Mike Venezia

The New York Racing Assn. announced that racing at Belmont Park has been canceled Monday in honor of Mike Venezia, the 43-year-old jockey killed in a spill at the track Thursday.

Mike Venezia would have turned 44 during Kentucky Derby week, but he would never have looked that old if he had lived twice as long. The face that is so vividly missing from Liz's Kitchen on the Belmont backstretch these mornings in New York was as shiny-bright last Oct. 13, when he fell and was fatally injured on the race track, as it was at Aqueduct on Dec. 7, 1964. That was the day a wise-guy reporter saw that the nation's leading apprentice jockey had arrived.

"A Cup of Courage--The Jockeys' Story," a 48-minute videocassette produced by Jericho Pictures of Pasadena, is a documentary dedicated to jockey Mike Venezia. Some of the proceeds from sale of the documentary will go to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockeys' Fund, which was established to help injured riders. MacBeth was a leading rider who died of cancer. In the documentary, Laffit Pincay, Angel Cordero, Chris McCarron and others talk about the dangers of riding horses.

"A Cup of Courage--The Jockeys' Story," a 48-minute videocassette produced by Jericho Pictures of Pasadena, is a documentary dedicated to jockey Mike Venezia. Some of the proceeds from sale of the documentary will go to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockeys' Fund, which was established to help injured riders. MacBeth was a leading rider who died of cancer. In the documentary, Laffit Pincay, Angel Cordero, Chris McCarron and others talk about the dangers of riding horses.

Two stories about Mike Venezia, the 43-year-old jockey who was killed in a spill Thursday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.: --In 1978, Venezia was one of several prominent New York jockeys under investigation for race fixing. Venezia, for failing to report a bribe, was later suspended for 3 months. While the investigation was going on, I accidentally met Venezia's accountant in the men's room of an office building in Lake Success, N.Y. I didn't know the accountant, but he knew me.

Mike Venezia would have turned 44 during Kentucky Derby week, but he would never have looked that old if he had lived twice as long. The face that is so vividly missing from Liz's Kitchen on the Belmont backstretch these mornings in New York was as shiny-bright last Oct. 13, when he fell and was fatally injured on the race track, as it was at Aqueduct on Dec. 7, 1964. That was the day a wise-guy reporter saw that the nation's leading apprentice jockey had arrived.

For more than seven months last year, jockey Robbie Davis was having, by his own admission, the best year of his life. In August, Davis' wife, Marguerite, had delivered Robert Glen Davis Jr., their third child and first son. By October, Davis' horses had won 231 races and earned $7.1 million. Davis ranked sixth in the nation in purses. He was riding Mercedes Won, one of the country's best 2-year-olds, and Pay the Butler, a prominent grass horse. But on the afternoon of Oct.

Two stories about Mike Venezia, the 43-year-old jockey who was killed in a spill Thursday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.: --In 1978, Venezia was one of several prominent New York jockeys under investigation for race fixing. Venezia, for failing to report a bribe, was later suspended for 3 months. While the investigation was conducted, I accidentally met Venezia's accountant. I didn't know the accountant, but he knew me. "I've got an ax to grind, because I work for Mike," the accountant said.

Mr. G.J.G., ridden by Mike Venezia, scored a front-running upset victory Sunday in the $73,500 Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old son of Breezing On-Chili Spice, carrying 114 pounds, held gamely in the drive to reach the wire a half-length ahead of Hot Cop, carrying 116 pounds and ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn. Hot Cop was coupled in the wagering with Judge Costa as the favored entry.

For more than seven months last year, jockey Robbie Davis was having, by his own admission, the best year of his life. In August, Davis' wife, Marguerite, had delivered Robert Glen Davis Jr., their third child and first son. By October, Davis' horses had won 231 races and earned $7.1 million. Davis ranked sixth in the nation in purses. He was riding Mercedes Won, one of the country's best 2-year-olds, and Pay the Butler, a prominent grass horse. But on the afternoon of Oct.

The New York Racing Assn. announced that racing at Belmont Park has been canceled Monday in honor of Mike Venezia, the 43-year-old jockey killed in a spill at the track Thursday.

Two stories about Mike Venezia, the 43-year-old jockey who was killed in a spill Thursday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.: --In 1978, Venezia was one of several prominent New York jockeys under investigation for race fixing. Venezia, for failing to report a bribe, was later suspended for 3 months. While the investigation was conducted, I accidentally met Venezia's accountant. I didn't know the accountant, but he knew me. "I've got an ax to grind, because I work for Mike," the accountant said.

Two stories about Mike Venezia, the 43-year-old jockey who was killed in a spill Thursday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.: --In 1978, Venezia was one of several prominent New York jockeys under investigation for race fixing. Venezia, for failing to report a bribe, was later suspended for 3 months. While the investigation was going on, I accidentally met Venezia's accountant in the men's room of an office building in Lake Success, N.Y. I didn't know the accountant, but he knew me.

Books recommended for young readers by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian, Children's Literature Department, Los Angeles Public Library. Los Angeles is home to exciting museums and galleries. Help your child enjoy the exhibits with these materials extolling art and talent. Babies and toddlers: "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Three white mice learn the fundamentals of color when they jump into jars of red, blue and yellow paint. * Preschoolers to first grade: "Frederick" by Leo Lionni.

Dean Kutz, a jockey who won 2,835 races despite deformed hands and a missing kidney, died Sunday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington, Ky. He was 48. No cause was given for Kutz's death. He last rode in 2002, when 35 wins helped boost his career purse total to $33 million. He trained horses in North Dakota the past two years. Born in Harvey, N.D.