Hall of Fame trainer Frank “Pancho” Martin dead at age 86

Frank “Pancho” Martin, left, with Angel Cordero, Jr. (NMR Collection)

Trainer Frank “Pancho” Martin, who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1981, died Wednesday night. He was 86.

Martin, who was born in Cuba on Dec. 3, 1925, won 3,240 races and had purse earnings of $47,586,039, according to Equibase statistics. After stints in New England and Florida, Martin arrived in New York in 1951 and led that circuit in victories 11 times, including 10 straight years from 1973-1982. He led the nation in purse earnings with $2,408,419 in 1974. He won individual meet training titles at Aqueduct six times, Belmont four times, and Saratoga twice.

On his introduction to racing, Martin said: “I lived two blocks from Oriental Park when I was growing up, and the only things to do were to go to work on the track or play baseball. I was a lousy ballplayer.”

Martin trained Autobiography, champion older horse in 1972 when he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup; and Outstandingly, champion 2-year-old filly in 1984, when she was awarded the win in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies via disqualification. Outstandingly was owned by Harbor View Farm, which Martin trained for from 1983-86.

The most famous horse Martin trained was Sham, winner of the 1973 Santa Anita Derby and runner-up to Secretariat in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Martin’s other notable runners include 1959 Wood Memorial winner Manassa Mauler, 1974 Wood winner Rube the Great, 1971 Brooklyn Handicap winner Never Bow, and 1972 Suburban Handicap winner Hitchcock. Other major races won by Martin’s horses include the Santa Anita Handicap, Jersey Derby, Gotham, Monmouth Handicap, Lawrence Realization, Count Fleet, Whirlaway, and Toboggan.

Martin was honored with the New York Turf Writers Association’s Outstanding Trainer Award in 1971, 1974, and 1982, and also received the organization’s award as New York’s Champion Trainer in 1971, 1973, 1976-79, and 1981. Martin’s grandson, Carlos Martin, is currently a trainer on the NYRA circuit.

Steeplechase Festival coming to Saratoga in September

The Saratoga Springs community will celebrate its legendary relationship with thoroughbreds at the inaugural Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga, a day of racing and spirited activities set for Saturday, Sept. 15. Proceeds from the first annual Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga will benefit both local and equine charities.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will be the host benefactor, teaming up with the National Steeplechase Association (NSA) for this unique event experience, and will make available Saratoga Race Course for this community celebration. What’s more, the famed infield will be accessible for the first time in more than 30 years, for sponsor and entertainment activities under corporate tents providing an exclusive, intimate view of the races.

“We are excited to partner with the National Steeplechase Association for the first-ever Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga,” said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. “The most historic and prestigious racetrack in the country will be a fitting venue for this family-friendly event that will benefit local and equine charities.”

Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga officials said they were gratified for the support of both NYRA and the NSA.

“Steeplechase race meets are a wonderful way for members of the community to come together for a festive day of sport and socializing,” said Barry Potoker, local Committee Co-Chair for the event. “The tradition of Saratoga Race Course provides the quintessential venue for this unique kind of experience, and we are grateful for NYRA’s generosity. The Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga will offer a wide range of sponsorship and entertainment opportunities for both national and regional businesses to get broad exposure at an exciting, high-profile event.” 

The Steeplechase Festival at Saratogawill present at least five races, four of them over hurdles and carrying purses totaling $100,000. The feature race will be the $50,000 Saratoga Steeplechase Cup.

“The Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga will be a very important addition to our fall championship season,” said NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo Jr. “Its strong purse structure will attract top-notch horses aiming for major races later in the fall.”

In addition to the thrill of the non-pari-mutual races, other festivities will include music, equine exhibitions & shows, 5k walk/run on the famous Saratoga Race Course, celebrities, an authentic barbeque along with other food selections, special carriage rides on the dirt race track, vendor village, and much more! As is the tradition at the Spa, a free giveaway is planned for all paid admissions.

The Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga will wrap up a busy summer of world-class horse racing in Saratoga Springs. The season kicks-off with the Open House, the NYRA-sponsored Sunday afternoon of racing and activities for community members on Sunday, July 15.

A committee of community leaders, including the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, is at work planning the details of this inaugural Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga. The event will include one-of-a-kind sponsorships and entertainment opportunities, plus the festival’s charitable beneficiaries will be announced in the near future. A website, promotional and sponsorship opportunities brochures will be developed in the coming months with all the important information about this new and unique celebration. In addition, there is a pre-event party being planned for the evening of Friday, Sept. 14 to be held at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

For further event information and for sponsorship/entertainment opportunities, please contact Barry Potoker at 518-366-0946 or bpotoker@nycap.rr.com or Bob Giordano at 518-527-1496 or giordanorj@aol.com.

NYRA unveils 2011 Travers Stakes logo

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has unveiled the logo for the 142^nd running of the Travers Stakes.

The 2011 Travers logo features the signature spires of Saratoga Race Course and was designed by Eric Johnston of Art Design Studios, website located at http://www.ericmjohnston.com/.

The 142^nd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27. Known as the “Midsummer Derby,” the prestigious 1 ¼-mile race was first run in 1864, making it the oldest major stakes race in the country for 3-year-olds.

 

NYRA unveils 2011 Belmont Stakes logo

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has unveiled the logo for the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes, the 1½-mile “Test of the Champion,” the longest and final leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds.

The 2011 Belmont Stakes logo features Belmont’s sweeping oval encircling a stylized version of the New York City skyline punctuated by the historic Empire State Building. Superimposed before the track, which is illuminated by “Broadway lights,” is the Statue of Liberty overwritten by “Belmont Stakes.”

The 2011 Belmont Stakes logo was designed by Eric Johnston of Art Design Studios.

The 143rd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes will be held Saturday, June 11.

 

Richard Migliore joins NYRA as broadcast analyst, office associate

Richard Migliore (NYRA photo)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced that retired jockey Richard Migliore, who won more than 4,400 races over a career spanning three decades, will join the organization as a broadcast analyst and racing office associate, serving in a number of different roles.

As a broadcast analyst, Migliore will appear on a variety of NYRA TV program offerings. In support of the racing office, the 46-year old New York native will participate in the Apprentice Program, in which he will work with apprentices on riding skills, race strategies, and safe riding practices. Migliore will also help conduct seminars for new and prospective thoroughbred owners to encourage broader participation in the industry, and help NYRA’s community outreach programs by appearing at various local events. Migliore will also continue his current role as a television analyst on HRTV.

“As a native New Yorker and someone who grew up attending and riding at the NYRA tracks, to come back and work here is great,” said Migliore. “It is a very exciting time for New York racing and I’m looking forward to helping the company in a variety of different roles.”

Migliore, who was born in 1964 and grew up on Long Island, got a job on a horse farm near his home and decided he was going to be a jockey at age 12. He began riding in 1980, and in 1981 won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top apprentice with 298 victories. Twice the leading rider in New York – in 1981 and 1985 – Migliore won or tied as leading rider at 10 different NYRA meets, most recently taking the 2005 Aqueduct spring meet.

“Richard Migliore is a terrific addition to the NYRA team,” said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. “During the course of his 30-year career as a jockey, he displayed innate riding ability and remarkable perseverance. He is extremely well-spoken and can provide unique insight into races, making him a natural to help NYRA’s television, racing, and community outreach efforts.”

A fixture on the NYRA circuit, Migliore announced his retirement on June 2, 2010. “The Mig,” as he was known, rode 4,450 winners of more than $160 million. Some of his biggest victories came later in his career, taking his first Breeders’ Cup race in 2008 aboard Turf Sprint winner Desert Code, and in 2009 capturing the Grade 1 Gazelle and Grade 1 Test aboard Flashing. In all, he won 362 stakes, including 25 Grade 1 races.