TMS Articles


	Articles 4/7/05 Racing News by Aaron Sanchez TMSvideo.com Albuquerque Downs Set for 2005 Opening Located in the enchanted city of Albuquerque, NM, The Downs at Albuquerque -- the track where legendary jockey Milo Valenzuela got his start -- opened the doors for its 2005 spring season on April 2 and will operate on a Wednesday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule through June 12. . With the crisp clean air and the grandstand facing the freshly snow capped Sandia Mountains as a background for the 1/16-mile track, The Downs at Albuquerque kicked off its exciting season with ten races on the opening-day card. The Downs at Albuquerqueís track superintendent, Tony Martinez, who formerly worked at Santa Anita in Southern California, is the man in charge of the beautiful setting for the entire season of great racing. TMS is researching the roots of the racing career of Ismael ìMiloî Valenzuela. Becky Baros of the trackís turf club management recalls Valenzuelaís early days in Albuquerque. "He was great to watch while he was racing here" Baros said. Baros wishes the best to Valenzuela's family and much luck to him in securing his position among the sportís greatest in racingís Hall of Fame. Baros also recalls famed Southern California racecaller Trevor Denman visiting The Downs at Albuquerque and sends her best, also wondering if he remembers her. Special News about The Downs at Santa Fe The Downs at Santa Fe will be renovated for a possible 2007 racing season. Everyone is looking forward for the project to start this summer and the State of New Mexico expects to be a major player in the horseracing industry in the next couple of years. 3/20/05 So I pose a question to racing (20th century)historians and writers.. Milo Valenzuela - Hall of Fame candidate? Had the fortune (or mis?) to ride in the Arcaro, Shoemaker, Hartack, Longden era..Rode Kelso (from his 5yo year), won the KD twice on Tim Tam and Forward Pass. "Only" won ~2,500 races, but was sort of a 'go-to' guy when you needed a top notch rider, and the above-mentioned were unavailable. Rode coast to coast. At a recent tribute dinner, it was said he was the Latin equivalent of Jackie Robinson in horse racing. So, I'd like opinions, or thoughts on Milo. Should just straight up win numbers be the criteria for HOF nominations? Or (more closely aligned with my thinking) should it be your impact on your sport combined with wins? Should Milo be on the ballot this year? How would one go about bringing him to the attention of those who might delve more deeply into his contributions? We seem to be losing our racing history faster than we are making it. How nice it would be to dig beyond the obvious. And no, I am not related to Milo in any way. Just would like to see recognition for an old man mostly forgotten. Michelle Brown

Articles

4/7/05

Racing News
by Aaron Sanchez
TMSvideo.com

Albuquerque Downs Set for 2005 Opening

Located in the enchanted city of Albuquerque, NM, The Downs at Albuquerque -- the track where legendary jockey Milo Valenzuela got his start -- opened the doors for its 2005 spring season on April 2 and will operate on a Wednesday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule through June 12.
.
With the crisp clean air and the grandstand facing the freshly snow capped Sandia Mountains as a background for the 1/16-mile track, The Downs at Albuquerque kicked off its exciting season with ten races on the opening-day card. The Downs at Albuquerqueís track superintendent, Tony Martinez, who formerly worked at Santa Anita in Southern California, is the man in charge of the beautiful setting for the entire season of great racing.

TMS is researching the roots of the racing career of Ismael ìMiloî Valenzuela. Becky Baros of the trackís turf club management recalls Valenzuelaís early days in Albuquerque.

"He was great to watch while he was racing here" Baros said.

Baros wishes the best to Valenzuela's family and much luck to him in securing his position among the sportís greatest in racingís Hall of Fame.

Baros also recalls famed Southern California racecaller Trevor Denman visiting The Downs at Albuquerque and sends her best, also wondering if he remembers her.

Special News about The Downs at Santa Fe

The Downs at Santa Fe will be renovated for a possible 2007 racing season. Everyone is looking forward for the project to start this summer and the State of New Mexico expects to be a major player in the horseracing industry in the next couple of years.

3/20/05

So I pose a question to racing (20th century)historians and writers..
Milo Valenzuela - Hall of Fame candidate?

Had the fortune (or mis?) to ride in the Arcaro, Shoemaker, Hartack, Longden era..Rode Kelso (from his 5yo year), won the KD twice on Tim Tam and Forward Pass. "Only" won ~2,500 races, but was sort of a 'go-to' guy when you needed a top notch rider, and the above-mentioned were unavailable. Rode coast to coast. At a recent tribute dinner, it was said he was the Latin equivalent of Jackie Robinson in horse racing.

So, I'd like opinions, or thoughts on Milo. Should just straight up win numbers be the criteria for HOF nominations? Or (more closely aligned with my thinking) should it be your impact on your sport combined with wins? Should Milo be on the ballot this year? How would one go about bringing him to the attention of those who might delve more deeply into his contributions?

We seem to be losing our racing history faster than we are making it. How nice it would be to dig beyond the obvious. And no, I am not related to Milo in any way. Just would like to see recognition for an old man mostly forgotten.

Michelle Brown