Joe Talamo All Smiles After Big Saturday
Jockey Joe Talamo © Benoit Photo
Saturday was a pretty good day to be Joe Talamo.
Not only did the 23-year-old native of Louisiana sweep both stakes races at Betfair Hollywood Park, taking the $100,500 Fran’s Valentine with 9-2 shot Unusual Hottie and the $150,000, Grade II Marjorie L. Everett Handicap with 9-1 outsider Open Water, he got to see his mentor – Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens – go gate-to-wire aboard Oxbow, the upset ($32.80) winner of the Preakness.
“I thought it was great,” said Talamo. “I was so happy for Gary. Even as a little kid I always looked up to him. I remember I was 11 when he won (the 2001 Preakness) with Point Given.
Hollywood Insider Returns May 25
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 19, 2013)—One of the on-air personalities from Television Games Network (TVG) will play host for the Hollywood Insider Saturday, May 25.
Handicapping tips, insights and other last minute information will be offered on the afternoon’s races, including the Grade II, $150,000 American Handicap for older horses at one mile on turf.
Hollywood Insider will begin at 12 Noon at the Paddock Tote Board.
Delgadillo Next Escogiendo Ganadores Guest
Agapito Delgadillo. © Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 19, 2013)—Veteran jockey Agapito Delgadillo will be the guest of co-hosts Michael Burns and George Ortuzar at the next Escogiendo Ganadores (Picking Winners) session Saturday, May 25.
During the Spanish-language seminar, Delgadillo, Burns and Ortuzar will discuss the Betfair Hollywood Park card, including the $150,000 American Handicap, a Grade II for older horses at one mile on turf.
Escogiendo Ganadores will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Paddock Tote Board.
Open Water Stuns Lady Of Fifty In Everett
Unusual Hottie and jockey Joseph Talamo, right, overpower Sugarinthemorning (Tyler Baze), left, to win the Fran's Valentine Stakes. © Benoit Photo
Open Water and jockey Joseph Talamo, right, outleg Lady Of Fifty (Rafael Bejarano), left, to win the Marjorie L. Everett Handicap. © Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 18, 2013)—Taking advantage of a quick early pace, Open Water earned her first victory outside Kentucky, upsetting favored Lady of Fifty in the $150,250 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The victory by the 9-1 shot gave jockey Joe Talamo a sweep of the afternoon’s stakes. More than three hours earlier, Talamo teamed with Unusual Hottie to capture the $100,500 Fran’s Valentine.
Trained by Eric Guillot for a partnership that includes Southern Equine Stable LLC, Mike Smith and Whispering Oaks Farm LLC, Open Water sat well off a spirited duel between Maker Or Breaker and Sister Kate, rallied in tandem with Lady of Fifty while outside the 7-10 choice and ultimately prevailed by one length.
$150,250 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap - Grade II - 62nd Running - 1 1/16 Miles
Jockey Quotes
JOE TALAMO, OPEN WATER, Winner: “Her last two works were very impressive. She galloped out real strong. It really worked out great. You could tell they were rolling up front. On this track you just can’t go that fast early. She was in between horses at about the 4 1-2 (furlong pole) and (Lady of Fifty) was kind of pressing me a little, so I took back and went outside of her. At that time, she took a couple of breathers and I think that really helped down the lane. She was really game.”
RAFAEL BEJARANO, LADY OF FIFTY, Second: “She was in a good position, but I didn’t have enough horse.”
$100,500 Fran’s Valentine Stakes - 18th Running - 1 Mile (Turf)
Jockey Quotes
JOE TALAMO, UNUSUAL HOTTIE, Winner: “Man, she sure is sweet to ride. Everything went perfect. I saved all the ground, swung out and she just took off. I could see the horse outside me starting to get out on the turn, so it was easy to get through.”
RAFAEL BEJARANO, TOP KISSER, Third: “I was comfortable all the way and trying to save my horse. She was in good position, but in the stretch she started making a (breathing) noise. I think that cost her the race.”
Batti Man ($27.20) Wins Thriller Over `Sermon
Batti Man and Brice Blanc were best in the Friday feature. © Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 17, 2013)—Unplaced in two previous starts over Cushion Track, Batti Man, a 12-1 shot, gamely held off favored Rousing Sermon by a nose to win the $61,170 feature Friday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
After battling up front with eventual third place finisher Congenial, who was only a head behind the runner-up, Batti Man was able to prevail over the 11-10 choice, who rallied between horses in the stretch after saving ground throughout under Rafael Bejarano.
Trained by Dan Hendricks for Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables, Batti Man completed the 1 1/16 miles under jockey Brice Blanc in 1:43.65. He paid $27.20, $9.40 and $5.80.
Lady Of Shamrock Heads Gamely Nominees
Lady of Shamrock and jockey Mike Smith win the Grade I American Oaks. © Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 17, 2013)—Lady of Shamrock, who won the 2012 American Oaks with a rail-skimming rally, is among 15 nominees to the $250,000 Gamely Stakes.
The first Grade I of the 2013 Spring/Summer meet at Betfair Hollywood Park, the Gamely, which is for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf, will be run for the 47th time Monday, May 27.
Owned by Hronis Racing LLC and trained by John Sadler, Lady of Shamrock has won seven of 13 and earned $825,400. The 4-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy and the Blushing John mare Blushing Issue is seeking her second win of the year. Lady of Shamrock was runner-up in her seasonal debut in the Grade II Santa Ana Stakes March 24, then won the Grade II Santa Barbara Handicap – via disqualification – April 20.
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