With just over a week until the live meet begins May 16, things are starting to take shape in the stable area. A 1600-stall full house is expected again this season meaning there should be plenty of mounts to go around. Currently there are 760 horses on site with more arriving daily.
There will not be a shortage of jockeys if the growing list on the racing office counter is any indication.
Four-time top jock Dean Butler is here as is Lori Keith. Both will be represented again by agent Pete Antonucci.
Agent Richard Grunder will handle business for Seth Martinez, leading rider in ’02 and ’05, and newcomer to these parts Quincy Hamilton. The journeyman rider Hamilton has won 1,385 career races and in 2005 was the ninth winningest rider in the US when he won 278 races.
Shakopee’s own Alex Canchari is onsite, working horses. His agent Chuck Costanzo will also represent Eddie Martin, Jr. who finished fifth in the standings last year at Canterbury.
Ry Eikleberry arrived in Minnesota yesterday and was seen at the track this morning. Ry won his second consecutive Sunland Park riding title with 97 wins.
Other regulars include Juan Rivera, Justin Shepherd, Nik Goodwin, Carlos Castro, Israel Hernandez, Wilson Dieguez, Martin Escobar and Scott Stevens. There may even be a chance that Hall of Famer Derek Bell returns.
New names from Turf Paradise : Erick Lopez, Janine Smith, Jorge Carreno.
