Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Trainer Gary Jones retires

Trainer Gary Jones, the third-leading conditioner in Santa Anita history with more than 570 wins, retired from the training ranks on Monday. The 51-year-old equine tutor ended his professional career a winner as his last official starter, Ski Dancer, capped off an illustrious and accomplished vocation with a victory in the last-day featured Grade III San Simeon Handicap down the hill at 6 1/2 furlongs over Arcadia green.

Jones was completing a Santa Anita feature-race double as his Aurlette captured the Saturday Grade II Santa Barbara Handicap, also on the lawn. Several factors accounted for his decision to retire, with his health at the top of the list.

Jones had indicated that the "game" has changed a lot over the years, and this was a good time to bow out. In addition to California's top money-earner Best Pal, Jones also conditioned the top race mares, Kostroma and Lakeway. His other notable trainees have been Turkoman, Eleven Stitches and Luthier Fever.

Jones' first big horse was Wishing Well back in 1980, who was the dam of 1989 Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence. Gary learned his lessons well as the son of eight-time Santa Anita training champion Farrell W. Jones. Accounting for five Santa Anita titles of his own, Gary broke his father's track record of 44 victories when he won the trainers' championship with 47 wins in 1976.

He will now turn over a good portion of the 35-horse stable to his 24-year-old son Marty. If the training generational baton passed on to Marty is any indication, breeding and past performances of the human element should yield to a successful career.

Hollywood opens Friday

Hollywood Park, the next track up in the Southern California racing rotation, starts its spring-summer racing season on Friday with an evening opener. At the moment, Las Vegas race-goers will have to wait for the Prime Ticket replays to see the races.

As of late Monday, the Inglewood track and race book officials here in Nevada have not come to a simulcasting agreement that would allow the live race signal into the books. If this impasse is not resolved by the opening bell Friday night, then some books will revert back to the "old-style" bookmaking operation. Of course, this will mean limits on available exotic propositions and no participation in the Pick-6 or pick-all wagers. An 11th-hour settlement is always a possibility.

Derby approaching

All of the significant Kentucky Derby preps are in the books, and most of the serious contenders for the 122nd run for the roses are on the grounds or arriving at Churchill Downs.

With just a dozen days to go to D-Day, Unbridled's Song remains the favorite. The son of 1990 Derby winner Unbridled hasn't scared off any multitudes of rivals. The field for this edition should reach the limit 20 for the 1 1/4-mile classic.

The first jewel in the American Triple Crown has a wide-open and representative field of sophomores looking for fame in the event. Las Vegas race books are already making plans for the big day with Derby parties and proposition offers.

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