Noted: December 18
– In the Derby Watch: Brother Derek wins the Hollywood Futurity; Bally’s posts Derby Futures.
– Funny Cide preps for a 2006 campaign at Gulfstream. Sidelined for half of 2005 with an achy back, the gelding returned to the track on Friday, working five furlongs in :58.2 handily. Trainer Barclay Tagg suggested Funny Cide could start next in the January 7 Mr. Prospector Stakes and then the February 4 Donn Handicap, which may also be the next start of Andromeda’s Hero, winner of Saturday’s Hooper at Calder.
– Film Maker wins the La Prevoyante. The five-year-old mare trained by Graham Motion beat runner-up Kate Winslet by three and a half lengths in the race.
– NYRA president Charles Hayward said on Friday that “the clock is ticking” toward the day NYRA goes broke. “I’ve said all along we’re going to run out of money by the end of the year.” Hayward is planning to take NYRA into bankruptcy, if necessary, rather than shut down racing.
– Massachusetts racetracks prepare for layoffs as the squabbling continues over simulcasting legislation.
