The Real Players Inside The Backstretch™️

I Didn’t Get Here Alone | Junior Alvarado Winning the Derby brought everything back for Junior — the injuries, the doubt, the nights with nothing, and the person who wouldn’t let him walk away. Filmed during Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park.

There’s always a story behind the name. Old Smoke is built on Saratoga history — and that’s what made this collaboration feel right. Storytelling through content 🤝 storytelling through product. Pre-orders are live now for The Real Players Polo. 👉 oldsmokeclothing.com/the-real-playe… We just getting started. This summer is going to be different.

Today’s message. If you’re in this game — tell your story. Don’t wait on anyone to do it for you. Authenticity always wins. And if you’re rocking with the movement — 👉 Pre-orders live now: The Real Players Polo oldsmokeclothing.com/the-real-playe…

After 6 years building The Real Players Inside the Backstretch, this is the first official drop. This one means a lot to me. Introducing: The Real Players Polo We call this design “The Rails” — inspired by the track and the game we all love. We’re launching it as a pre-order to get a real pulse from the people and make sure we deliver it the right way. 👉 Pre-orders are live now: oldsmokeclothing.com/the-real-playe… Appreciate everyone who’s been part of the journey. This is just the beginning.

THE REAL PLAYERS POLO 👇 oldsmokeclothing.com/the-real-playe…

@failedtomenace 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

💔 RIP Faithann Hope Goza 🕊️ My mother passed away peacefully in her sleep last night following her fight with cancer. She was 69 years old. She was an amazing mother and while she spoiled me as her only child, she also instilled in me so many important values and ethics that have sustained me throughout my life. She supported me in everything I did and was proud of every achievement no matter how small. She encouraged my creativity from the time I was a child as she would type the stories I made up and left room on each page for us to illustrate with my drawings. Then she would laminate the pages and bind them so I show off my book. That’s just one small example of the countless things she did throughout my life to encourage me. She was a brilliant woman who read constantly, was gifted with her hobbies of needlepoint and crochet, and loved her British detective shows. She also loved horse racing. As a little girl in the early 60s, her grandfather would take her to the track and she loved betting on the greys. One of my favorite recent memories was taking her to the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs about four years ago as she lived an hour from the track but had never been. She marveled at Irad Ortiz Jr. winning everything that day and loved seeing the races. I will miss her so much but I’m so lucky that I got to spend the last two months caring for her and being with her. Yes, there were tough days this last months and sleepless nights, but she ultimately passed on her own terms and did so with dignity. I share this because it’s important to love and appreciate your parents and loved ones every day. I’m so thankful for all of my friends and colleagues who offered messages of support during this time. I appreciate you all and your words meant more to me than you know. I love you, mom and already miss you.

I wish everyone could walk the backstretch with me. To see what this platform really means to the people who live it every day. It’s special.

They call him Banana. Juan Ortiz. Groom. Five horses is the number. Do it right. 20 years with the horses.

In this week's #OnRacing, John Flakes recalls his time with John Shirreffs. He found in Shirreffs a kindred spirit, driven by a philosophy that gave every horse a chance. Read more: go.bloodhorse.com/46mV9RE @JayHovdey

@BloodHorse Congratulations @agentes305 🔥🔥🔥

Parx Racing Partners With Agentes 305 go.bloodhorse.com/3OhrW4t

@JayHovdey 🙏🏾

My god, no. John's gone ...

Michelle Castillo’s path into racing didn’t come from a horse family. It came from curiosity. Former jockey. Now a trainer. 17 horses in the barn.

Started at the bottom. The only way is up.

Carla Eldridge on the roots of American horse racing. Black horsemen were the backbone of the game, listening to the horse and building the sport from the ground up.

✅ RP

If you worked alongside these men — or were taught by them — we want to hear from you.

📍 Tampa Bay Downs - RP

44 years in the game. Still learning. Still looking for the next great horse. Kathy Mongeon.

These are the hands that feed the horses, clean the stalls, and keep the sport alive.

Dale Carrington on the journey, the sacrifice, and loving horses like family.