Sign in Subscribe
Horse racing

Triple Crown Stars Gather at Delaware Park

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A group of horsemen and trainers, including recent Kentucky Derby winners, congregated at Delaware Park before a race, discussing their Derby experiences and future plans. The gathering included Michael Matz, who trained Barbaro to victory in the Kentucky Derby, Mike Trombetta, who saddled Sweetnorthernsaint, and Tim Ritchey, who trained Afleet Alex to Preakness and Belmont Stakes victories. The horsemen commiserated about their Derby experiences and shared insights on their training strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Michael Matz, trainer of Barbaro, was congratulated by fellow horsemen on his Kentucky Derby victory, with Tim Ritchey describing the win as "awesome."
  • Ritchey, who trained Afleet Alex, offered his thoughts on Matz's training strategy, saying that every horse is different and must be trained accordingly.
  • Mike Trombetta, trainer of Sweetnorthernsaint, expressed disappointment with his horse's seventh-place finish in the Derby, but was already looking forward to the Preakness with his regular jockey, Kent Desormeaux.
  • Trombetta also mentioned that Kent Desormeaux will remain Sweetnorthernsaint's rider for the Preakness, which is to be run at Pimlico.
  • Mario Pino, the original jockey of Sweetnorthernsaint, had to undergo hernia surgery and was replaced by Kent Desormeaux, according to Pino.
  • Jose Caraballo, who rode Barbaro in his first two career victories, was aboard When the Saints, who won an allowance race at Delaware Park.

Statistics:

  • Michael Matz's Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby, earning $1.2 million.
  • Sweetnorthernsaint finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, which Trombetta considered a troubled trip.
  • Afleet Alex, trained by Tim Ritchey, won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2005.
  • Kent Desormeaux, a 35-year-old Hall of Fame inductee, will ride Sweetnorthernsaint in the Preakness.
  • Mario Pino is 44 years old and was replaced by Kent Desormeaux as the jockey of Sweetnorthernsaint.

Sources:

  • "Triple Crown Stars Gather at Delaware Park," by Craig Donnelly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 2006.
  • "Horsehill Member's Sons May Follow in His Footprints," by Craig Donnelly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2005.
  • "New horse racing owner works with popular jockey, set up to win Preakness," by Amy Sullivan, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2005.
  • "Kentucky Derby winners look to Preakness, Belmont," by Bob Finnigan, The Columbus Dispatch, 2005.

Read more