Raising Money and Winning Races
The great poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” Jockey Robby Albarado (pictured) fits that saying and then some. Looking back on a career spanning 19 years, Albarado has accomplished things that some jockeys just dream about. Whether it’s riding two-time horse of the year Curlin or winning the 2004 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, the veteran jockey has left a lasting stamp on the sport of kings.
In 2008 Albarado started his own foundation benefiting the homeless in Louisville, Ky., and said that the organization has only “big things in store” for 2009.
“I’m proud of the foundation and everything it has accomplished. We raised a good amount of money where we could help some people out,” Albarado said by phone. “We hope to have a strong 2009 and have a lot of things in store.”
On Sunday the former Oaklawn riding champion will be coming in to ride the Azeri Handicap on Smart Surprise for trainer Josie Carroll.
“I’m thrilled to be coming to Oaklawn Sunday. Smart Surprise really ran a great race last out, and if she runs like she did in her last then she will do well,” mentioned Albarado. “I’m excited for her. Josie has done a great job with her. It will be a true test for her with the likes of Bear Now and Acoma. They are nice fillies in their own right.”
Albarado will be riding at Santa Anita on Saturday. “I will be flying in on the red-eye on Sunday morning,” commented Albarado. Albarado looks to take back to back runnings of the Azeri as he won lasts year’s edition aboard Hysterical Lady.
Azeri Handicap Looks Tough
The $150,000 Azeri took shape today as entries were taken for the Sunday feature. A field of eight will line up at the starting gate and bid for their shot at the $500,000 Apple Blossom Saturday, April 6th.
The field will feature a talented group of older fillies and mares for the mile and one-sixteenth. The event brings forth a pair of Grade II winners in Acoma and Bear Now, and will feature Oaklawn regulars in Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage’s French Kiss and D. Wayne Lukas’s Color Me Up.
The probable favorite, Acoma, will be making her first start of 2009. David Carroll has made no secrets that the Azeri will be used as a prep for the Apple Blossom. Regular rider Julien Leparoux will be in from Florida to ride Acoma. The daughter of Empire Maker has never finished worse than fourth in her career.
Trainer Al Stall sends in Bear Now for her second start of the year. The Tiznow mare will come into the Azeri off a second place finish in the Truly Bound Handicap in her last start. Bear Now will be the only millionaire in the field as her career earnings stand at $1,090,391. Jamie Theriot will be in from New Orleans to ride.
French Kiss (pictured) will enter the Azeri off the biggest win of her career in the Pippin. Hartlage has a family history with the daughter of Hussonet, as he trained Ornate, the dam of French Kiss, and High Heels, a half-sister to French Kiss. French Kiss will try to stretch out her win streak to three with a victory in the Azeri.
The rest of the field, trainer with jockey: Devil House, Lynn Whiting, Calvin Borel; Smart Surprise, Josie Carroll, Robby Albarado; Color Me Up, D. Wayne Lukas, Israel Ocampo; Initforthekandy, Jeff Talley, Jon Court; Maren’s Meadow, Larry Jones, Terry Thompson.
Post time for the special Sunday stake will be 5:02 p.m. central standard time and will be the ninth race on the card.
A Little Bit More
Trainer Larry Jones (pictured) said that Proud Spell will wait for the Apple Blossom on April 6th to make her 2009 debut. “She worked well enough the other morning that we will just train up to the big race. She has been doing so well and she’ll be fine training up to the race,” said Jones late Friday afternoon.
Jockeys Calvin Borel, Chris Emigh, and Terry Thompson will be autographing pictures from 11 a.m. until noon in the grandstand on Saturday. Fans will be charged $1 for each autograph with the proceeds benefitting the Arkansas Council of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.
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