Kentucky Derby Celebration

April 28, 2013

Dear Readers,
    
    The Kentucky Derby is almost here and I have been invited to the join in the big party being held at the Pleasanton racetrack's simulcast wagering facility on the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The following press release was issued:

April 23, 2013

Contact: Angel Moore                                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Telephone: (925) 426-7511

Email: amoore@alamedacountyfair.com

 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR CELEBRATES LOCAL DERBY HERO 

Bay Area Author Featured in Celebration 

                Pleasanton, CA, May 4―Author Shelley Riley will sign copies of her new memoir at the Pleasanton racetrack's simulcast wagering facility on the Alameda County Fairgrounds from Noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday (May 4) prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby.   

                Riley's memoir, CASUAL LIES - A TRIPLE CROWN ADVENTURE, chronicles the racing career of the stakes-winning colt who began his training at the Pleasanton racetrack and gained international attention for his performance in the 1992 Kentucky Derby.  

                Owned and trained by Riley, Casual Lies won the Grade III El Camino Real Stakes, Foster City Mile, and Sausalito Stakes while stabled in Pleasanton. After a third-place finish in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby, Shelley’s team flew to Louisville to take part in the Kentucky Derby and eventually all three legs of Thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown. 

                In 1992, Northern California native Shelley Riley became only the sixth woman to saddle a horse in the 118-year history of the Kentucky Derby and, with Casual Lies running second, made history as the female trainer with the best finish in this prestigious event, a record that still stands. Shelley and Casual Lies went on to a third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and completed the Triple Crown with a 5^th in the Belmont Stakes in New York. Shelley was the first female trainer to compete in all three Triple Crown races.   

                The Pleasanton racetrack's simulcast wagering facility opens at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday (May 4) and features racing from Hollywood Park as well as other out-of-state racetracks.  Post time for the Kentucky Derby is approximately 3:15 p.m. (PST).  For more information, contact the Alameda County Fair at (925) 426-7622.     

 

       

    Any of you that live in the area, please come by and give me a shout out, I would love to meet you in person. I will have a few books there for sale and of course I will be signing books. So if you have already bought your copy and want it signed be sure and bring it with you.

   At the time of this writing, there is another event in the works for a pre-Derby celebration in Downtown Pleasanton at the Towne Center Books. When I learn more about this event I will share the information with all of you.

    Things are heating up in the Triple Crown Season and it looks like its going to be a good one. Please share with your friends if you have read the book and like it. I am also here to answer any questions you may have.

Take care,
Shelley Riley

Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure review

April 22, 2013

Dear Readers,
      I have to share this most recent review of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure which posted on Amazon.

5.0 out of 5 stars Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure, April 22, 2013

By

Sharon DeLoach - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Casual Lies-A Triple Crown Adventure (Paperback)

I read this book in just a few days. I have watched the Kentucky Derby on t.v., but I did not know all about the regimen that these horses go through. This book shows the inside story and is a great read. It is a story of courage, love and perseverance. I fell in love with Casual Lies or Stanley as the owner nicknamed him. I also felt the immense love and dedication that Shelley Riley had toward her horse. For those of you who love a good story, this book is for you. Not only is it well written, but it is both compelling and thrilling. You will be cheering for Stanley to win the Triple Crown as the underdog in those races. You will be sad when he gets sick and you will be happy that the lives that he and Shelley touched are better for the encounter. I cannot say enough good things about this book. My favorite author is Paulo Coelho, but Shelley Riley's book is just as good a read as his books are. And the amazing thing is that all of the adventures in the book are real. So, if any one of you has read Paulo Coelho's books, you will know that she is a first class writer if I compare her to him. Buy the book. You will not be disappointed, I guarantee it.

Wow..! I am thrilled to bits that my memoir is receiving such wonderful reviews and that sharing Stanley's story has had such a positive effect.

Speaking about sharing, would the people in the UK that have bought the book let me know your feelings? I would be very interested in sharing them with my world wide audience.

Take care,
Shelley Riley

Casual Lies Handicap

April 18, 2013

Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

Dear Readers,

    Wondrous news, the Alameda County Fair has changed the name of their premier stakes race to the “Casual Lies Handicap.”

    I cried when I was told, what a legacy to see Stanley’s name on the program. Going forward his name will appear on the past performance line, a designation of accomplishment and success.

    This is a great honor, and to say I am very appreciative, somehow doesn’t adequately convey my feelings. I have been invited to present the Trophy to the winning owner and that in and of itself is such a delight. I can hardly wait.

   And so the adventure continues, even though Casual Lies no longer walks this earth, his legacy continues to affect my life in such a positive way. When I pick up the memoir and read a passage, I am transported back in time, to vivid memories of what a joy it was to be in the presence of such a warm, friendly and courageous personality.

 Take care,

Shelley Riley

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482679248   

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C63SVBE

Toyota Blue Grass Stakes

April 15, 2013

The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes

I watched the replay of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and it certainly was a  nail biting finish for the owner Charles Fipke and the trainer Kenneth McPeek of Java’s War.

In the majority of his previous races, Java’s War has experienced bad luck leaving the gate. For whatever reason―he got left, yet again, in the Blue Grass. Looking at his past performances, it would appear this horse prefers to run wide and on the outside for the most part.

So it was no surprise when Java’s War made his bid on the far outside, in the fourteen horse field of the Blue Grass. Really on the far outside is just what it was to, and then he was carried out even further at the head of the lane.

While it is always impressive when a horse comes from far off the pace to win, especially when they are forced to take the overland route, I didn’t find Java’s Wars finish inspiring enough to make him my favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

The hold your breath finish was about, “can he hold on” for one set of owners, or “can he catch them in time” by the other set. In the charge for the wire, among those still in contention, there was a lot of tail switching, saggy ears, lead changes, and rubbery legs going on from the sixteenth pole to the wire.

Java's War is obviously a very talented horse, no doubt about it, and looking at his past performances, with continued good health, I think Java’s War―next year as a four year old, will be a force to be reckoned with on the turf. As for this years Kentucky Derby, with a big field, anything can happen, although Java’s Wars worst race did come over the Churchill Downs surface.

On the “Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure” front, there have been more good reviews and I am thrilled about what people are saying. Here is the link, if you want to take a look.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482679248  

Take care and thank you for reading my posts,

Shelley Riley

Goldenscents and Rick Pitino

April 11, 2013

Dear Readers,

     Time is ticking down to the Kentucky Derby and I still can’t pick my favorite. Since I was watching the Santa Anita Derby and saw the impressive performance put in by Goldencents. I naturally felt the need to tune in for the 2013 NCAA Men’s division 1 Basketball Championship.

Coached by Rick Pitino partial owner of Goldencents, it was even more exciting to watch the University of Louisville Cardinals win the Championship. Talk about golden, if Goldencents should win the Kentucky Derby for his team of owners, perhaps we should add Midas to Rick’s name.

As regards Goldencents, chart lovers have got to be in love, particularly with only one head scratching result. Since that race, Goldencents has left very little doubt he should be one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby. Keep in mind with the kind of speed Goldencents has shown, he should be able to keep himself in contention, while leaving the tumult of a large field behind. I am looking forward to following this colts training and hope he likes the Churchill downs surface as much as Casual Lies did.

On the memoir front, some great reviews coming in. I am chuffed, to say the least, to touch people emotionally, while entertaining them is a great reward for all the hard work. I will start sharing portions of these reviews with you on the blog, so keep a look out. Or you can go to Amazon and read them yourself. For your convenience here is the link to “Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure.”  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482679248   

Take care,

Shelley Riley

April 5, 2013

What a great field for tomorrows Santa Anita Derby, so exciting for those who own and train these terrific horses. I recall the build up to this important race and how it gains momentum with each day that passes, including the actual race day when it arrives.

On Santa Anita Derby Day in 1992, and as I waited to saddle Casual Lies, I clearly recall a particularly strident voice calling my name over the sound of all the others. This voice seemed to be originating from high above my head. I looked around and followed the sound to its source, which was over my shoulder and definitely up, way up!

Much to my astonishment, my eyes landed on a very athletic― if foolish― racing fan, who had managed to shimmy up the light standard, and was now perched precariously atop its shade. Waving enthusiastically in my direction with one arm, he was barely able to maintain his balance on the slippery surface with the other hand.

Needless to say Southern California racing fans gave us a very warm welcome and the party atmosphere Santa Anita provided for the occasion was equally as impressive.

Good Luck to everybody tomorrow, for my part I just can’t pick a favorite.

Take care,

Shelley Riley   

April 3, 2013 

The Santa Anita Derby plays a critical role in Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure. This was the race that most influenced my decision on whether or not Casual Lies should compete in the Kentucky Derby. Two chapters in Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure cover the Santa Anita Derby, the significance of the race, and the people who encouraged me, directly or indirectly, to run Casual Lies in the Santa Anita Derby and later the Kentucky Derby.

The inimitable and legendary trainer Charlie Whittingham, with his dry wit and sparkling good humor, befriended me before the Santa Anita Derby and offered oblique advice, which I managed to decipher, on the crucial decisions I needed to make for Casual Lies' career. In my memoir, I share his advice and moments of kindness during our time at Santa Anita and beyond.

It has been a long, long road, but twenty-one years after Casual Lies competed in the Santa Anita Derby, I am proud to announce that the memoir Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure is now available on Amazon. I am attaching the links so you can view the book and read some of the excerpts, both for paperback and the Kindle edition. I am still working on getting the Nook edition available.

 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482679248    for the Paperback.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C63SVBE    for the Kindle edition.

As always feel free to contact me.

Take care,

Shelley Riley