Railbird 2004–2019

Archive for 2008

That’s Obvious

Michael Iavarone, on deciding to run Big Brown in an ungraded turf stakes at Monmouth next month, as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic:

Aside: Cake is fine for dessert, but lousy for the sport …
Big Brown breezed four furlongs in :50.20 over the Aqueduct main track this morning, his first work since winning the Haskell three weeks ago.
On Thursday, during an OTB channel appearance, Iavarone (an LATG reader?) proposed a match race between Curlin and the colt at Churchill Downs on November 29 for a winner take all $2 million purse. Explaining why he’d come around to the idea, Iavarone blustered,

Good to see the competitive fire still burns somewhere, even if racing fans will never see it expressed on track between these two supremely talented animals.

Posted in Saratoga on August 22, 2008

Schooling

Curlin (left) and Pyro (right) school in the paddock Thursday.
Along with stablemates Pyro and J Be K, Curlin schooled in the paddock this afternoon before the third in preparation for the Woodward and the most notable aspects of the scene had to do with the people gathered to see the Horse of the Year, who was a vision of glowing copper in the sunshine and perfectly behaved. NYRA security guards were slow to close the horsepath to walking traffic, causing several in the crowd to call out at the sight of the big chestnut bearing down on backyard denizens cluelessly crossing in his way — “That’s not some random 2-year-old,” said one exasperated observer — but the couple camera crews and dozen photographers in the paddock, along with assorted media and NYRA employees, also found their excitement intruding on sense, occasionally getting too close while following Curlin’s every move, earning stern rebukes from an official and bemused looks from the grooms and assistants in attendance. (The horse himself did little more than prick his ears, seemingly undisturbed by the fuss.) Much of the schooling session passed in the saddling stalls, where all three stood quietly before being led out to circle the trees and returning to the barn.

Posted in Saratoga on August 21, 2008

Meanwhile, Out West

– The new Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita is nearing completion and almost ready to test, reports Blood-Horse, and president Ron Charles is (surprise, surprise) feeling positive. “I couldn’t be more optimistic,” said Charles. “Time will tell.” Anything has to be better than the disastrous Cushion Track installation that led to several lost race days last winter when the surface couldn’t drain following heavy rain, a situation for which Santa Anita is suing Cushion Track and affiliates for at least $8.4 million in damages. The defendants filed motions earlier this week seeking dismissal of the lawsuit for a variety of legal reasons:

Reading that adds some credence to NYRA president Charlie Hayward’s concerns about the thinly-capitalized start-up companies currently selling synthetics, expressed during last month’s forum on all weather surfaces …
– Magnificience worked four furlongs in :46.40 at Del Mar on Wednesday in preparation for the G2 Rancho Bernardo, in which the 4-year-old filly will attempt to redeem her first career loss, suffered in June when she finished second in the A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood. “We got killed with that start,” said assistant trainer Karen Headley. “Hopefully, she comes back.” Sunday will be a big day for the Headleys, win or lose, as the barn is also starting Surf Cat in the Pacific Classic and Arson Squad in the Pat O’Brien. “We’re going into this with high hopes,” said Headley, “[but] by 6 o’clock that night some could be shot down” (Daily Bulletin).
– “The rumor is true,” the NTRA has created a marketing task force comprising a dozen “superfans” and horseplayers (including me) and given us the assignment of developing a plan “to market the sport to a new generation of fans“; a few of the task force members will be going to Vegas to present at the NTRA Marketing Summit next month. Discussion has so far been lively and many ideas have been thrown out to the group, but more are welcome, from everyone. [8/22 Update: There’s a particularly interesting comment thread over on Green but Game, including takeout, racetrack attendance, and fun things to do with technology.]

Posted in Santa Anita on August 21, 2008

Travers Day Entries

… are up, and it’s a crackerjack 12-race card, with four graded stakes and only two state-bred events. Not to knock New York horses. Much conversation this evening at the Belmont Child Care Association Western Round-Up was about undefeated Finger Lakes gelding Tin Cup Chalice, winner of the Big Apple Triple Crown Challenge and a bonus of $250,000 when he gamely hung on by a head to capture the Albany Stakes this afternoon. Tin Cup Chalice went wire-to-wire, running the final eighth in :12.19 (and the final third in :36 flat) after a first half in :50.88 (not the sort of fractions usually seen on dirt), paying $6.70. Someone who saw the horse up close in the winner’s circle reported his eyes were bloodshot, claiming that was a sign he truly did run his heart out; his determination is obvious enough watching the replay (CalRacing). Conventionally classier, and favored in the wagering, Big Truck (Tampa Bay Derby) and Icadad Crane (Tesio Stakes) finished third and sixth.
As for the benefit, it was the sort of evening that passed pleasantly in a haze of agreeable company and drinking. There was a line dancing lesson (in which I did not take part part), Eugene Melnyk and Leona and John Velazquez made lovely speeches honoring Tracy and Todd Pletcher for their support of the organization, and D. Wayne Lukas did an admirable job of auctioneering after dinner. Teresa was assiduously taking notes while I was fooling around with Twitter and chatting about Travers Week parties and Dubai with Mrs. Albertrani; for a full and detailed report of the event, best check Brooklyn Backstretch in the morning.
Back to the Travers: Turns out Tizbig, 30-1 on the Travers morning line wheeling back off six days rest, may not have been such a surprise when entries were drawn Wednesday (although Amped, third in the Walton, more than 12 lengths behind Mambo in Seattle, certainly remains one). Trainer Allen Jerkens and assistant were reportedly talking midsummer Derby last Sunday even as the chestnut colt cooled out from his second place finish to impressive Numaany in a nine furlong allowance. With no stars and no standouts in the 12-horse field (Pyro, in post 11, is the 7-2 morning line favorite, while Jim Dandy winner Macho Again is listed at 6-1), it’s easy to see how a veteran orchestrator of upsets would be tempted to take a shot with a 3-year-old obviously fit and possessing some speed …

Posted in Saratoga on August 20, 2008

A Stand-Up Guy

That’s how agent Jeff Smith remembers rider Parker Buckley, who died Tuesday afternoon following a training accident, to the Saratogian:

A former jockey with 947 wins and more than $9.2 million in earnings, Buckley, 40, was an exercise rider for trainer Steve Asmussen; Pyro was one of the horses he regularly rode. On Monday, while galloping a horse over Oklahoma, Buckley was thrown, or fell, from his mount. Accident details are sketchy. “I’ve heard all kinds of versions,” said Asmussen, who declined to name the horse involved. What’s not uncertain is that the respected Buckley will be missed. “Parker was very passionate about his job,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi. “He was a talented horseman.”

Posted in Saratoga on August 19, 2008