Noted: December 16
– Kieren Fallon will ride at Santa Anita this winter, said the new agent for the English six-time champion jockey. Or he won’t. “I was looking forward to going, but I’ve had second thoughts,” said Fallon.
– Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo worked an easy half-mile at Hollywood Park on Thursday, “but appeared eager to do much more.” He’s expected to make his first start since the Belmont sometime in January.
– New York officials denied trainer Todd Pletcher’s appeal of a 45-day suspension and $3,000 fine for a medication positive in one of his horses last year. Pletcher plans to appeal again, in court. “At this point, we’re planning on appealing,” Pletcher said. “We really don’t have any idea how the horse came up positive. Other than that, my attorneys have asked me not to comment.”
– The Jockeys’ Guild claims that “its proposed slate of directors for the Disabled Jockeys’ Endowment was rejected, and that associates of former president Dr. Wayne Gertmenian were named to oversee the fund.” The Thoroughbred Times reports that Gertmenian remains on the Endowment’s board of directors, along with former Guild vice president Albert Fiss and lawyer Lloyd Ownbey. In a press release sent on Thursday, the Guild suggested that anyone interested in donating to the Endowment give to alternate charities for disabled riders.
