Railbird 2004–2019

Archive for 2004

Headlines: December 16

– Futurity championship battle (DRF)
– Suffolk horses fill Maryland races (BH)
– Velazquez to ride Afleet Alex (PDN)
– I need lessons, says Fallon (Guar.)
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Posted in Miscellany on December 16, 2004

Developing

New York state police and the state’s Organized Crime task Force raided offices at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga late this afternoon. State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer refused to comment on the search, “but a key investigator who has probed NYRA for much of the past three years said the search is a major inquiry with substantial ramifications in the racing industry.” (Times Union)

Posted in NY Racing Issues on December 15, 2004

Union Drive Comes to Naught

“Known as the Fox, [Diego] Sotelo assumed the role of labor agitator in an industry historically unwelcoming to unions. At Santa Anita Park, about 15 miles east of Los Angeles, he threatened a strike by the stable hands — the grooms, hot walkers and exercise riders, known as backstretch workers and hired by the trainers — just before the racing season resumes the morning after Christmas.
“Backstretch workers in California have lived in such squalor that the state, embarrassed by newspaper reports, passed a battery of laws three years ago guaranteeing minimum pay and living standards in an industry to which they did not apply.
“Mr. Sotelo says little has changed.” Unfortunately for him, and California backstretch workers, track security guards put an end to Mr. Sotelo’s union organizing efforts and he has been banned from Santa Anita. (New York Times)

Posted in Track Notes on December 15, 2004

Headlines: December 15

– Watchmaker: Early look at Derby (MSNBC)
– Pownal track leaves legacy (NAT)
– Sellers announces retirement (BH)
– MD commissioner told to quit (WP)
– Laurel may reopen Jan. 22 (Sun)
– Fallon disrepute hearing dropped (BBC)
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Posted in Miscellany on December 15, 2004

Readings: Conley

“After one of Slew’s three losses, his jockey, Jean Cruguet, bitched to the press about him: ‘I told those people he wasn’t ready for the race after beating four bums going seven furlongs. I told them he wouldn’t beat Dr. Patches.’ Cruguet never rode Slew again.
“The jockey who replaced him, Angel Cordero, had been begging for the ride for nearly two years, ever since Slew beat his horse, For the Moment, in the Champagne Stakes. Cordero and his mounts had lost to Slew on many occasions, so he was familiar with Slew’s intimidating style, the way he stared down not just the horse but the rider as well. Cordero, who was not beyond using intimidation tactics himself, couldn’t help admiring this cold and level eye. He told a reporter that as Slew pulled away from him in the Kentucky Derby, he said, ‘Goodbye, Soul Brother.’

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Posted in Readings on December 14, 2004