Headlines: March 31
– Jockey Patrick Valenzuela’s first attempt at an eBay ad deal is finished. Offshore casino Betcris.com bought space on the rider’s pants and collar for $15,000 in an auction concluded last week. Unfortunately for P Val, the Santa Anita stewards told him he couldn’t wear the ads. Valenzuela says he wasn’t disappointed by the decision. “I decided against (continuing the contract with Betcris.com) … It’s not in the best interests of racing. I’ll just put myself back up on eBay and find another sponsor” (BH) …. And so he has. The opening bid is $10,000.
– Ghostzapper’s 2005 debut will be delayed. The 2004 Horse of the Year won’t make the Oaklawn Handicap on April 9 as planned after coming down with an illness. (TT)
– The UK’s leading female jockey calls it quits. Alex Greaves announced her retirement on Wednesday. “I’ve had a real ball. I didn’t really want to finish … but deep down I know the time has come.” Greaves rode approximately 300 winners and was the first woman to ride in the Epsom Derby. (Guar.)
– The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s winter newsletter reports that the organization is now caring for a record 903 horses, almost 300 more than it was at the start of 2004. The TRF estimates that it will need to raise an additional $1 million this year to cover the cost of caring for the newly retired horses it’s taken in. To donate.
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com
