Isaac Murphy And Jimmy Winkfield Still Riding

Isaac Murphy did not live very long, but his impact on the sport of horse racing has lasted a lifetime. Born in Fayette county in 1861, Murphy first worked as an exercise boy before riding in his first race at the age of fourteen. Murphy won that first race. He would go on to dominate the sport that he loved tremendously, and set a winning percentage of 44% that will probably never be challenged.

Issac Murphy at the age of eighteen won thirty-five of the seventy-five races he entered. In 1882 at Saratoga he had forty nine wins from fifty-one starters. The most amazing accomplishment of Murphy's career was his good fortune in the Kentucky Derby. This was and still is the premier race in America for three year olds and Murphy not only rode in them but won the race three times. Murphy's talent was among the best of his time, and trainers and owners wanted to win, so they would put the best jockeys on their horses. Isaac was considered the best, so he inherited a lot of those good mounts. Isaac Murphy won the Derby aboard Buchanan in 1884, Riley in 1890, and Kingman in 1891. Not only was Murphy the first to win the Derby an astonishing three times, but he was first to win the Derby back to back.

Like most jockeys today and during his time, Murphy had to work to make weight. He tried different diets to help achieve the desired riding weight. The diets and the trauma that they caused to his body would be a contributing factor in his death. Isaac Murphy died from pneumonia brought on by a weakened immune system. He lived thirty six years.

If Isaac Murphy was the first great Black Jockey, then Jimmy Winkfield was the most intrepid of all black jockeys. Born in Chilesburg, Kentucky , in 1882, Winfield was a trail blazer who was ahead of his time. He did things in races that was extremely dangerous, but it was that daring and brash quality that endeared him to many. Jimmy Winfield career began in 1898 and he quickly rose to the elite statue of many of the greats at the time. He won the Kentucky Derby in 1901 at the age of 12. He also won in 1902, and almost won the race in 1903, but made a premature move that cost him the race. Riding the odds on favourite in the Derby named Early, Winfield took a one and half length lead, but came up empty in the stretch and lost by three quarters of a length to a 10-1 long shot. After losing the race Winfield was in tears. He said,"I lost my head". He called the loss the worst of his career.

With Jim crow laws polluting the South and the closing of many tracks, Winkfield moved his tack to ride overseas. The move would provide Jimmy with his greatest success as a rider. In Russia he won the Emperor's Purse, the Moscow Derby twice, and the Russian Derby three times. In Germany, he won the Grand Prix De Bader. In Poland he won the Poland Derby twice, and in France he won the Prix Du President De La Republique.

In 1940 the Germans invaded France and confiscated Mr. Winkfield property to stable their horses. He fled with his wife and son to Portugal. On April 30, 1941 after being out of his homeland for decades, Jimmy Winkfield returned home penniless.

He worked several jobs to make ends meet. He worked as a groom and a exercise rider. Eventually he would began training horses again. Twelve years after coming home, Winkfield decided to return to the land that made him feel like an equal human being, so in 1953 he returned to France to open a riding school. In 1974 at the age of 91 Jimmy Winkfield died in France.

At the height of the Black Jockey dominance in this country, the Kentucky Derby was dominated by these talented riders. In 1875 during the first Derby, 13 of the 15 riders were African Americans. African Americans rode 15 of the first 28 Derby winners. Today one would have to look far and wide to find a Black Jockey in the Derby. Shaun Bridgmohan rode in the Kentucky Derby from 2006-2009. His first try was aboard  Private Vow who finished 15th. His best result to that point came aboard the Winchell owned Pyro who finished 9th, but in 2011 he returned to the derby field aboard Santiva who finished 6th. This year he is still looking for that Kentucky derby ride that would make him the first black jockey to win the derby since Winkfield.  The only other Black Jockeys to have ridden in the Derby since the early 1900's are Marlon St. Julien who finished seventh aboard Curule in 2000, Patrick Husbands who rode Seaside Retreat in 2006, and in 2013 Goldencents with Kevin Krigger. Goldencents came to the Derby with jockey Kevin Krigger aboard looking to put his face in the history books. There were many chorus singing that he maybe the first black jockey to win this prestigious race in a long time. The chorus was wrong. Goldencents never got going, and Krigger has since lost the mount on Goldencents, plus he had to ship back to Golden Gate Fields  to regain his form. 

In his book Great Black Jockeys, author Edward Hoataling writes,"They were ridden out of the sport and they've been sort of written out of the sport too". He goes on to say, "Their disappearance I see really as a civil rights story".

The journey of these two great riders and many others need to be continued and recognized. The racing hall of fame  inducted Mr. Winkfield in their prestigious hall in 2004 . In 2005 New York named a race in his honor, but I believe that we need to take it further in honoring these two great jockeys. Churchill Downs where horse racing premier event takes place, should name one of the races run on Kentucky Derby day after Isaac Murphy or Jimmy Winkfield. I think it would be a fitting honor for two outstanding jockeys who blazed the trail when the trail was difficult.

Social Inclusion May Know Something We Don't

It was suppose to be the coming out party for Honor Code. Everyone in the horse racing community waited for the eight race on Wednesday March 12, at Gulfstream Park. The race was filled with nice horses that had done minimal work on the triple crown circuit. In the next few months after this race the probability of every seeing one of these horses win a grade one or even become grade one place was probably slim to none. I sat glued to the television wondering how many lengths would Honor Code win by. He had the best jockey in the country, Javier Castellano on his back. His trainer was last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Shug McGaughey. His owners campaigned super horse Mineshaft, and Honor Code is by world class AP Indy. The starter unlatched the gate and they were off running. The leader was some horse that the track announcer was calling but who really cared. I was waiting for Honor Code to make his move and unleashed the power that overtook Cairo Prince. They turned for home, and then suddenly a light bulb flashed over my head. This leader wasn't coming back to the pack and Honor Code wasn't gaining any ground. Larry Collmus shouted track record, he shouted ten lengths. I sat back and laughed, because horse racing will get you every time you think you have these magnificent animals figured out. Luis Contreras probably was as stunned as everyone at the track or watching on the tube. I know Castellano was shocked. Shug McGaughey sounded confused post race interview. The day and subsequent days to followed belong to Social Inclusion, his trainer Manny Azpura, and owner Ron Sanchez of Rontos Racing Stable. Everyone immediately began to talk about how much would this horse would go for. That was a logical leap as owners with deep pockets are always looking to find the next Derby winner. I recalled  watching Curlin breaking his maiden at  Gulfstream by twelve lengths and the deep pockets dug deep to buy controlling interest in the horse at the time. Curlin went on to do some amazing things locally and internationally. The price tag for Social Inclusion was a staggering fifteen million dollars after rejecting eight millions. I laughed. An allowance winner. I love the game, but after watching horse racing for over thirty years I have seen some remarkable mind blowing performances that never quite lived up to the encore. I shared with anyone who would listen why I would take the money and find a nice retreat back in my native country Jamaica. But my mindset and the owners are different. In the days to follow, I was even more surprise when owner Ron Sanchez said they were going to hold onto to the horse until after the Wood at Aqueduct. What? In the stock market you sell when the stock his peaking. You don't sit around and wait to see what it will do a few weeks from now. I laughed again because when you think you have this game figured out someone or something make you realize otherwise. I am looking forward to this Saturday's Wood Memorial. It should be an superb race with Uncle Sight and Samraat, and now Social Inclusion. Some of the most memorable winners of the Wood Memorial are Eskendereya, Bellamy Road and I Want Revenge. Those horses sticks out in my mind because of the manner in which they won the race. Eskendereya walked away from the field under jockey Johnny Velasquez with such ease that I thought the Kentucky Derby was his for the taken, but the racing gods struck and we never saw him do his thing on the first Saturday of May. Bellamy Road who was owned by the Yankee Boss took the race to them under Castellano and finished them off, even allowing Castellano to wag his finger at the crowd that day. I was there. It was a wow traveling through the old Aqueduct grandstand. He was suppose to destroy them in the Derby. He showed up and decided he didn't want to run. Once again when you think you have this game figured out, the gods put you in your place. Finally, I Want Revenge, the stars were aligned. He had the owners, the trainer and the young jock who was and is blessed with incredible skills. The starter let them go and he broke last. But the racing gods had a different plan that day. On that Saturday, the gods wanted us to think we know what we are talking about. The gods wanted to us to think we are good handicappers with all the ins and outs figured out. I Want Revenge Won the Wood Memorial, and hearts all over were in love with this stunning performance. The gods tricked us one more time. He never came out to dance at the party. So this Saturday we could be in for something special. Maybe Ron Sanchez and trainer Manny Azpura know something that only they and the gods know. Maybe they will destroy the Wood field in stylish fashion that we won't be talking about nothing except how much of a genius they are and how much will the horse be sold for. We just don't know. I love Social Inclusion. I love what the name signifies to me. I love the rolling of the dice by these folks who are in charge of this enormous three year old. This Saturday when the dust clears, we all maybe saying if only he had sold or what a genius they are. We don't know, but the gods do, and they are cooking up something special to blow our minds away.

Kentucky Derby Top Twenty

1. Tapiture: Jockey Change..feel bad for Ricardo Santana Jr. but I am excusing roughly run Rebel. His previous wins were exciting and memorable

2.Constitution:  Florida Derby win was impressive...maybe time to put Apollo to bed...He wants more

3.Wildcat Red: Okay I maybe drinking a little juice with this one rank so high but I love this little monster...How far does he want to go..ask War Emblem..dam side has staying power

4. Intense Holiday: I am throwing out Louisiana Derby..Risen Star win convinced me.

5. Cairo Prince: Too early to be discourage on this charge. Too talented. Holy Bull was still most impressive prep thus far

6. Hoppertunity: I love a bad ass horse and he is a bad ass...taking him into battle

7. California Chrome: The little engine that could. This week's Santa Anita Derby still won't answer questions. He may lose even if he wins.

8. Candy Boy: If you love Midnight Hawk and Chitu then here is your derby horse.

9. Samratt: Another horse I would take to a fight. He should he higher. New York Bred is still playing tricks on my mind. I know..I know..Funny Cide

10.Uncle Sigh: If it wasn't for Samratt he would be the toast of New York.

11. Bayern: I need an encore or I am calling sandman to drop you down further

12.Social Inclusion: Eight Million Dollars..I have some bills to be paid plus a mortgage..see Bayern

13.Conquest Titan: Allowance win at Churchill was mind blowing..I am still a believer

14.Commanding Curve: I am always looking for a price and he was coming in Louisiana Derby..I know I said I was throwing out the race but he still was coming.

15. Vicars In Trouble: Derby won't be that easy and if Mike Maker didn't think he was best chance for derby then why should I think he is going to win...Rosie factor makes him viable

16. Strong Mandate: This is a case of what have you done for me lately...strong Saratoga form..so so Breeders' Cup..lousy last two race..now Rosario said bye bye and hops to Tapiture..put Ricardo Santana Jr up coach

17. Chitu: Needed a number seventeen

18: Ring Weekend: Scratching my head about this one but Motion knows the motion to the derby ocean

19. General A Rod: Nice horse..loved Churchill..see Conquest Titan...

20. We Miss Artie: Starting to fall asleep..YAWN

Who Wants To Win The Kentucky Derby?

this was suppose to be separation Saturday and what we ended up with was a more cloudy forecast.

Constitution laid down the law in Florida winning the Florida Derby with a strong fight down the

stretch to defeat Wildcat Red. Johnny Velasquez apparently fell asleep at the wheels of Wildcat Red

and allowed world class jockey Javier Castellano to sneak up the rail in his best Borel imitation to win

the Florida Derby, and the hundred qualifying  points needed for the Kentucky Derby. Take nothing

 away from Wildcat Red, he fought like he had in previous races, not willing to let anyone pass him.

Constitution was just a big boy today and he brought big guns to this fight. Cairo Prince was the

biggest disappointment of the day. He sat a beautiful trip under jockey Saez but when they turned for

home and Saez squeezed him there was nothing in the tank. He has only twenty four qualifying points,

so his opportunity to make the gate the first Saturday of May is depending on how the next few weeks

shake out. Constitution was the take away today from Florida. He gave Castellano a little trouble going

down the back stretch but once he was settled he was moving lovely.

In Louisiana, Rosie Navpranik took them to school when she put Vicars In Trouble on the lead and

stole one from them like a thief in the night. The other speed in the race Rise Up got caught napping at

the gate and it was game set match. Rosie put them to sleep and turning for home she had a ton of gas

left in the tank. She unleashed the beast and Vicars In Trouble responded lovely for her. Mike Smith

had Intense Holiday on the inside and he was more in the game this time around compare to the Risen

Star where he was a little further off the pace. Intense Holiday was going up and down instead of

chasing and coming like he did in the Risen Star. I was not impress. If the Kentucky Derby was

tomorrow I am throwing out all the horses from the Louisiana Derby.

The most impressive horse of the day was Untapable. She did what she was suppose to do. She took on

an impressive winner in Unbridled Forever and she demolished her.

Untapable Unstoppable

1:43 flat, six lengths, much more to give, the longer they went the more beautiful she moved over the Fairgrounds strip. Jockey Rosie Napravnik won the race out of the gate. She guided Untapable off the rail and to the outside of Fiftyshadesofgold. Jockey Napravnik sat like she was on the beach soaking up the Louisiana sun. Robbie Albarado, the jockey aboard Unbridled Forever moved his filly alongside Untapable to engage her turning for home, but Rosie shook the reins, drew the stick from her holster, and the daughter of Tapit yelled bye bye. She moved down the stretch like a fine jazz tune serenading the Fairgrounds crowd. Unbridled Forever who was impressive in her previous wins wasn't any match for Untapable today. I am starting to wonder how did
she lose the Breeders' cup Juvenile fillies. Let's see how the boys show up in the Louisiana and Florida Derby. They may be competing for the headline after this day is over. Untapable has taken some of the bad taste from the Asmussen's barn while showing showing everyone she maybe the best three year old horse in training.

New Orleans Handicap Could Be Fools Gold

Normandy Invasion storms into New Orleans after a track setting, dominating performance win in his comeback race down at the conveyor belt track Gulfstream Park. He took his competition apart with ease and Castellano sat aboard the Chad Brown charge like a jock who knew he had this battle won from the moment he charged out of the gate. Who did he really beat in that come back race?  Not much, but when you set a track record in your come back effort its worth putting down your past performance sheets and take a look. Normandy Invasion was always a horse that showed tons of promise. Last year triple crown trail he had many thinking he could give Brown and Castellano their very first Kentucky Derby win. He turned for home with the lead and then was blasted to pieces by Orb who destroyed all comers in the mud at Churchill. I expect big things from Normandy this year, but his last race while impressive is suspect because of the track. The track down at the Fairgrounds could be a little soupy and sticky today and he won't be running against first level allowance horses who filled a race trying to cash a check.

 Palace Malice also takes his beauty down to Fairgrounds with Mike Smith climbing back aboard. Palace Malice also came back to win down at Gulfstream after taking a break. He was moving comfortably in his come back race, until a second tier handicap horse Uncaptured moved alongside him with a premature move by his jock. Uncaptured wilted like lettuce, and Palace malice rallied to win his come back with a hard charging Golden Ticket,  a nice miler, making the end result interesting. People were so impress with this win by Palace Malice. all the talk was about how he was headed then fought back inside with a relentless ride by champion jockey Johnny Velasquez. The fact is, Palace Malice was suppose to win that race. he was suppose to dispose of his competitors like Normandy Invasion did. He was suppose to be on the lead and Johnny Velasquez was suppose to be given an arm chair ride while looking over his shoulders and between his legs a few times to make sure no one was coming. That wasn't the script. He was in a race of his life from two horses that will not win any handicap races at major tracks this year. But win he did and I will never take anything from a horse that wins. Winning is what matters and he delivered the ten cents back on the dollar for all whom wager that day. I am staying away form Both Normandy Invasion and Palace Malice in the New Orleans handicap. Both horses will bring excitement for their backers this year in the handicap division but the value isn't there today down at Fairgrounds.

For value I am taking a look at three other horses. Bradster trained by the underrated Eddie Kenneally, Sunbean who is trying to become what Star Guitar once was, and Prayer for Relief whom left the Steve Asmussen barn after the Peta scandal by his owner Zayat.  Prayer For Relief now eats up after races in the Dale Romans barn. I know these horses haven't showed the talent of Will Take Charge or Mucho Macho Man but they are good enough to cash a ticket considering that the two main threats are making their second start off a comeback. This race maybe  a two horse race turning for home. Palace malice maybe playing catch me if you can under Mike left handed whipping Smith and Normandy Invasion may just run him down in the stretch under the guidance of Rosie, but that is a shot worth taking against. If they both go at it and run one, two, then it would've been a nice entertaining race that wet the appetite of those who can't wait to see all the big stars in the handicap division line up. But if they are not up to stuff in their second race after a layoff, then put your two dollars elsewhere. I will be rooting for a nice race but my two dollars will be seeking a value.

The pick: Prayer for Relief over Sunbean

Untapable Maybe The Best

To say this past week has been a troublesome one for Steve Asmussen would be an understatement. The Asmussen barn came under sever scrutiny when Peta went undercover and released a video showing Asmussen's top assistant Scott Blasi sharing his views on horses in the barn. His views started a firestorm on how Asmussen manage his stable. Scott Blasi's actions resulted in Zayat stables dispersing their horses to other trainers around the country. This weekend could bring some welcome joy to the Asmussen barn. He has the top three year old filly Untapable running in the fairgrounds oaks. Her last effort in the Rachel Alexandra was the most impressive win this triple crown season by either sex. Jockey Rosie Napravnik guided the daughter of Tapit around the fairground strip with a superb Hand. Rosie sat chilly on her, knowing full well how much horse she had. Turning for home she unleashed the beast, and she demolished the opposition in one swift motion. Napravnik even had time to take a look back to see where the others where, and they were no where to be found. The win was dominating, and secured her position as the top filly going into the Kentucky Oaks. This Saturday she will face a test, when the Dallas Stewart train Unbridled Forever try to put a stop to the Untapable express. I am looking forward to this match because Unbridled Forever two wins were very impressive. Robbie Albarado who guided this talented filly in her previous wins climbs back aboard once again. Sure the Louisiana and Florida Derby highlights the day because of the prestige of the Kentucky Derby and the lofty place it holds, but we may see a star that will surpass anything that the boys can do. Steve Asmussen will be hoping for a dominating win after a tumultuous week. The star may aligned to reverse the pain for the time being. Horse racing is always looking for its next big star that will bring the chorus to those who are not paying attention to the sweet sport. Untapable maybe just that star that will quiet some of the negative noise that has been bubbling waiting to explode.