July 14 News and Notes
Alex Canchari was very efficient on Thursday while riding just three of the eight thoroughbred races and winning with all three mounts. Canchari took advantage of the break that followed the long July 4 race week and traveled to Los Angeles for some R and R. The broken right hand appears to have healed quickly […]
Catching Up with Valorie Lund
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_J7aM3qHI0&w=560&h=315]
Mystic Lake Derby Day Nears
Go ahead and pick up the champagne, dig out the attire you wore last year for the race, careful to assure everything is the same, not a single accoutrement out-of-place, cross your fingers and don’t say anything that might be construed as a jinx. “My dad’s superstitious,” said Lori Keith. “It will have to be […]
Cold Weather in July
The temperature dropped as much as 25 degrees in the last couple of days, a welcome change to horses, particularly those that engage in morning workouts and race for a living. They appreciate the crisp, morning air and will exhibit their enthusiasm on the way to the track, prancing on their toes, pulling on the […]
Vergara (Finally) Arrives in Shakopee
An owner once refused to let Daniel Vergara ride his horse because he found the jockey’s handshake unimpressive. A bit too lifeless. Then again, horses seem to like Vergara’s hands because they are gentle, imbued with finesse. Vergara, a native of Mexico City, has been in the United States for the past two decades, riding in […]
Beating the Heat
Shortly before the fourth race on Friday, someone draped a wet blanket over Shakopee. The 85 degree temperature had been tolerable earlier with humidity levels close to 30. All of that changed as humidity levels climbed 15 points and the air suddenly stopped moving. How do you stay cool on a night like this someone asked […]