Reflections Along The Derby Trail

photos and story
by Scott Serio

     What everyone sees moments later online or the next day in the newspaper is the image of an exalted jockey aboard a horse that just won a major race.  These aren’t the best moments of thoroughbred horse racing, only the most publicized.  Go to any track along the Triple Crown trail and you will find many ready-made photo ops, but you will also find unrehearsed pure moments.

     It is in these moments, where simple connections take place that horse racing can find what will save it and what will propel it forward. Whether it is a connection between a horse and a human, a connection between a person and a place or maybe a connection between a person and the history in which they are immersing themselves, the link is there.

     I think back to walking “The Back Yard” at Belmont Park shortly before Big Brown made his attempt at history. By the playground I spotted a middle-aged father holding his daughter by the arms and spinning her in a circle.  They could have been sharing this moment anywhere, so why here and why now?  I made some pictures and then introduced myself. I asked the father and he replied, “I just wanted my daughter to see a Triple Crown winner, so we came today.” He had lived next to the track his whole life, but this was his first trip.

     Then I think back to the early afternoon just five weeks ago, just before the Kentucky Derby, when I ventured to the backstretch to see if I could stumble into a nice photo. There wasn’t a horse to be found grazing, but Churchill was open for live racing.

     In contrast to the mayhem the envelopes the backstretch during Derby week because of the photographers, writers, TV crews and fans that descend shortly after sunrise, the scene before the third race was quite calm. I watched the horses start from the chute for a six-furlong sprint and was about to leave when I spotted a very nice moment.  It was quite Elliot Erwitt-esque.  The reflection of a father and son watching the races filled the side-view mirror of the family’s Dodge Charger.

     This was a racetrack family for sure. I knew that before talking to them. The father’s burly arm was hanging out of the window reminding me of the bumper sticker “It is not the size of the truck, it is the size of the arm hanging out of the window.” I would learn that Joshua Dossey is a racetrack employee, but this day was his day off. His 19-month-old son Preston had already formed a bond with the track, and his father, having seen the races almost a dozen times.  After watching a few races, the Dossey family drove off to enjoy the rest of the day.

     This is the little stuff that makes racing great. Horse racing is made up of those little serendipitous moments where whether you are a fan or an owner you still enjoy the moment.

      It could be eating your bacon, egg and cheese at Wagner’s Pharmacy across from Churchill Downs and seeing Jeff Bonde and Phil Lebherz doing the same thing – they are the connections for Sway Away who didn’t make it into the starting gate Derby Day. Then you notice the next table over is the whole Zayat family partaking in the same breakfast you are.

     Or, you could be drinking a tall, very tall, glass of Foster’s lager and eating your Outback Special when you spy someone at the next table.  The light goes on, maybe you think, but then you think again, it is all too incongruous. Then you realize your intuition was right. Who is dining at Outback but Charlotte Weber.

     Not only is Ms. Weber the owner of Live Oak Stud and Brilliant Speed, but she also happens to be one of the Campbells Soup heirs. She is worth $1.2 billion and she is there eating the same meal as you are.

     Then there are the moments surrounding a race that get hidden by images of winning owners foisting trophies into the air.  This year, it was the image of Jane Motion rushing to hug Lerina Velazquez as they ran across the track to the winner’s circle. Then the image of John Velazquez’s valet Tony Millan simultaneously lifting Michael Velazquez and his right fist into the air in celebration of the victory. In the middle of the mayhem, these quiet moments go unnoticed by many.

     Horse racing isn't just about win, place or show. It is about the people, the place and the event.  Why else do you think 90,000 people show up to Oaks Day? Do you think they are all betting hundreds of dollars? Many are there because they have formed just such a bond with Oaks Day, or Churchill Downs, or a horse in the Oaks field and maybe they just want to be a part of something they feel is special.

     Below is a photographic reflection on the Triple Crown Trail for 2011 and the little moments. You may have seen some of them in this forum in other posts. Either way, enjoy…

(Side Note: The moment that was my personal favorite from the entire Derby trail for 2011 did not lend itself to photography, only personal enjoyment.  While setting up cameras at 8:30 in the morning, most photographers are un-swayed in their determination to get everything just right and be done with it.  Some singer practicing the National Anthem usually doesn’t rate their attention.  Usually the singer stops, starts over, picks it up from the middle, just working to get it right.  Jordin Sparks managed something I have never seen before as a photographer. Not only did all the photographers stop and turn to listen, but after she absolutely slayed the song the first time she sang it, they applauded. I joined them. It was just that good. Maybe it was events with Osama bin Laden that sparked a little extra patriotism, but I connected with that situation. Not sure who else will take that moment with them, but I will.)

Who's In Your Stable? The Top 10 in the RTTR Contest

     It is doubtful they had any inside information, but the folks who are currently in the Top 10 of Stride LIVE’s “Road To The Roses Derby Contest” have certainly distinguished themselves throughout this Kentucky Derby prep season.

      Out of the 20, 730 entries in the RTTR contest, the leader for our league sits at #328 overall.  Keith Cooper’s 221 points are not far from the top either.  The contest leader has 280 points.  There are also four entries that have exactly ZERO points. Not sure how you pulled that off.

      Gary Schneekloth has two entries in the Top 10 and sits in 2^nd and 4^th in the Stride LIVE league. You want a sleeper stable though, look at Sue Kawcyznski’s stable. Sue K. has Archarcharch, Dialed In, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro, The Factor, Toby’s Corner and Uncle Mo. She is tied for 17^th place at 150 points, but is stacked with horses who seem to be running their best.

      For those with a chance to win, interestingly, many have Dialed In and Mucho Macho Man, but only the aforementioned Sue K. has Archarcharch. Hmm. Either way, good luck to everyone. Here is the full Top 10.

League Rank	Score	Stable Name	Player	Hometown
1	221	Zain-in-my-heart Stable	Keith Cooper	cassatt
2	212	Bourbon Bliss Barn	Gary Schneekloth	Alexandria
3	211	CMCC	Barry Mitchell	Inglewood
4	193	Kelso's Kennel	Gary Schneekloth	Alexandria
5	182	Rose Oaks Stable	Valerie Klein	Portland
6	179	SmartyAl's Stable	Alfred Hilbert	Eastampton
7	178	Thornridge Racing III	Deborah Slagle	Morrisville
8	164	Niteowl Racing	Ashley Bolsei	LeRoy
9	163	Pajarito	Linda Daly	los alamos
10	160	ChiTown to Derby #2	Thomas Haydock	Mundelein

Afleet Alex Babies Take Same Route To Kentucky As Sire

Archarcharch winning the Southwest Stakes (Jimmy Jones/Eclipse Sportswire)

The Rebel Is This Week's Only Points Race In The Road To The Roses Contest 

     Elite Alex and Sway Away are looking to take the same route to the Kentucky Derby as their sire in this Saturday's Rebel Stakes.  Afleet Alex didn't win the Rebel or the Derby, but he did win the Arkansas Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in his three-year-old campaign.  They aim to one better than dad.     

     Sway Away looks to stretch out the sprinter's speed he showed last out in the San Vicente, when he closed from last-to-first only to be beaten 3/4-length by The Factor.  The third-place finisher in the San Vicente - Premier Pegasus. The Factor also looks to make the 7-furlong stretch out Saturday in the Rebel.

Elite Alex before the Southwest (Jimmy Jones/ESW)

     Elite Alex’s goal is to turn the tables on Southwest Stakes winner Archarcharch.  Elite Alex broke from the 9-post in the one mile race, got parked wide, ended up fanned 6-wide and still managed to close on Archarcharch to finish third a couple of lengths back.

     Also of note in the race are JP’s Gusto, Alternation and Caleb’s Posse.  This is a stacked field of Derby contenders.  The Stride LIVE entry in the Road to the Roses managed to work its way up to 4^th place and we have Elite Alex and Sway Away going.  We are hoping Oaklawn is one of those tracks where if daddy did well, so do his babies.

The Factor winning the San Vicente (Charles Pravata/Eclipse Sportswire)

     The rest of the Top 10 in Stride LIVE’s Road to the Roses Fantasy League are below. Keith Cooper and Gark Schneekloth still have a stranglehold on the top spots, Hello Race Fans’ and Green But Game’s Dana Byerly made a very nice move to get closer to the leaders.

     If you want to handicap the race yourself, here is the link to free past performances provided by Oaklawn Park - http://oaklawn.com/media/uploads/the_rebel_pps.pdf

GOOD LUCK!!! 

 

League Rank    Score    Stable Name    Player    Hometown
1                       90    Zain-in-my-heart Stable    Keith Cooper    cassatt
2                       87    Bourbon Bliss Barn    Gary Schneekloth    Alexandria
3                       79    Zain-In-My-Heart-2    Keith Cooper    cassatt
4                       78    RubberBandINDaStretch    Stride LIVE    Parts Unknown
5                       76    Kelso's Kennel    Gary Schneekloth    Alexandria
6                       74    Jell-ooooooo    Ashley Bolsei    LeRoy
7                       72    Chop 'im up at Charlie's    charles pravata    arcadia
8                       71    CMCC    Barry Mitchell    Inglewood
9                       69    ChiTown to Derby #2    Thomas Haydock    Mundelein
10                     67    Superterrific Stable    dana byerly    New York

Carrying On The Mr. Prospector Line - Myung Kwon Cho, Part 2

 

     After Part One of this story, we really wanted to know about Myung Kwon Cho. We wanted to know the real story, not just the few tidbits that were out there in Google-land. So, we reached out to his son Raxon and found something we feel Stride LIVE readers will enjoy.

story by Scott Serio

photos by Cynthia Lum, Ed Van Meter and Charles Pravata

        

      Fusaichi Pegasus was the last son the legendary sire and racehorse Mr. Prospector to win the Kentucky Derby. South Korean emigrant, horse breeder, trainer and owner Myung Kwon Cho is counting on that bloodline to deliver him his first Derby win.

     From his small stable of six horses, Cho has two Kentucky Derby contenders in Premier Pegasus and Riveting Reason and they are both offspring of Mr. Prospector. Speaking through his 17-year-old son Raxon Cho, Myung Kwon said, “I chose Fusaichi Pegasus to breed to Squall Linda mainly for the history of him being one of the last of Mr. Prospector’s children,” and added, “Plus, the price was right.”

     The journey to the 2011 Kentucky Derby trail for Cho is marked with an almost stunning level of success in picking the right horses, by a man who arrived in the United States in 1978 having never heard of the first jewel of the Triple Crown. In fact, he had never even seen a horse race.

 

     Myung Kwon Cho was born in North Korea, but grew up in Seoul.  He left South Korea and came to the United States for the promise of a better life. He had no family when he arrived, only a dream. His first job was painting apartments. Cho’s current business is exporting clothing back to his homeland. It started as an endeavor to help a friend and turned into a company that now ships clothing around the world.  While his business ventures grew, Cho met his wife Lydia and started a family.  They have five children.

     Then there is the horse racing.  Cho went to see his first races at Santa Anita with a group of friends.  According to Raxon, “He thought a horse race would be more like the equestrian competitions, where they are jumping over obstacles.” But that wasn’t the case. “Once he saw that they were actually racing, he got really interested in the sport.”

     In 1992, Cho finally jumped into horse racing as an owner with the purchase of a $16,000 claimer Zonar. What has followed for the man who has never ridden a horse is nothing short of remarkable.

     At first, Cho was just an owner, but now he has a trainer’s license and is involved in breeding. In spite of the shipping export business, which is a full-time family business, Cho thinks he probably spends more time with horse racing. According to Raxon, “For 15 years my father would go to the racetrack at four in morning until 10 am. Then he would go to his business and spend the rest of the day there.”  But that wasn’t the end of the day. “He believes that he may spend more time with horse racing mainly because before and after work he is thinking and working horses.”

 

     Cho’s dedication has led to success.  He claimed Video Ranger for $30,000 and managed to pull a fourth place finish in the 1990 Kentucky Derby out of him. In 1996, Cho’s first entrant into the Breeders Cup was Critical Factor. This $30,000 Keeneland purchase went on to finish third in the Juvenile. Then there was Nationalore.  He finished third in the 1997 Breeders Cup Juvenile as a maiden and ran ninth in the 1998 Kentucky Derby.

     That Derby was the first memory of horse racing for Raxon Cho. “I was so young I only remember Kentucky being very cold and wet from the rain,” said Raxon, the second youngest of the elder Cho’s children.

     Now seventeen, Raxon is intimately involved in his father’s racing operation and hopes to become even more involved.

     “I guess I'm the one to be the most involved, because I was drawn to racing more because my father took me to the races all the time when I was younger,” said Raxon. “ Where as my older siblings weren't as into it. I was getting into it. My dad was picking up in racing with horses like Double Galore, then Street Hero.”

     Street Hero was the first true Kentucky Derby hopeful for Myung Kwon Cho. He won the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at two and finished third to eventual Champion Two Year Old Midshipman in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. But, for all the promise, it was short-lived. Street Hero exited the race with an injury and was retired to stud at Vinery's Lexington operation.

     Raxon has a front row seat with his father for this Road to the Roses. According to Raxon, “I think its an amazing feeling to have two horses that could run in the Derby. Its always been my dream, from a horse racing stand point, to go to the Derby,” And as for his father, Raxon added, “It has always been his dream to win the derby and the Triple Crown and this year with two horses it makes that dream closer to achieve.”

    Riveting Reason and Premier Pegasus are solid contenders, but making it to the Churchill Downs with a healthy horse and winning the Kentucky Derby is a formidable task. When those two minutes of insanity are over – either you have the ultimate prize in your grasp or you just have hopes for the future. Raxon Cho has a good grasp on the concept.

     “I plan to be very involved, I actually think I could get my trainers license by the end of the year,” said Raxon. “I do see myself going to college. I will probably be just a trainer for my dad until he decides that I should do all the other stuff, like owning and breeding. I am learning all tools of the trade but concentrating on training right now.”

     When given the option of choosing a role model to emulate, Raxon’s choice is simple. “There is really no one else besides my father. Maybe Bob Baffert just because of the work he has done with horse racing, but other than him, I really have to say my father,” he said.

     And if things don’t work out this year, the Cho’s have another prospect on the horizon for 2013.  They are still making plans for the yearling. “We have some ideas for name's but nothing yet. Probably something like (something) Hero. He looks just like his full-brother Street Hero. We hope that he runs just well, if not better.”

    Myung Kwon Cho’s success is not a solitary venture, he is aided by two assistant trainers, Maria Ayala and Rafael Martinez. When commenting on how integral a part of the operation Ayala is, he said, “My father relies on her quite a bit because she is his eyes. My dad cannot be at the track 24/7 because of work.” Raxon added, “He trusts that she will tell him everything and listen to whatever he asks her to do.”

     All of the trust and long hours seem to have paid dividends in 2011.  First, there was the Robert B. Lewis on February 12, 2011. Riveting Reason fought Anthony’s Cross to the wire, only to lose by a nose.  The stretch drive was stirring and provided one of the more hotly contested prep races of the Derby season.

     This weekend Premier Pegasus, or PrePeg to the Cho’s, re-emerged on the Derby Trail. He avenged his third place finish in the February 20^th edition of the San Vicente with a 7 ¾-length romp in the San Felipe. PrePeg chased early fractions of 21.75, 44.58 and 1:08.98 and sprinted clear to finish the 1 1/16-miles in 1:41.23 over a fast track.

     The next stop for the Cho’s is the Santa Anita Derby, but they think their two sons of Mr. Prospector will carry them much further, hopefully all the way to the infield at Churchill Downs standing next to one of them – wearing a blanket of roses. That is the plan at least.

 

Who Is Myung Kwon Cho?

Riveting Reason (6) battles Anthony's Cross to the wire in the Robert B. Lewis (Cynthia Lum/Eclipse Sportswire)

     With just under two months to go in the 2011 Kentucky Derby trail, which trainer has the most formidable contenders? Some might think that is a slam-dunk and say Todd Pletcher, but Los Angeles-based businessman and trainer Myung Kwon Cho makes for a pretty good argument.

     Pletcher has Uncle Mo, but Cho has Riveting Reason (seen above losing to Anthony's Cross by nose) and Premier Pegasus.  Pegasus is a homebred for Cho, who also owns him, and like Riveting Reason is out of a dam who has already produced a stakes winner.

(Cynthia Lum/Eclipse Sportswire)

     Cho, 68, lives in California with his wife Lydia and has five children.  He arrived in the United States in 1978 and built up a clothing export business which still ships to Asia from the downtown plant is Los Angeles.

      But when the racing bug hits, who can stop it? Cho got involved with racing and by the mid '90s was training, according to Breeders' Cup records. He enjoyed early success with a $40,000 claimer Video Ranger. He has taken other modest sales purchases and has had likewise success.

     The aforementioned Video Ranger ended up fourth in the Kentucky Derby.  Cho then took Critical Factor, a $30,000 Keeneland purchase, and finished third with him in the 1996 Breeders Cup Juvenile. Next up for Cho was another show finish in the Juvenile in 1997 with maiden Nationalore.

    But it wasn't until 2008 when Cho would again start to make noise on the Derby Trail with Street Hero. But Street Hero's party was short-lived.  The Grade One winner was injured after finishing third to Midshipman in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Premier Pegasus winning the San Felipe (Cynthia Lum/Eclipse Sportswire)

      It is in Street Hero's dam Squall Linda where you can find Myung Kwon Cho's link to the 2011 Kentucky Derby trail. Premier Pegasus is also out of Squall Linda, and that makes him Street Hero's half-brother.

       Cho's other Derby contender - Riveting Reason.  His stretch drive duel with Anthony's Cross in this year's Robert B. Lewis is arguably the most stirring battle yet between Derby contenders. As with Premier Pegasus, Riveting Reason's sire is also Fusaichi Pegasus.

(Charles Pravata/Eclipse Sportswire)

     To say Myung Kwon Cho likes the Mr. Prospector sire line provided by 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is an understatement.  The stallion stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky. If Riverting Reason or Premier Pegasus make it to the first Saturday in May and win, it will be both their sire's and Cho's first Derby win.

      Whether it is $25,000 Keeneland purchase Riveting Reason or his homebred Premier Pegasus, Myung Kwon Cho looks as if he is ready to have an impact on the rest of the 2011 Derby Trail.  And, if this Derby Trail doesn't work out for Cho, there is already another Squall Linda baby out there for Cho. This one a yearling and a full brother to Street Hero.

     You can look for his signature purple and gold silks next in the Santa Anita Derby.
(ALL INFORMATION COMPILED FROM WIRE SERVICE REPORTS AND NEWS RELEASES)
(CORRECTION: Mr. Cho's wife's first name is Lydia, not Lygia, as compiled from another source)

Stay Thirsty Scores In Gotham

     Uncle Mo's understudy Stay Thirsty made the most of his chance to play the leading role by stealing the show in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Race Track.  Stay Thirsty took command easily and remained in front for the win, but he lugged in during the stretch drive triggering an objection. Maybe he just wanted to add a little drama for his time in the spotlight. In the end, trainer Todd Pletcher gave a fist pump as the son of Bernardini's first graded stakes win was upheld and owner Mike Repole was able to return to the winner's circle once again.

     Next up for Mike Repole's Kentucky Derby hopefuls will be the 2011 debut of Uncle Mo on March 12th in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park. If all goes well with that start, Repole Stables will be loaded for the Derby. Stay Thirsty's win jumped him into the Top 10 in grades stakes earnings.

     It is unclear where this win will rank for Stay Thirsty when compared to other Derby preps.  This was his first start since finishing fifth in the 2010 Breeders Cup Juvenile, so it was expected he might not be completely fit. The winning time for the 1 1/16-mile race of 1:44.78 wasn't stunning either. Then there is the aforementioned lugging in.

     For Mike Repole, it is one win down in one debut. According to an interview with the The Bloodhorse, trainer Todd Pletcher was ecstatic and thought Stay Thirsty ran huge off the layoff. Now Uncle Mo will return to the spotlight and it is his turn to deliver.

CAPTIONS: Top, Mike Repole leads Stay Thirsty to the winner's circle (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire); Left, Todd Pletcher gives a fist pump as stewards leave the order of finish unchanged (Eric Kalet/Eclipse Sportswire); Right, Ramon Dominguez talks with owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher while awaiting the outcome of an objection (Eric Kalet/Eclipse Sportswire); Bottom, Ramon Dominguez looks under his arm and sees daylight as Stay Thirsty cruises home with a 3-length win in the Gotham Stakes (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire)

Road To The Roses Fantasy League

Are you riding Soldat all the way to Churchill?

Soldat, jockey Alan Garcia up, wires the field for a front-running win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.

     Just about everyone in the Stride LIVE league for the Road to the Roses Fantasy Game had Soldat to win the Fountain of Youth. Flashpoint winning the Hutcheson? Not so much.  Many stables also had Gourmet Dinner, To Honor And Serve and Travelin Man.
     With One weeks of results, here are the Top 5 stables in Stride LIVE's league. Anyone see anything familiar? Apparently Barry Mitchell and Keith Cooper knew something the rest of us didn't.

Rank    Score    Stable Name - Player - Hometown
1               56    CMCC, Barry Mitchell, Inglewood
2               50    Zain-in-my-heart Stable, Keith Cooper, cassatt
3               48    Zain-In-My-Heart-2, Keith Cooper, cassatt
4               46    Ivargroup, Barry Mitchell, Inglewood
4               46    Professor Thoroughbred, Barry Mitchell, Inglewood

     According to several interview, Soldat's trainer Kiaran McLaughlin believes the colt is just as amenable to being on the front end as he is rating, which is good news on the Derby Trail.  Soldat earned a 96 Beyer Speed Rating for the win, down from the 102 he earned in his dirt track allowance debut in the slop. Still, the 96 is respectable.
     What's is next on the Derby Trail?  Next weekend has the Gotham Stakes and the John Battaglia Memorial as races where you can earn RTTR points. We will analyze those races later, but it looks like Stay Thirsty, Toby's Corner and maybe even Hutcheson scratch Crossbow might vie for honors.
      Who are your sleepers? From looking at the entrants in the Stride LIVE league, many have chosen the horses who occupy many of the Top Ten lists out there.  Some folks do have Fort Hughes, Wilkinson, Sweet Ducky, Albergatti and the like.  We like Crimson China, he has a chance to be a real difference maker. If you don't have him in your stable yet, you will after he wins the Spiral.
     If you have an RTTR Stable and still want to become a part of the Stride LIVE league, here is our information.

OUR LEAGUE INFO:
Entry link: http://www.roadtotheroses.com/G=94/game/join_league.phtml 
League Number:1313038988
Activation Code:4192170078

     To Barry and Keith, very nice job this week. Question is...will your stable be able to hold up for the entire Derby Trail?  Front runners don't exactly do well at Churchill.  Stay tuned...

At Home With The Winningest Jockey

     If there were any jockey to help Silver Medallion break through and make his presence felt on the Derby Trail, why not the world's winningest jockey in the likes of Russell Baze. He has 27 riding titles at the track by the Golden Gate Bridge, he now has three straight El Camino Real Derbies and he has a bonafide Derby contender in his charge.  
     Baze was Silver Medallion's fifth jockey, at his fifth track mind you, in only six starts for the Kentucky Derby hopeful. The TYB Stables son of Badge of Silver wasn't highly regarded either. The connections for 1-2 post-time favorite Comma To The Top considered the El Camino at Golden Gate Fields the easier of the  prep races on Saturday.
    When Comma To The Top decided to surge to the front and burn himself out running rank, Silver Medallion and Baze capitalized on the opportunity. Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Comma faded to sixth place and off the board, causing some pretty plump show prices. For Silver Medallion though, having a local expert, and hero, in the irons proved advantageous. Baze slid Silver Medallion into the 4-path and the 6-1 shot cruised to a 1 1/4-length win in 1:50 2/5 for the 1 1/8-miles, just 4 ticks of the track record.  The performance earned him the highest Beyer Speed Figure for all of the Derby preps over the weekend.
     With a first-leg qualifier for the Preakness 5.5 under his belt, and $120,000 graded stakes earnings, the Santa Anita Derby is the likely to be Silver Medallion's next start.

     The El Camino Real Derby is a big race for Golden Gates Fields. It is one of the few graded stakes races the track hosts and, with the inception of the Preakness 5.5, the El Camino gained added significance.  To document the big day, Eclipse Sportswire photographer Bob Mayberger ventured west.  His photographs of some of the sights and scenes around Golden Gate Fields are in the slideshow below.


Scenes From Golden Gate Fields from Stride LIVE on Vimeo.
Eclipse Sportswire photographer Bob Mayberger ventured to Golden Gate Fields this past weekend. As many focused on Santa Anita and Tampa Bay, the three-year-old prep race whose winner scored the highest Beyer Speed Figure was the El Camino Real Derby, and Mayberger was there to document the day.