Page 14 - September 2015

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
Meeting On the MOuntain
September means the Quarter Horse world will gather on the Mountain and watch fast horses racing down the track, and the entire racing world will take notice of the world-record $3 million purse of the All American Futurity-G1 on Labor Day.
The prize money equates to the largest purse for any 2-year-old horse race in the world.
“This is a monumental event in the history of Quarter Horse racing,” said Ruidoso Downs’ general manager Shaun Hubbard. “All of our fans, horsemen and Quarter Horse racing will benefit. We especially appreci- ate the owners and trainers who participate in these races.
“This is very special and exciting during a time of decreasing foal crops and a general downward busi- ness trend nationwide.”
To put it into perspective, the purse is a million dol- lars more than the Kentucky Derby’s $2 million purse and the $2 million purse for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which is for 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. Ruidoso reported that the 2015 All American purse is believed to be in the top-10 purses of any horse race in the world.
The record purse should entice buyers who will be looking for the 2016 All American winner at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale September 4-6.
As Ruidoso wraps up its summer meet on Labor Day, Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico, will be rolling out the red carpet welcoming horses for their 2015 meet that will run September 12 - December 15, 2015.
JOckey casey LaMbert
On August 24, jockey Casey Lambert celebrated his 50th birthday and earlier in the month he announced that he was retiring from riding professionally at the end of Ruidoso’s 2015 meet. Lambert has won nearly 3,400 races riding both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses and will hang up his tack on September 7 at the track where he started his career.
“I’ve been riding really well, but I’ve decided that it’s time,” Lambert said. “I’ve always had in the back of my mind that when my boys graduate from high school, that’s when I would start to wind it up. Now it’s been a couple of years past that, and I’m turning 50 this summer; I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life.”
In 1981, Lambert started his career two days after his 16th birthday at Ruidoso Downs. He followed in his family tradition of being in the racehorse business but in a different role. His father, Cliff, won the first All American Futurity aboard Galobar in 1959 and is the all-time winning trainer in New Mexico history. His grandfather, George Cosper, is considered one
of New Mexico’s all-time top trainers. The award
for the annual leading trainer
from the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association is named after Cosper.
“Our family
has been involved
in New Mexico
horse racing for
several genera-
tions,” Lambert said.
“We’ve been very
fortunate to have
been involved with
many good horses.
I know that I’ll still
be involved in racing after this summer, only not as a jockey.”
The most famous horse that Lambert ever rode
is Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Lambert rode the 3-year-old in the WinStar Derby (now the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby) that year, just weeks before the horse upset the field at Churchill Downs. It was one of the most remembered upsets (50-1 odds) in racing history.
“I still haven’t watched the movie (50 to 1) because I’ve been told they didn’t treat my character very well,” Lambert grinned. “There’s no doubt that the stars aligned that day for that horse in the Kentucky Derby. Calvin Borel was the perfect rider and got that horse through on the rail when no one else would have been able to. I’m very happy for all those con- nections and for Mine That Bird.”
Lambert points to Heritage Of Gold, third-place finisher in the 2000 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, as the best racehorse he’s ever ridden.
“Steve Asmussen trained that horse when I rode her, and they switched trainers right before the Breeder’s Cup. I believe that Heritage Of Gold would have won the Breeder’s Cup had she remained in his barn. I would have loved the opportunity to ride her in that race, but I have no regrets.”
Lambert said he has traveled across the country riding horses on every circuit and refers to many jock- eys as “my best friends.” He said he’s humbled to have had a long, successful career riding horses.
“I’m not making a big deal out of retiring,” Lambert said. “I’m still going to be around the horses and might try my hand at training. I’m thankful to my family and friends for all their sup- port through the years.”
Best of luck to Casey as he begins this new chapter.
Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
The MonTh in review
12 SPEEDHORSE, September 2015
Track chaTTer
Coady Photography