Bill Hartack is no more. Hartack, 74, was found dead in a cabin at a camp near Freer (a town) in Texas. Jockey Hartack used to go to Freer every winter to hunt. A coroner will determine the cause of death but Mike Stidham, a trainer and an associate, made a statement saying that 'heart attack' was the most probable reason.
Bill Hartack served as steward in the recently concluded meeting at Louisiana Downs. He had launched a career in officiating after retiring as a jockey. He would have been 75 on December 9.
There are only two jockeys who have won the Kentucky Derby five times. Bill Hartack was one of them and shared that distinction with the incomparable Eddie Arcaro. Hartack's first Derby winner was Liege in 1957. In 1960, he was victorious aboard Venetian Way. Decidedly gave Hartack his third win in 1962. In 1964, Hartack steered the legendary Northern Dancer. Majestic Prince gave Hartack his fifth Derby win in 1969.
Bill Hartack won the Preakness three times. He won the Belmont Stakes once. He rode 4,272 winners. When he was 27, in 1959, he became a member of Racing's Hall of Fame. He was the leading jockey in America four times.
He did a stint in broadcasting. He provided expert analysis for many Triple Crown races. I remember when he went to see Northern Dancer for a broadcast segment and found his Derby partner in a playful mood. Hartack remarked, "He (Northern Dancer) hasn't forgotten anything. He remembers what I put him through. Now he wants to get even." One of the greatest jockeys America has seen and one of the greatest horses this world has seen were together. It is a sight that is etched in my mind.
The Grade I $500,000 Hollywood Derby was run on Sunday at Hollywood Park. Daytona made it all. Mike Smith rated the race brilliantly. His rivals seemed to close in as Daytona turned for home but in a stride or two, the issue was put to rest. Ten ran. The winning margin was one half length. The time was 1 59.75 for 2000 metres. It was a race for three year-olds. Daytona returned $13.20.
Trainer Dan Hendricks expressed happiness at how genuine Daytona is. "He did not let them get a jump on him. He is a nice, honest horse that gets a route." Route is a distance event.
Nobiz Like Shobiz was the even money favourite. He was third for a major part of the journey and faded to finish eighth. "I did not have a horse at the half-mile pole," said jockey Javier Castellano.
Medici Code, the Del Mar Derby winner, ran on without hope but was second best.
Precious Kitten had all kinds of trouble in the Breeders' Cup Filly-Mare Turf at Monmouth Park. She redeemed herself in the Grade I $500,000 Matriarch at Hollywood Park on Sunday. She won by a length and a quarter from Wait A While, the public choice. The 1,600-metre trip was covered in 1 33.63. Precious Kitten paid $7.80.
It was the fourth consecutive win in the Matriarch for trainer Bobby Frankel. It was the eighth Matriarch win in 11 years for Frankel.
Precious Kitten jumped out well and let Live Life take over. Jockey Rafael Bejarano, on Precious Kitten, surged to the top with 400 metres to go. Wait A While took up the chase and a futile chase it was.
Jockey Bejarano said, "I knew Live Life will have the lead. I did not want the leader to get away with a slow pace, I stayed close and put pressure. My filly was great today. I hit the front easily and I had a lot of horse when Wait A While came."
There will be a change in the Japan Cup schedule beginning next year. Because of two Japan Cups coming up on two successive days, the Japan Racing Association has decided to treat the 'grass' and 'dirt' editions as two separate entities.
The Dirt race will be held at Hanshin Racecourse in Takarazuka. It will be run a week later. Hanshin has a right-handed course. Horses run clockwise. Tokyo racecourse is left-handed. Horses go anti-clock wise.
