THE HORSE GAZETTE


TEXAS HORSE INDUSTRY’S INFORMATIONAL SOURCE SINCE 1996


day in mid-May at “Old Hill- top” better known as Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland nearly 96,000 race fans converged to see the 135th Preakness Stakes known as the “Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown,” or the “Run for the the Black-Eyed Susans.”


their finest millinery sipping “Black-eyed Susans” and cigar smoking gents, there are Exact-


Among the ladies in


Photo and Article by Laurie Virkstis On a gorgeous Satur-


Volume Fourteen - Issue Eleven July 2010


Baffert gets his preak on! Last minute jockey change gets lucky


as, Trifectas, and Superfectas to keep us sharp on our wagering skills. Some wagering folks forgo the racing stats and just let the restaurant waiters pick their horses for them, perhaps having just as much luck picking their own winners. Minutes before post time the wagering stats change continuously. Since the 1st weekend in May, the nation- al favorite was Calvin Borel on Supersaver. Borel was going for a 2nd Triple Crown leg win after his spot-on effort in the Kentucky Derby, and a chance to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown champion. We are ever hopeful for the next Triple Crown winner; a title that has eluded race competitors since Affirmed in 1978.


two clear favorites emerge, Borel on Winstar’s “Super- saver” and Martin Garcia on “Lookin At Lucky.” Appar- ently, the crowd approved of a bold move by Trainer Bob Baffert to change jockeys on Lucky just a week before the


On this May 15, 2010


year old California Deli worker turned jockey, was so excited about the change in jockeys; he stayed up all night excited by what a Preakness win could mean for him. Garcia grew up around horses, but has only been riding five years and in the US for less than seven. It was his former boss Deli owner, Terri Terry, who took Martin to see her horses and he was a natural, hopping up without a saddle. Terry introduced Gar- cia to friend and race trainer, Mark Hanna, and the rest is as they say “history.”


jockey, Garrett Gomez, that he would replace him with Martin Garcia for the 135th Preakness race. Gomez had a bad ride on Lookin At Lucky in the Derby where the colt was bounced around to 6th place. Garcia, the jockey who loved and warmed up the colt in the mornings would now replace afternoon jockey, Gomez. Martin Garcia, a 25


important stakes race. Baffert told former


Baffert’s expert advice tell- ing the young jockey he can’t be more than 3 paths off the rail with Lucky and followed it. Bob Baffert beamed with delight with his 5th Preakness win and Garcia’s performance “He rode a perfect race. He’s a superstar.” Baffert’s last Preakness win was eight years ago in 2002. Crowd favorite Calvin Borel placed 8th on Supersaver, saying he came up empty on the Derby winner.


Garcia, listened to


like to see all the young horses compete in all three famous legs of the Triple Crown - the Kentucky Derby, the Baltimore Preakness, and in the longest race Belmont Park in New York. There are discussions about changing the race dates so the young horses can com- pete equally and have more time off for recovery. Race veteran, Nick Zito, opposes the change and thinks racing just needs to wait for it’s next Secretariat. The proposed dates are the Kentucky Derby on the 1st Saturday in May, the Preak- ness on Memorial Weekend,


Many say they would


and finally the Belmont on July 4th weekend. To see more Preak-


ness highlights visit: http:// www. laur ievi rkst is.com/ Horse-Racing-HRTV/The- 135th-Preakness/12194033_ pM65W#868859481_srubX


25 year old Martin Garcia wins the 135th Preakness on “Lookin At Lucky”. Center: Presentation of the historic Woodlawn Vase. Above: Ramon Dominguez on “First Dude” (#11) keeps an eye on Martin Garcia (#7) near the finish line as he goes for it on “Lookin At Lucky”


Photos: Far Left:


“Home of the Original 30-Day Exchange Guarantee”


“Fred” is a 9-year-old, 15h gorgeous sorrel gelding. He’s a nice friendly horse with a good attitude, with a mind that is willing to forgive mistakes. He rides out very smooth and easy, is super controllable with a good rein, stop, and back up. Fred could be suit- able for the trails, the lesson pen, and is an excellent prospect for a performance horse. This horse could excel at anything you want to train and use him for. He has the looks, the agility, and the attitude to make a really good all around horse. Beginner and Novice riders would feel comfortable and safe, and the In- termediate and Experienced riders would be thrilled with him.


“Bud” is an 8-year-old. 14.3h, AQHA blue roan gelding. He has been used mainly for lessons and trail riding. This horse has a su- per response to all of his riding cues, giving him an excellent neck rein, stop, and reverse. He is very personable and has a super forgiv- ing attitude if you should make a mistake. He is definitely gentle and safe enough for the Beginner and Novice riders; however they should ride him first with supervision due to his prompt response to all of his riding cues. He would be enjoyed and appreciated most by the Intermediate and Experienced riders.


“Peso” is a 13-year-old, 15h red and white paint gelding. This horse has been used as a lesson/trail horse and ranch horse. This is a nice quiet polite horse that rides on a loose rein and has a good turn, stop, and back up. This horse is quiet and gentle enough for the Beginner and Novice riders, yet well trained enough to be appreciated and enjoyed by the Intermediate and Experienced riders. He is easy to catch, load, shoe, and saddle, and has a very willing and forgiving attitude. He will not get fresh or frisky if turned out for long periods of time. He would be a great asset to any family, stable, or ranch.


New & Used Western Saddles and Tack Available


“Eagle” is a 12-year-old, 15h good looking Dun Ranch Gelding. This was the personal horse for the owner of a large cattle ranch and certainly knows what a long days work is. He is a nice strong horse with good legs and feet that would make even the most experi- enced of “Cowboys” feel like they were really mounted. “Eagle” is gentle enough and well broke enough that the Beginner and Novice rider can feel safe and really enjoy riding him, however this horse is fine tuned enough that the Intermediate and Experienced would en- joy and appreciate him.


www.keithranches.com


“Shorty” is a 13-year-old, 14.3h AQHA West Texas Ranch Gelding. This is a really quiet gen- tle horse with a prompt smooth way about him. He has a nice quick yet smooth response to his riding cues which makes his rein, stop and back up very easy and enjoyable. This is a good little horse that would be safe and gentle enough for Beginner and Novice riders yet well broke and responsive enough to be enjoyed by the Intermediate and Experienced riders in the pen or on the trails. He has a very good attitude and a very willing mind. He has absolutely no bad habits and would be a real asset to any family, stable or ranch.


“Hero” is a 10-year-old, 15.1h gorgeous sor- rel gelding with lots of chrome! This is one of the gentlest, best riding, best handling, good minded horse that I have ever owned. When I purchased this horse he had been turned out in the pasture for over 6 months, and the day I purchased him we put a saddle on him and rode him without and incident at all. He is absolutely Kid safe, Beginner safe, and well trained enough that even the best of Novice, Intermediate or Experienced riders would be thrilled to ride. Check out our website to see my 4-year-old grandaughter riding this horse.


Visit our website for more horses, pictures, prices and contact information. 2447 East Borgfeld • San Antonio, TX 78260 • (7 miles North of San Antonio on Hwy 281)


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