Lo Duca hired as racing analyst
Former MLB All-Star replaces Migliore on broadcast for Spa meet
ELMONT, N.Y. » The first big move of the MLB All-Star break was for a former ballplayer.
The New York Racing Association announced the hiring of veteran horse racing analyst and former MLB All-Star Paul Lo Duca Monday. The Brooklyn-native will make his “Saratoga Live” debut on opening day of the 2017 meet at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, July 21.
Lo Duca will replace retired jockey Richard Migliore, who announced in June that Belmont’s Stars and Stripes Day would be his final day as NYRA’s racing analyst.
“As a native New Yorker, and lifelong racing fan, I’m honored to join the talented broadcast team doing such great work on Saratoga Live,” Lo Duca said. “NYRA is producing the most innovative television coverage in the sport and I’m excited to become a part of it.”
Lo Duca will serve as an analyst on NYRA’s Saratoga Live program, joining a broadcast team that includes host Greg Wolf, handicapper Andy Serling, paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale, trainer Tom Amoss, and analyst Gabby Gaudet.
“Paul is one of the most dynamic and captivating personalities in racing. As a former Major League All Star he brings an athlete’s perspective to the show,” Tony Allevato, President of NYRA Bets and Executive Producer of NYRA TV, said. “We are thrilled to have him join the Saratoga Live team.”
Before joining TVG in 2009, Lo Duca played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1998-2008, earning four All Star selections for three different franchises from 2003-06 as a catcher. Lo Duca played college ball for Arizona State University, where he was drafted in 1993 by the Dodgers. He played parts of his first seven big-league seasons with the Dodgers before being traded to the Marlins in the middle of the 2004 campaign. Lo Duca was then traded to the Mets, where he backstopped the club to a 97win regular season and an appearance in the National League Championship Series. He concluded his career with the Washington Nationals in 2008.
Saratoga Live, presented by Claiborne Farm, will be available on Fox Sports 2 and regionally through MSG+, Fox Sports Prime Ticket, Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Sports Ohio and the Altitude Sports Network.
NYRA notes
Chad Brown’s trio Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks runners exited their 1-2-3 finish in good order, their trainer said Sunday morning.
Reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner New Money Honey and European imports Sister charlie and Uni, all separated by little more than 1 ¾ lengths under the wire, offered Brown a remarkable trifecta finish in Saturday’s Stars & Stripes cofeature.
“That was a rare feat,” said Brown. “We’re really happy. All three horses ran well. It’s unfortunate that
any of them really had to lose, they all ran winning races. I was proud of their efforts, and so far, everyone seems to be in good shape.”
Brown said targets for Five Racing’s New Money Honey and Uni, owned in partnership by Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners, Haras d’Etreham and Bethlehem Stables, will be determined in the near future, adding that Peter Brant’s Sistercharlie, who arrived from France on July 1, will have an easy summer with plans to gear up for a fall campaign.
“I’ve only had her a week but I’ve been impressed,” Brown said of the Irishbred filly by Myboycharlie. “She was sent to me in good condition. She ran her heart out yesterday from a difficult post, on short rest, and without a ton of pace to run into. She had missed a little bit of training because of quarantine and she nearly got it done. She won’t be running this summer, I don’t believe, but she’s a really exciting horse for the future.”