all in Breeders' Cup

Churchill Downs features a great day of racing this Saturday, highlighted by the $500,000 Stephen Foster Stakes, a race that has attracted some of the best older horses in training including Tom’s d’Etat and By My Standards.

When Gamine was entered into a maiden special weight at Santa Anita Park in March, people paid attention. The 3-year-old Into Mischief filly trained by Bob Baffert was purchased by Michael Lund Peterson for $1.8 million dollars and one could argue she has been a star from the start.

The Runhappy Travers Stakes will be truly living up to its nickname of “The Midsummer Derby” this year.

As part of a revamped Saratoga Race Course schedule, the 1 1/4-mile Travers has been moved up three weeks to an Aug. 8 date with a $1 million purse as the centerpiece of a 71-stakes schedule worth $14.45 million for the 40-day meet July 16-Sept. 7.

The Belmont Stakes isn’t the only major horse race taking place on Saturday at Belmont Park. Five other prestigious stakes races are on the agenda, including the $250,000, Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes Presented by America’s Best Racing, which serves as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

Jose Santos began riding at the tender age of 14. After competing in his native Chile and then Colombia, he came to the United States with high hopes in 1984. Eight months after his arrival, he was in despair.

Business at the Florida tracks was bad; his spirits were worse.

“I was not doing anything,” he said. “I had tough times.”

His ability, though, had not gone completely unnoticed. P.J. Simms, a trainer in search of a rider he could depend on, spotted his potential.

“You help me,” he told Santos, “and I will help you.”

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Request Information

Please fill out the form below to request information about race horse ownership.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube