These 10 people could make a mark in racing in 2023

Here is a look at 10 people likely to make a significant mark on racing in 2023.

Lisa Lazarus. She was named chief executive officer of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority last Feb. 15 and has worked tirelessly to convince stakeholders that a fragmented industry must unite behind HISA. “Let’s fight like hell behind closed doors but speak publicly in one voice,” Lazarus said in December at the Global Symposium on Racing hosted by the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program. Only time will tell whether Lazarus or anyone can bring together disparate elements not accustomed to thinking about the greater good.

Terry Finley. One of the game’s greatest risk-takers, Finley invested $1 million to buy Flightline as a yearling in 2019 on behalf of West Point Thoroughbreds before adding partners. He was richly rewarded when Flightline dominated the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was retired after establishing himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats despite being lightly raced. Finley has continued his heavy spending at sales with the hope that lightning can strike twice.

Steve Asmussen. The winningest trainer in North America with more than 9,900 victories thought his Kentucky Derby drought was over when Epicenter appeared to take command only to be run down by 80-1 Rich Strike. That extended Asmussen’s drought to 0-for-24 in a Derby quest that began in 2001. He already has three prospects among the top 25 on the current Kentucky Derby leaderboard: Red Route One, Gulfport and Echo Again. Some Derby soon has to have his name on it. Why not 2023?

Tyler Gaffalione. The 28-year-old should only build off a breakthrough year that brought his first two Breeders’ Cup victories, with Wonder Wheel in the Juvenile Fillies and Caravel in the Turf Sprint. He produced a particularly masterful ride aboard Wonder Wheel, who broke poorly and had to weave her way through a big field. He delivered Caravel at 42-1. His earnings surpassed $27 million, a massive $8 million jump from the year before, as he swept riding titles at Keeneland, Churchill Downs and Kentucky Downs. There is no telling how high is high for Gaffalione and Matt Muzikar, his astute agent.

Tom Amoss. It has been a long road to more than 4,000 victories for Amoss, 61. He always has had a good eye for a horse, and he established himself by taking inexpensive claiming horses to higher levels. He showed what he could do with the right horse when he bought Serengeti Empress for $70,000 as a yearling for owner Joel Politi and won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with her in 2019. That has resulted in increased spending power. He bought Iroquois (G3) winner Curly Jack for $180,000 for Mike McLoughlin and has him second on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard. Hoosier Philly, unbeaten through three starts, stands fifth on the Oaks leaderboard. She was a $510,000 buy for Gold Standard Racing Stable. Exciting times, indeed, for Amoss and his staff.

Saffie Joseph Jr. The 35-year-old Barbados native has established himself as a power in South Florida and is increasingly making his presence felt nationally. He dethroned Todd Pletcher as leading trainer at the last Gulfstream Park championship meet. He won the centerpiece of that meet when White Abarrio prevailed in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1). He also took third in the Belmont Stakes with Skippylongstocking, a $37,000 purchase for Daniel Alonso as a 2-year-old in training who now is headed to the Pegasus World Cup (G1). That kind of success gets the attention of major owners, allowing the financial backing for this third-generation horseman to steadily increase. As Joseph said in looking to a bright future, “Owners make trainers.”

Brittany Russell. If any trainer is on a very fast track to success, it is Maryland-based Russell. According to Equibase, she won 11 races when she started out in 2018. She earned a career-high 100 victories in 2022. Russell also became only the fourth woman to capture a Maryland race meet when she topped the standings at Laurel last spring. Then she added the Preakness stand and continued to be a force throughout the year. As if all of that is not enough, she and her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, are proud parents of 3-year-old daughter Edy and 1-year-old son Rye.

Riley Mott. Mott certainly learned from one of the best of all time. His father, Bill, became the youngest trainer in history to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. He was 45 when he received the ultimate honor in 1998. Riley, 30, worked for eight years as an assistant to his father before striking out on his own in November. He is maintaining a string of about 20 horses at Oaklawn Park. He already has attracted top clients such as Louis Cella, Oaklawn’s president, and Alex Lieblong, chairman of the Arkansas Racing Commission. Riley has always understood, though, that it will take more than a famous surname for him to succeed.

John Ortiz. Ortiz, 36, is yet another promising young trainer with a connection to Bill Mott. His father, Carlos, rode regularly for him. The younger Ortiz was 16 when he began working as a hotwalker for Mott. Ortiz has made steady progress since he took out his trainer’s license in 2016. His win total jumped from 48 in 2021 to 66 and his earnings from $2,614,398 to $5,213,717. He participated in the spring classics for the first time when Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Barber Road finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and seventh in the Belmont Stakes. Bigger days appear to be ahead for Ortiz, who grew up a few blocks from Belmont Park.

Timothy Martin. Martin appeared to be on the ride of a lifetime with the horse of a lifetime when 2-year-old Tyler’s Tribe dominated his first five races at Prairie Meadows by a combined 59 3/4 lengths. Tyler’s Tribe advanced to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland, and that is where his troubles began. Forced to compete without Lasix for the first time, he bled profusely and had to be vanned off. He received Lasix for his next start but still bled in the Advent Stakes at Oaklawn Park and weakened to finish third. Martin is hoping time away from the races might be the key to an April or May comeback.