Former Press Democrat horse racing handicaper Bill Nichols shares his opinion on past and upcoming races. The Press Democrat is trying to find out if there is a local interest in the sport. So please respond with your own opinions about the posted comments, either for or against, and offer your own questions so others can share their opinions. ...
Horse of the Year Curlin breezes a half mile in 52.80 at Santa Anita. There is still no word if Curlin will enter the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic to defend his title against Big Brown and others like Go Between, Well Armed and numerous others, including a few from across the puddle. VELAZQUEZ UPDATE: Rider John Velazquez was released from the University of Kentucky Medical Center Saturday afternoon following a bad spill on Friday and Keenland race track. Velazquez had a concussion, no broken bones and will take a few days off to clear the cobwebs. He was to return home to New York on Sunday. Jockey Jamie Theriot was also unseated in the same mishap. He was reportedly kicked in the head, cracked four teeth and possibly has a hairline fracture of his ankle. According to Eric Crawford of the Courier Journal in Louisville, Ky., Theriot, after learning he didn't have a concussion, immediately left for Hooiser Park in Anderson, Ind., and rode Dubai Majesty to a third-place finish in the Indiana Oaks, then flew back to Lexington, Ky. That's one tough dude. PEPPERS PRIDE Seventy-five percent of the people voting in our Peppers Pride poll, feel there is no need for an asterisk accompanying Peppers Pride recent record of 17 straight victories. Voters took into account that the 5-year-old mare hadn't race outside New Mexico. Had never faced the boys and wasn't competing in open-division races. But as Southern California trainer says, "A win ...
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