TABOADA AN AVID SUPPORTER OF HORSE RACING AND AUTISM AWARENESS
At 2-years-old, Renzo Taboada was diagnosed with autism. Eighteen years later, his father, Johnny Taboada, spreads awareness of autism through his thoroughbred ownership operation. Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to “a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.”
“I’ve named about 30 to 40 horses who have the word ‘Autism’ in the name,” explained Taboada. “I want to spread awareness as much as I can.”
“A few years ago, I named a mare ‘Butterfly Soul’ after my son because he has a beautiful, pure soul,” continued Taboada. “But the name didn’t have a meaning for other people. So, I decided that every horse has to have the word ‘Autism’ in the name. Now, people with kids and grandkids who have autism come up to me and we talk. I’ve met a lot of really nice people.”
Taboada has the phrase “Autism Awareness” printed on the back of his racing silks, along with a picture of four puzzle pieces. The pieces indicate that doctors have been unable to pinpoint exactly where autism comes from (though many have theorized that the disorder could stem from genetic and or environmental causes.) The Taboada family also produces Taboada Racing hats, with the expressions “Autism Awareness” and “Horses for Autism” labeled on each side of the caps.
Two of Taboada’s most successful racehorses have been named after autism. 2009 Berkeley Handicapper winner Autism Awareness earned over $356,732 throughout his 39-race career while one of Taboada’s current racehorses, 2018 Oakland Stakes victor Touched by Autism, has also earned upwards of $300,000. Taboada reports that the latter equine is taking time off at a farm but will be back at the track soon.
Taboada is a participant in the claiming game, meaning that not all of his horses contain autism themed expressions. In fact, his 5-year-old mare Sweet Rafaela defeated heavy favorite Marilyn’s Smile in a starter allowance last Thursday. She, too, sported the “Autism Awareness” silks.
That said, we can expect to see many young racehorses with the “Autism” representation moving into 2020. Last year, Taboada bought 9 yearlings, all of whom contain the word ‘Autism’ in the name. One of them, Friend of Autism, has already won at Golden Gate this year.
Taboada, who has employed Marcia Stortz, Isidro Tamayo and Jonathan Wong to train his horses, is also a dedicated family man. Speaking of his son Renzo, Johnny beamed with pride.
“Everybody loves Renzo,” said Papa Taboada. “He comes [to Golden Gate Fields] all the time. He’s in college now. He has such a great attitude. He loves the horses and loves talking to people. He is a great kid.”
A BANNER WEEKEND FOR JOCKEY IRVING OROZCO
We’ll get right to the chase: jockey Irving Orozco had a weekend to remember last Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the 25-year-old journeyman guided five winners’ home to the roar of an enthusiastic Saturday crowd. Any jockey who manages to pick up five victories in one day is considered to have achieved a fantastic feat. 24 hours later, though, Orozco came close to the previous day’s mark, winning four races on the Dollar Day program. Doing the first-grade math, that’s nine wins in two days.
“I went into last weekend thinking I had a lot of good chances [to win],” said Orozco. “I did my homework beforehand and from there, I took it one race at a time.”
Orozco has needed to work hard to achieve top status in the Northern California jockey colony. He has had his fair share of setbacks over the years, including last October, when he suffered serious internal injuries after a spill when his mount clipped heels and stumbled badly, unseating Orozco. He was out of action for five months and, while the recovery process was lengthy, Orozco admits that taking time to get back to full strength was well-worth it.
“That incident was a life changing event,” said Orozco. “I appreciate my work a lot more. I appreciate the opportunities I get a lot more. Recovering from my injuries, it took a lot of patience and resilience. Because I took really good care of myself, I was able to get back to full strength and I feel great.”
With two more weeks to go at the current summer meet, Orozco is primed for his third ever riding title at Golden Gate Fields. He has won 32 races at the current meeting and is 13 victories ahead of second place rider Frank Alvarado. Orozco’s two previous Golden Gate Fields riding titles came at the 2017 and 2018 summer meetings.
“I’m really proud to be at Golden Gate Fields,” said Orozco. “My success wouldn’t be possible without the support of the many horsemen and owners who have trusted me with their horses.”
WICKED OLD FASHION VS. KEEPER OFTHE STARS IN FRIDAY ALLOWANCE
Race 3 on Friday, an allowance on turf for fillies and mares, features the return of Rolling Green third place finisher Wicked Old Fashion and Golden Gate Fields turf track record holder Keeper Ofthe Stars.
We begin our discussion with Wicked Old Fashion, who has won 3 of 5 starts this year. 2 of the 3 aforementioned victories were against allowance company. Trained by Victor Trujillo, the daughter of Colonel John is “all racehorse”, with 10 career wins from 20 lifetime starts. Her most recent afternoon appearance, a third-place finish in the Rolling Green Stakes against males, was better than looked. She sat well off-the-pace (uncharacteristic of her typical “close to the pace” running style) and was caught wide on both turns before rallying for an in-the-money placing. She finished ahead behind second place finisher Builder and 3 lengths away from the versatile winner Restrainedvengance, a multiple minor stakes winner on turf and Grade 3 placed on dirt.
Keeper Ofthe Stars, conditioned by leading trainer Jonathan Wong, is a talented 3-year-old filly that has been well regarded for quite some time. After running through her conditions earlier in the year, she broke the mile and a sixteenth turf track record on June 9, defeating older allowance runners while completing the course in 1:40.55 seconds. She has run twice since then, finishing fourth in the Grade 2 San Clemente and the Grade I Del Mar Oaks against 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar.
It’s worth mentioning that Keeper Ofthe Stars is also well bred: by 2-time Breeders Cup Sprint champion Midnight Lute, the 3-year-old sophomore is out of the Run Away and Hide mare Sociable, who is a half sibling to multiple Grade I winner and Kentucky stallion The Factor. Her current owners Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC purchased the gray or roan filly as a yearling for $180,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Sale.
Three challengers look to play “spoiler” in the Friday feature: multiple allowance winner Gratzie, recent starter allowance victor Oyster Shooter and the Wong trained Dr. Ann. Post time for the third race on Friday is approximately 2:15 PM.
THE FUN BEGINS…INDEED
4-year-old filly The Fun Begins was a well-kept secret heading into her career debut on Sunday afternoon. The California-bred daughter of Run Brother Ron had worked sharply before her first career start, which included a bullet 5-furlong drill out of the gate on the morning of August 24. That said, she was a 4-year-old late in the year making her first start, meaning she had taken a while to come around, and she was purchased for just $1,000 as a 2-year-old by owners Candelario Barragan and Jesus Ramos.
Of at odds of 8-1, the dark bay or brown filly went to the lead, setting fast fractions of 21.36, 45.07 and 57.11 before powering away from her competition and finishing eight lengths ahead of second place finisher Check Out and favorite Darling Demon, who most recently ran second in a maiden special weight at Del Mar. Silvio Amador was aboard for the ride.
“We knew she was fast,” said Jesus Ramos, who also trains the California-bred. “We knew she could run. But we didn’t know she would run like she did.”
The Fun Begins is out of the Storm Boot mare Yourfinalanswer, who was a 4-time winner when she raced in the early 2000’s. Yourfinalanswer has produced 3 winning siblings to The Fun Begins.
FINISH LINES: A “tip of the cap” to trainer Bill McLean, who won 4 races from 6 starters last week…The 2-year-old half-brother to 2019 El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate has been working regularly at Golden Gate Fields. The bay colt by Hard Spun, named Ajourneytofreedom, has recorded 7 listed morning drills since July and is under the care of trainer Blaine Wright. Owner Peter Redekop and his bloodstock agent, Alistair Roden, purchased the Kentucky-bred colt for $180,000 at the Florida OBS 2-year-olds in training sale last April…Vice President and General Manager of Golden Gate Fields David Duggan successfully tossed the first pitch at the Oakland Athletics game vs. the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Said Duggan, “I was absolutely terrified before I threw the pitch. When I walked out to the mound on my own, it felt like an eternity to get out there. And I got to the mound, looked at home plate and it looked like I was a million miles away. When I threw the baseball and it was going through the air, I was thinking to myself ‘Just make it [to home plate], just make it, just make it.’ But it was fantastic.” Over 30 Golden Gate Fields team members were in attendance to watch Duggan before the game, followed by a 2-1 victory for the Athletics…Happy birthday to jockey room massage therapist Richie Rond, who turns 51 years young on Saturday…Heading into Thursday’s card, Golden Gate Fields offers a $19,489 carryover in the 20 Cent Golden Pick Six jackpot wager…The Stronach 5 wager begins with Laurel Park’s eighth race this Friday. Leg C of the Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 4 at Golden Gate: a 12-horse starter 20k claimer on Tapeta.