Railbird 2004–2019

Archive for 2004

More on HOTY

And all the other Eclipse awards: Bill Christine makes a convincing case for Ghostzapper (LA Times), and Steven Crist shows off his ballot. (Daily Racing Form).

Posted in HOF/Awards on December 24, 2004

Azeri Retired

“Azeri, the world’s all-time leading money-earning female, has been retired from racing. Michael Paulson, who heads his father’s Allen Paulson Living Trust that raced Azeri, made the decision to retire the 6-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter rather than race her a few more times, as was under consideration. ‘In some sense I’m sad, but in another (sense) I can’t be,’ said Paulson. ‘She had a remarkable career and we’re very proud of her.'” (Blood-Horse)

Posted in Horses on December 23, 2004

Awards You Won’t See

But should:
“I Forgot My Parachute Before I Jumped Award: To Tim Smith, who resigned as commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association ostensibly to take the top job at the New York Racing Association, only to back out of consideration for that post before ever taking it.
“The Bald — And We Do Mean Bald — Faced Lie Award: To Pat Valenzuela, who shaved off all the hair from his head, chest, armpits, and pubic area, and therefore could not supply hair-follicle samples as required for his mandatory drug testing, while maintaining his innocence because he had not been given any notice on the required length of hair needed for the test.
“If This Is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, I Must Be In the Winner’s Circle Award: To Steve Asmussen, who set a single-season record for winners for a trainer, with 536 and counting through December 14, surpassing the previous record of 496 set by Jack Van Berg in 1976.” (Thoroughbred Times)

Posted in Miscellany on December 23, 2004

OTB Future Looks Dire

The New York City OTB is considering “several doomsday plans” to halt the flow of red ink, including closing up to half of its betting parlors, merging with other betting outfits, and laying off employees. “Records show that OTB turned a profit of $123 million last year but still ended up $9.5 million in the hole, after NYRA and others in the state racing industry took $95 million, the state and city took $35 million, and more than $2 million was spent on miscellaneous expenses.” (New York Daily News)

Posted in Betting on December 23, 2004

Pack the Minivan

Grab the kiddies, and head to Aqueduct. “If ever a time existed for this lowly, seedy, you’ll-lose-your-family’s-mortgage industry to take action, it’s now. In case you missed the memo: Pop culture digs the unseemly.” (ESPN)

Posted in The Sport on December 22, 2004