High Five / Low Five
High Five!
High Fives to Abel Cedillo and Umberto Rispoli. Abel tore them up Sunday at the great race place Santa Anita with a 4 bagger. Umberto Rispoli is still looking for that first winner but has had some nice seconds and good rides, and in stakes too. he can ride and is a welcome addition to the US and the Southern California jockey colony.
High Five!
High Five to Mike Smith who added another record to his stellar Hall of Fame career aboard Hard Not to Love in the La Brea. Mike is tied for all time Grade 1 wins and still counting.
Low Five!
Low Five Irad Ortiz for his assist to Jose Ortiz in the H. Allen Jerkens. Jose was on the lead with heavily favored American Tattoo. Paco Lopez was looming behind with Shazier. Irad was out of gas on Carom. Irad pinned in Paco just enough to let Jose slip away and get home. We get “assists” and “teamwork” but that was just a wee bit too obvious for us. Stewards would be negligent not to talk with Irad about that.
High Five!
High Five everyone, we are back to racing today!
Low Five!
Low Five to the rain and the drainage system surrounding Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. They are under water.
High Five!
The happiest, healthiest and safest of holidays to all!. Merry Christmas Everyone from all of us at Past the Wire!
High Five!
Hey, we can’t knock a horse for trying. High Five Free to Fly, when he and Rajiv Maragh couldn’t go by Enlisting and Nik Juarez in the last at Gulfstream on Sunday, Free to Fly tried to savage (take a bite out of) Enlisting. No harm no foul, even though Rajiv made a claim for some unknown reason as his horse was the one trying to do the damage.
Low Five!
Low Five to Gulfstream Park for taking the last race off the turf Sunday after the Rainbow 6 began. Conditions did not change much but the change in surface kicked in one of the worst rules for the bettor in racing, the race becomes an “all.” Who knows what it cost some player or players who had the actual winner.
High Five!
High Five to Brian Hernandez Jr. quietly a really good rider. 2004 Eclipse Award winner for outstanding apprentice and a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner as well. Nice milestone jock!