguez, Pletcher, Flying Zee Top 2011 NYRA Standings
Sunday, January 1, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Ramon Dominguez Reigning Eclipse champions Ramon Dominquez and Todd Pletcher once again dominated The New York Racing Association, Inc. circuit in 2011, with Dominguez capturing his third straight NYRA riding title and Pletcher repeating as top trainer... more

Spa City Fever Springs Upset In Alex M. Robb
Saturday, December 31, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Spa City Fever Making the most of his final opportunity to win a race in 2011, Spa City Fever held off a pair of late challenges to post a $71.00 upset in the $75,000 Alex M. Robb, a race for New York-breds 3-years-old and up on New Year’s Eve at Aqueduct Racetrack... more

NYRA And Creative Racing Solutions Launch Racequest; Beginner Friendly Handicapping Application
Thursday, December 29, 2011
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Creative Racing Solutions (CRS) have announced the launch of RaceQuest, a beginner friendly online handicapping application aimed at new and novice horseplayers that also synthesizes handicapping angles into a useful wagering tool for the experienced bettor... more

Thoroughbred Times Names @AndySerling “Best Racing-Related Twitter Account”; Saratoga Names “Best Racetrack To Bet”
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
By Ashley Herriman

Andy Serling NYRA television analyst Andy Serling’s Twitter account has been named the best in the game by the Thoroughbred Times in their “Best of 2011” year-end awards, which are decided entirely by readers through an online survey on the publication’s website. Responders also designated Saratoga Race Course the “best racetrack to bet” in this year’s poll. Serling, who co-hosts much of NYRA’s television programming, has been active on Twitter since July, 2009, and uses the service daily to give out selections and provide analysis for the races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga... more

Dominguez And Studart To Participate On 2012 MDA Muscle Team
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
By Dan Silver

Ramon Dominguez Jockeys Ramon Dominguez and Maylan Studart will be among the Metro-New York athletes participating on the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) 2012 Muscle Team for the 15th Annual Muscle Team Gala & Benefit Auction scheduled for Tuesday, January 3 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. The Auction is a high-profile reception and fundraiser, offering guests the opportunity to mix and mingle with their favorite Metro-New York athletes. The annual event gathers top local athletes who have chosen to put their muscle behind the search to find a cure for neuromuscular diseases... more

NYRA Lowers Takeout on Exotics
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced that takeout on Trifecta, Superfecta, Grand Slam, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 6 wagers will be lowered by two percentage points to correct an unintentional oversight by which NYRA’s takeout for exotic wagers was one point above the statutory limit ... more

Frazil Earns First Stakes Victory In Gravesend
Saturday, December 17, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Frazil Frazil emerged victorious from a three-way duel out of the starting gate and held off a fast-closing Pretty Boy Freud Saturday afternoon to win the 53rd running of the $65,000 Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, his first stakes triumph... more

NYRA Awarded “Best On-Track Handicapping Tournament” For Third Straight Year
Saturday, December 17, 2011
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has been awarded its third consecutive Conny by American Turf Monthly magazine as the host of the “Best On-Track Handicapping Tournament.”... more

Dominguez’s Hot Streak Sets NYRA Record
Friday, December 16, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Ramon Dominguez Ramon Dominguez’s victory in race 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack Thursday afternoon, his seventh straight in races in which he rode, set a record for consecutive wins by a jockey on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit. In a streak that stretched over two days, Dominguez, the reigning Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s top jockey, went 4-for-4 on Wednesday in races 5-8, and went 3-for-3 on Thursday in races 1, 2 and 4... more

Aqueduct Racetrack Earns Re-Accreditation From The NTRA Safety And Integrity Alliance
Friday, December 16, 2011
Contact: Eric Wing

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., has earned re-accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. The re-accreditation followed a complete review of all racing operations at the facility during its current, live meeting... more

Forbes' Firsters for Sunday, December 18
Friday, December 16, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Forbes’ Firsters is a series that takes a glance at the pedigrees and sales histories of select 2-year-olds who are making their debuts in maiden special weight races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, or Saratoga Race Course ... more

Dominguez Continues Hot Streak At Big A With 4 More Winners
Thursday, December 15, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Ramon Dominguez Jockey Ramon Dominguez continued his hot streak at Aqueduct Racetrack on Thursday afternoon, adding four more winners to his quartet of victories on Wednesday. In a streak that stretched over two days, the 35-year-old reinsman won eight of nine races in which he rode, including seven straight... more

Fans Can Vote For NYRA’s “Race of the Year”
Thursday, December 15, 2011
By NYRA Press Office

Tizway Many of the year’s most memorable races took place at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, and beginning today and through January 15, 2012, fans can choose from among five thrilling races and cast their ballots for The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) “Race of the Year.” ... more

Forbes' Firsters for Saturday, December 17
Thursday, December 15, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Dominguez Racks Up Four Straight Wednesday At Aqueduct
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
By Ashley Herriman

Ramon Dominguez With four consecutive winners Wednesday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, Ramon Dominguez advanced to sixth place in the inner track jockey standings after missing the first five days of the meet while competing in the World Super Jockeys Series on December 3 and 4 at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan. Dominguez kicked off his streak in race 5, a maiden claiming event, aboard Pleasant Pacific ($6.10)... more

Ron The Greek Conquers Queens County; Ortiz Wins Four
Saturday, December 10, 2011
By Ashley Herriman

Ron The Greek Ron the Greek dictated the pace and drew clear in the stretch to take Saturday’s 106th running of the $65,000 Queens County at Aqueduct Racetrack over favored Inherit the Gold. Drawn inside, Ron the Greek covered a quarter-mile in 24.30 and a half in 49.35 while being pressed by longshot Fonda Ronda Won, who in turn was followed by Inherit the Gold... more

Ferriola, Three-Time Leading NYRA Trainer, Dies At 69
Friday, December 9, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Peter Ferriola Peter Ferriola, who topped The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) trainer standings in 1987, 1991, and 1992, died Friday morning in Spring Hill, Fla. from complications of a stroke and chronic diabetes. He was 69. In a career that spanned 1978-2001, Ferriola garnered nine meet titles at Aqueduct Racetrack and two at Belmont Park. He retired with a record of 1,129 wins, 999 seconds, and 900 thirds from 6,085 starts and $26,292,286 in purse earnings... more

Dominguez Back At Aqueduct Following Trip To Japan
Friday, December 9, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Ramon Dominguez Jockey Ramon Dominguez has returned to Aqueduct Racetrack after competing in the World Super Jockeys Series last Saturday and Sunday at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan. Dominguez and John Velazquez, both regulars on the NYRA circuit, represented the United States in the World Super Jockey Series, which comprised four races and featured 15 riders from around the world... more

$81K Double Pick 6 Carryover Into Friday’s Card
Friday, December 9, 2011
By Jon Forbes

The Friday Pick 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack will feature a carryover of $81,761 after the wager eluded bettors for a second straight day... more

13 Graded Races Worth $3.75 Mil Highlight Aqueduct Winter/Spring Stakes Schedule
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) released the stakes schedule for Aqueduct Racetrack’s 2012 winter/spring meet, with the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial on Saturday, April 7 the centerpiece of 13 graded stakes worth $3.75 million for the 79-day meet which begins on January 1... more

Chavez Sidelined At Least Five Months Following Sunday Spill at Aqueduct
Monday, December 5, 2011
By Ashley Herriman

Jorge Chavez Jockey Jorge Chavez, who was unseated during the running of the ninth race at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday, December 4, was diagnosed at North Shore University Hospital with a left clavicle fracture, five left rib fractures, and fractures of the L1 and L2 vertebrae, according to the NYRA Jockey Advocate. He will be sidelined at least five months, said his agent, David Grace ... more

Lenders Way Adds Interest To East View
Sunday, December 4, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Junior Alvarado After finishing third in two straight stakes, Lenders Way will attempt to earn a breakthrough victory when she competes on Wednesday in Aqueduct Racetrack’s $65,000 East View for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies. The one mile, 70-yard East View will be the first start beyond seven furlongs for Lenders Way, who was third in both the seven-furlong Joseph A. Gimma in Memory of Fleet Indian on October 22 at Belmont and six-furlong NYSS Fifth Avenue on November 13 at the Big A... more

Big A’s Inner Track Is A Course For All Reasons
Sunday, December 4, 2011
By NYRA Press Office

Fall doesn’t officially end until 12:29 a.m. (EST) on December 22, but there’s no surer harbinger of winter than the inner track season at Aqueduct Racetrack, a magnet for ambitious young jockeys, canny trainers and hard-knocking claimers since its opening in 1976... more

Father-Daughter Davis Duo Team Up For Milestone Victory
Saturday, December 3, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Robbie & Jackie Davis Former jockey Robbie Davis got his first win as a trainer Saturday afternoon as 39-1 shot Sandyinthesun, ridden by his daughter, Jackie, got up by a nose to win the seventh race at Aqueduct Racetrack. “To me, it’s better than any win I ever rode,” said Davis, who co-owns the 4-year-old gelded son of Say Florida Sandy with Thomas Ponzarella. “It was an incredible race. It’s unimaginable, the feeling.”... more

C C’s Pal Shows New Dimension In Garland Of Roses Win
Saturday, December 3, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Jim Leyritz Even-money favorite C C’s Pal made her inner track debut a winning one Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, collaring Isn’t She Grand in midstretch and going on to a 2 ¼-length victory in the 26th running of the $65,000 Garland of Roses. Entering the six-furlong race off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Go for Wand Handicap on November 25, C C’s Pal was content to run third along the rail behind Isn’t She Grand as she set fractions of 23.97 and 46.86. Moving up quickly... more

Curatolo Wins Four At Aqueduct; Tied With Fellow Apprentice Ortiz For Inner Track Lead
Friday, December 2, 2011
By Dan Silver

Ryan Curatolo Apprentice jockey Ryan Curatolo won four races on Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack and is tied with fellow apprentice Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the inner track meet lead with six victories after three days. Curatolo, 19, swept races 2 through 5 on the Aqueduct card, with Awesome Arceno ($5.60), Brooklyn Red ($4.20), Warrior Marie ($8.20), and Schillerette ($13.40) providing the horsepower... more

Grade 1 Winner Haynesfield Retired
Friday, December 2, 2011
By NYRA Press Office

Haynesfield Harvey Weinstein’s Turtle Bird Stable announced today that multiple stakes-winning millionaire Haynesfield has been retired from racing. A stakes winner each year he raced from age’s two to five; Haynesfield won 10 of his 19 lifetime starts and retires with earnings of $1,319,481... more

Tug Of War Will Make First Start For New Connections in Damon Runyon
Thursday, December 1, 2011
By Jon Forbes

Cornelio Velasquez Tug of War, previously conditioned by recently retired trainer Ramon “Mike” Hernandez, will make his first start for Heriberto Cedano in Sunday’s $65,000 Damon Runyon at Aqueduct Racetrack. The Damon Runyon will be contested at one mile, 70 yards on the inner track and attracted a well-matched field of nine 2-year-old New York-breds... more

Trainer Ramon “Mike” Hernandez Retiring At 86
Thursday, December 1, 2011
By Jenny Kellner

Ramon Hernandez Trainer Ramon “Mike” Hernandez, the oldest active trainer on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit, is retiring at the age 86 after a 60-year career. “I will be relaxing and spending time with my three daughters [Teresa, Catherine and Mary], who all live in New York, so I will be around,” said Hernandez, who saddled Chester and Mary Broman’s Skinnydipper... more

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