Parimutuels

Castanon's return planned for New Year's Day

By DON JENSEN
Published December 24, 2005

OLDSMAR - He's coming back.

Jesus Castanon, leading rider at Tampa Bay Downs the past two seasons, is expected to return to the Oldsmar oval Jan. 1. According to the Daily Racing Form, Castanon will make the move after the Turfway Park holiday meet ends Dec. 31. He was the leading rider at the Florence, Ky., track entering Friday.

Danny Gargan, agent for Castanon, said his client will compete at Tampa Bay Downs before returning to Kentucky for the Keeneland spring meet that begins April 7.

Castanon's wife, trainer Rolanda Simpson, is expected to move her stable to Tampa next week.

SEEKING A RECORD: Frank Amonte Sr. was the No. 1 boxer in his Police Athletic League's flyweight division at ages 12-15 and thought he could be a prizefighter. One day, his goals changed.

"Two guys told me the money wasn't in the lighter weights, and I wouldn't stay as pretty as I was," he said. "That's when I decided to ride horses."

For more than five decades, Amonte has been a journeyman jockey, riding in countries such as Canada and Cuba. But in America, he's an icon.

Competing at Tampa Bay Downs for the first time in 48 years, Amonte is attempting to accomplish something no rider has ever done: win a race at age 70. Born Sept. 5, 1935, Amonte rode Evas Boy to a win at Suffolk Downs on Aug.10, moving him past then 69-year-old Willie Clark of Charles Town, W.Va., as the oldest jockey in American history to win a race. Amonte's last victory came aboard Cuff The Quote at Northampton, Mass., Fairgrounds, one day shy of his 70th birthday.

A vegetarian, Amonte credits wife of 38 years, Ligia, for taking care of him. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native rides for Boston trainer Joseph Bertolino, and said he recently hired agent Mark Savastano.

Amonte, who has also been an owner and trainer, began riding in 1951 at Fairgrounds in New Orleans. He was the leading jockey in Cuba in 1957 when he first came to Tampa Bay Downs (then named Sunshine Park) for a stakes race.

"It was a $15,000 stakes and I finished third," he said.

Four years ago, Amonte broke a knee at Northampton and continued to ride for nearly three months.

"It was the worst injury I've had," he said. "At first, I kept riding with it and won the most races I'd ever won. But after a while, I just couldn't walk and had to have reconstructive surgery. Now, I'm good as ever."

MORE HORSE RACING: Whenthedoveflies, winner of the Holiday Inn Express Turf Dash March 19, captured the $40,00 0 My Melanie Stakes Thursday at Calder. Tampa Bay Downs jockey of the month and leading rider Jose Lezcano was in the irons for top trainer Kirk Ziadie. T.D. Houghton snapped an 0-for-30 start Tuesday with a victory aboard Sparksand Winston Bennett ended an 0-for 23 skid by winning with See the Parade on Dec.17. Harmony, ridden by Derek Bell, returned a meet-high $96.40 for a $2 win ticket Sunday, triggering a $5,321.20 trifecta. With Jill Jellison sidelined with a broken foot, Tammi Piermarini is the first-call rider for trainer Bobby Raymond. Tampa Bay Downs is giving away 2006 calendars with paid admission Friday through Jan.1 while supplies last.

DOG RACING: It didn't take long for another record to fall at Derby Lane. Magic City Kennel's Shameless Dream set a 660-yard standard at 36.89 seconds on Dec. 17, three nights after Greys Kidnapper broke a 10-year mark with a 36.93 race.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULES: Tampa Bay Downs won't have live racing today, but simulcast wagering will be available until 5 p.m. Derby Lane will have a matinee with the facility closing at 6 p.m. Both tracks will be closed Christmas along with Tampa Greyhound Track, which entertains simulcast wagering.

[Last modified December 24, 2005, 01:10:16]