News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
BAFFERT AMONG SIX ELECTED TO HALL OF FAME
Trainers Bob Baffert and Janet Elliot, jockey Eddie Maple and the horses Ben Nevis II, Silverbulletday and Tiznow have been elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. The sextet will be inducted on Friday, August 14 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Baffert, Maple, Silverbulletday and Tiznow were elected in the contemporary categories by the 181 members of the Hall of Fame’s voting panel.
Elliot, the second woman elected and the Hall of Fame’s first female trainer, and Ben Nevis II, winner of the English Grand National in 1980, were selected for induction by the Steeplechase Committee. In 2000, jockey Julie Krone was the first woman elected to the Hall of Fame.
Baffert, 56, and the late Robert Wheeler were the finalists in the contemporary trainers category. Maple, 60, finished ahead of Randy Romero and Alex Solis in the contemporary jockeys voting. It was Maple’s seventh time on the ballot.
Tiznow, the only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, received more votes than Best Pal and Point Given in the contemporary male division. Silverbulletday finished ahead of Open Mind and Sky Beauty in the contemporary female category.
Baffert has trained the winners of eight Triple Crown races, seven Breeders’ Cup races and has handled 10 champions, including Mike Pegram’s Silverbulletday. After rising to prominence as a Quarter Horse trainer, Baffert began a transition to Thoroughbred racing at the end of the 1970s. “It’s an honor,” he said. “It’s a very humbling feeling right now. I’ve always thought about it but I really wasn’t mentally prepared for it when I heard about being on the ballot this year.”
Baffert will look to add to his Hall of Fame credentials a week from Saturday when he saddles Santa Anita Derby winner Pioneerof the Nile in the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
TALAMO TO APPEAR TONIGHT ON LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY
Joe Talamo, the 19-year-old jockey of top Kentucky Derby contender I Want Revenge, will be featured tonight on “Last Call with Carson Daly”, a popular talk and variety show on NBC that airs at 1:35 a.m. ET. (Check local listings.)
Talamo, who has garnered much media attention this year for his role on the Animal Planet series “Jockeys” and for his recent exploits on Twitter, will appear in a special segment taped last week at Santa Anita Park with Daly.
