The Sport

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Fraser Aebly, Woodbine, Lulu’s Lullaby, Michael Burns

Inspiring Ride for Canadian Apprentice Jockey Fraser Aebly

Story courtesy of Woodbine Communications/Chris Lomon

Motivation and inspiration are always close at hand for Fraser Aebly.

When he slipped on the sky-blue silks featuring an ornate white butterfly on the front, along with white and black hoops, the 19-year-old apprentice rider was, as always, focused on giving his horse the best shot at winning the race.

Hall of Fame Jockey Bill Shoemaker: A Racehorse's Best Friend

Did a racehorse have a better friend?

At 4 feet, 11 inches tall and 98 pounds, it didn’t look like Bill Shoemaker could muscle a few sacks of groceries, let alone control a head-strong Thoroughbred a dozen times his weight.

Still, Shoemaker personified that mysterious bond between horse and rider. He communicated with an innate light touch on the reins, coaxing the horse into the action, gentling it with his hands.

Richard Mandella: A Lifelong Horseman Who Crafted a Hall of Fame Career

As Richard Mandella reflected in 2017 on his magnificent training career, he said that he drew greater motivation from fear of failure than aspirations of greatness.

“I never had any great dreams about what it actually became. Hall of Fame and all of that, it never entered my mind,” he said. “I just wanted to be some kind of success.”

2023 Los Alamitos Futurity, Bob Baffert, Wynstock, Stronghold

Baffert Longshot Wynstock Wins Los Alamitos Futurity

Trainer Bob Baffert dominates the Grade 2 $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity, a race he has now won 14 times thanks to his victory with Wynstock Dec. 16 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Remington Park Springboard Mile, Glengarry, Otto the Conqueror, Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen

Otto the Conqueror Edges Glengarry to Win Remington Springboard Mile

In a two-horse throwdown, Otto the Conqueror outdueled the previously unbeaten Glengarry and inched away to post a three-quarters of a length victory in the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes on Dec. 15.

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