Author Archives: Kevin Modesti

Horse racing, and especially horse-racing writers, lost a great friend when Joe Hirsch died Friday at age 80. Hirsch was the sort of industry giant whom young writers could be nervous about approaching. But he was the sort of man … Continue reading →

After a Thanksgiving break, let’s update our jockey ratings going into the sixth week of the Hollywood Park autumn meet. As explained previously, I give a jockey a point for each win, award a bonus point for each long-shot win … Continue reading →

A good-news announcement this evening from Hollywood Park, which has lost a lot of betting because out-of-state fans haven’t been able to bet on-line and by phone on the Inglewood track this season: Hollywood Park announced that as a result … Continue reading →

Here in Southern California, harness racing is 400 miles away (at Cal Expo in Sacramento) and big-time harness racing is even more distant, so it’s easy to forget about that branch of the sport. Here’s some unintended drama surrounding the … Continue reading →

Our racetracks’ schedules for next year have been set by the California Horse Racing Board. The Southern California slate: Santa Anita — Dec. 26 (2008)-April 19 Hollywood Park — April 22-July 19 Del Mar — July 22-Sept. 9 Fairplex Park … Continue reading →

One of the niceties of the Southern California racing season is the annual presentation of the George Woolf Award to a jockey who has impressed his peers on and off the track. Many of the past winners show up at … Continue reading →

This may come as a shock to those who watched Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator run 1-2 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but there was a better-regarded European horse this year. LONDON (AP) — Zarkava, the unbeaten filly who defeated the … Continue reading →

Let’s update our ratings for the local jockeys after three weeks at Hollywood Park. As I explained recently, I give a rider a point for each win, award a bonus point for each long-shot win (10-1 or higher) and each … Continue reading →

Great to see the Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee’s glowing account of Michael Wrona’s audition for the Churchill Downs announcer job. I think Wrona, formerly of Hollywood Park, is the best in the business. McGee begins: LOUISVILLE, Ky. — No … Continue reading →

Some horses to consider in the last three races on the Friday-night card at Hollywood Park: 6th — Outlaw Yodeler (No. 7), 6-1 on the morning line. He has been working as if he means to open a lead he … Continue reading →