George Taniguchi, who won more than 1,500 races in the 1950s and 1960s and later worked as a racing official at California tracks, died earlier this month after a brief illness, according to his niece, Donna Johnson.
Taniguchi was 94 and was at his home in Palm Springs, Calif., at the time of his death.
Taniguchi rode from 1954 to 1968 and was a jockeys’ room contemporary of such notable riders as Eddie Arcaro, John Longden, Ralph Neves, Bill Shoemaker, and Jack Westrope, to name a few.
The 86th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Longacres Mile is the highlight of the 2021 live meet at Emerald Downs. The Longacres Mile is scheduled for Aug. 15.
A handicap race for 3-year-olds and up, the Mile is supported by the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for fillies and mares. The Mile is one of just two open stakes for 3-year-olds and up during the meet, with the 6 ½-furlong $50,000 Mt. Rainier preceding it on July 11.
Grade 1 winner Hard Not to Love was retired this week after disappointing results in two graded stakes at Santa Anita this year.
Trainer John Shirreffs said Hard Not to Love was flown to Kentucky on Friday.
The decision was made in recent days after Hard Not to Love worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 on Tuesday at Santa Anita, a slower-than-expected clocking.
“She seemed like she wasn’t quite as good as she was before,” Shirreffs said. “She’d been in training a long time without a break. It seemed like it was time to stop.”
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes for New York-breds failed to fill for Sunday, so a second-level allowance for statebreds tops the eight-race program.
Eloquent Speaker comes off a perfect setup to win a first-level allowance on Feb. 20, and looks to get a similar setup again on Sunday.
:: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Limonite, a hard-charging second to Mr. Buff in the Stymie Stakes on Feb. 27., is being pointed to the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior Stakes on April 3 when he most likely will meet Mr. Buff again.
:: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Personally and professionally, this has been a good winter for jockey Trevor McCarthy.
Personally, McCarthy got married to fellow jockey Katie Davis last December. Professionally, McCarthy has enjoyed a solid winter meet at Aqueduct, winning 33 races from 226 mounts including the meet’s richest race, the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes. He ranks fifth in wins and in purse money won ($1,848,658).
“Really, this last month, things have gone super well,” said McCarthy, 26. “I’m just delighted.”
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Mac Robertson has had some significant Rebel Days at Oaklawn. His latest came March 13, when he saddled Carlos L. to a 47-1 upset in the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes. Robertson won the main event in 2009, when Win Willy captured the Rebel at 56-1.
“It’s been a good day for me a couple of times,” Robertson said. “Anytime you win a race it’s [great]. When they win big, it’s got a little more oomph.”
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Jinks Fires will be making a notable circuit change after the Oaklawn Park meet ends in May.
Fires said Thursday that he plans to remain in Arkansas and will base at a Hot Springs training center rather than set up his usual division at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. He’s been a Churchill regular every year since 1961.
Santa Anita will begin hosting a limited audience on April 2.
The track announced Thursday that customers will be allowed to attend that day, but must make advance reservations. Walk-up or general admission tickets will not be sold, per California government guidelines for reopening outdoor sporting venues.
