Jockeys

There will be more at stake for the talented gelding Game On Dude on Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park than merely the prestige of winning one of Southern California's classic thoroughbred races. When Game On Dude breaks from the gate under jockey Chantal Sutherland as the probable favorite in the Hollywood Gold Cup's field of seven, a victory will also bring an automatic second shot at the next big deal in horse racing this year. That would be the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

Less than 24 hours after the announcement that top jockey Joel Rosario was leaving the Southern California circuit to head to the East Coast, the scramble has begun to take over his business. "All the agents and jockeys said they'd pitch in and help him get to the airport," jockey agent Scott McClellan said. And he wasn't joking. Rosario has won 11 riding titles in Southern California, including the recent Santa Anita meeting. His agent, Ron Ebanks, announced on Sunday that Rosario would be leaving to ride in New York on June 27. His departure creates opportunities for a strong jockey colony in Southern California.

Joel Rosario, one of the top jockeys in Southern California thoroughbred horse racing since 2009, is moving to New York, his agent, Ron Ebanks, said Sunday. Rosario will begin riding in New York on June 27. Rosario and Rafael Bejarano have dominated the jockey standings at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. Ebanks said he and Rosario, 27, have been contemplating a move to the East Coast for a year. A broken collarbone suffered by jockey John Velazquez caused the decision to be expedited.

HORSE RACING URBAN LEGEND : A jockey was declared dead after falling from his horse but recovered and won five races the following day. A big part of the world of sports legends is the all-too clever newspaper headline. In the past, I've covered the story of the Dizzy Dean head injury that supposedly led to the headline "X-ray of Dean's head shows nothing" (click here for the real story). Today, we look at another classic headline, this time courtesy of the May 9, 1936 edition of the San Francisco Examiner.

Not to be lost in the amazing story of an amazing horse and jockey is the story of Ivan Puhich. He is 85 and no longer "terrible," although tales of his youth that include fists through car windows and other guys ending up in garbage dumpsters hint that the nickname once fit. Trainer Gary Stute says Puhich is an insufferable San Francisco 49ers fan, who once argued with a friend for five hours after a game about a missed block and didn't...

"The Cup," the true-life story of jockey Damien Oliver's miracle win atAustralia's2002 Melbourne Cup just a week after the death of his brother, is a tale of heart-wrenching tragedy and uplifting triumph that never quite hits its stride. This modestly rendered biopic directed by Simon Wincer, who co-wrote the script with Eric O'Keefe, gets too bogged down in the details to ever fully capture the pathos and pain that marked Damien's remarkable journey. It gives even shorter shrift to the comeback tale of the horse he rode, Media Puzzle, almost put down after a broken pelvis that should have been career ending.

Despite a second-place finish for Bodemeister, both his trainer and jockey were very happy with his effort. "He ran his race," said Bob Baffert, who runs his barn out of Southern California. "He was there and just got tired a little bit. He's only run four times, and I was really proud of him. He's a super impressive horse. "It's the only time I've run second where I've been happy because he ran his race. " Jockey Mike Smith agreed. "He didn't finish first, but he's still a winner," Smith said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Jockey Robby Albarado was arrested Friday morning and charged with assault in an apparent domestic violence case. He was immediately taken off his mounts for the day, including Hard Not to Like in the Kentucky Oaks, the fillies-only version of the Kentucky Derby. It hasn't been decided if he will ride on Derby day. He does not have a mount in the Kentucky Derby. According to a complaint filed by a woman who claimed to have lived with Albarado for the last year, she and Albarado wrestled over a telephone.

LOUISVILLE, Ky--Believe You Can, an overlooked 13-1, swept past front running Broadway's Alibi to win Friday's $1 million Kentucky Oaks, the 3-year-old filly equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Rosie Napravnik became the first woman to ever win this race. Believe You Can paid $29.60, 11.80 and 6.40. Race favorite Grace Hall finished third. "It's unbelievable," said Napravnik. "It's a dream come true. The filly was all talent and all heart. " Broadway's Alibi broke cleanly and sharply to the front and appeared very game holding the lead until about 1/16th of a mile remained when Believe You Can moved in front to win by 3/4 length.

The Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting began Thursday with a dramatic finish in the featured $72,350 Harry Henson Stakes for 3-year-olds going six furlongs. American Act, under jockey Rafael Bejarano, rallied from last in a field of six and, after badly drifting to the outside entering the stretch, came on to win by a nose over Senor Rain in a race switched to the cushion track from the turf because of rain. "He never showed signs of doing anything like that before," trainer Jack Carava said.