OFF TO THE RACES WITH MARIO PINO

Jockey Mario Pino will be our guest on "Off to the Races" at Colonial Downs.  Pino won the riding title at Colonial Downs from 1999 to 2001, filling a void left behind by his predecessor Edgar Prado.  Then in 2002, when down by nearly double in total wins behind a newcomer nicknamed "Special K", Pino won 7 races in one day at Colonial Downs, ironically on July 7th.  Next Sunday on July 8th, Pino returns to New Kent as Colonial Downs recognizes its 15th anniversary of live racing.  Among those Pino captained are two time Bailes winner Native Heir; Buckland and Somethingroyal winner All That Glitters; and Brookmeade winner Misty Sixes.  With a racing career that began during the Carter administration, Pino currently keeps his locker at Presque Isle Downs looking to climb to over 6,500 wins for in his career.  In 2006 after winning the Miracle Wood at Laurel, Pino was diverted off of Sweetnorthernsaint prior to his Kentucky Derby start.  The following year Pino got his Derby assignment with Hard Spun who finished second in the 2007 Run for the Roses behind Street Sense.  Two weeks later in the Preakness, Hard Spun ran third.

"Off to the Races" airs Friday evening at 6:00 pm on ESPN AM 950 in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.espn950am.com.  The weekly radio show is hosted by Nick Hahn and "Derby" Bill Watson.