Apprentice Velazquez Escapes Injury

Apprentice jockey Denny Velazquez escaped serious injury when his mount Whiskey Bent, owned and trained by Jay Cuccia, broke down in Sunday’s fifth race at Fair Grounds. Velazquez was able to fulfill the remainder of his engagements Sunday despite body soreness.

Born in Jones, Oklahoma, Velazquez, 17, has been riding eight months after beginning his career at Canterbury Park last year. He has been the leading apprentice at Fair Grounds throughout the season and had ridden 10 winners locally entering Monday’s racing day.

FAIR GROUNDS’ KATIE MIKOLAY PICKS 8 OUT OF 9 SUNDAY

Katie Mikolay, Fair Grounds’ racing analyst and television personality, picked the first eight winners on top during Sunday’s nine-race program at the Crescent City oval. Among the winners comprising her eight-bagger was Virginia Lazenby’s True, who paid $13.20 to win in Race 7.

In the race in which she failed to pick the winner on top, her top selection finished second and her second choice won the race, crediting Mikolay with the exacta box. 

The native of Chicago, Illinois, is enjoying her first season as Fair Grounds’ paddock hostess.

SHANE SELLERS’ SON SABIN AN ALL-STATE ATHLETE

Sabin Sellers, 18, son of Fair Grounds-based jockey Shane Sellers, is an All-State lacrosse player whose St. Thomas More Cougars high school team from Lafayette, Louisiana, won the varsity division of the fifth annual Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic.

The three-day regional tournament was held in New Orleans at the end of January, allowing the senior Sellers to attend the tournament and enjoy a brief visit with his son.