JC / Railbird - Thoroughbred racing news and notes

I met Marc Subia today and he told me the story of his amazing autograph jacket. "It's my most prized possession." Marc started coming to Del Mar with his dad in the 1970s. It's his home track. And he's been collecting jockey autographs for decades ...

Grand Jete keeping an eye on me as I take a picture of Rushing Fall's #BC17 garland. #thoroughbred #horseracing #delmar

Another #treasurefromthearchive — this UPI collage for Secretariat vs. Sham. #inthearchives #thoroughbred #horseracing

Thanks, Arlington. Let's do this again next year. #Million35

That's a helmet. #BC16 #thoroughbred #horseracing #jockeys

Lady Eli on the muscle. #BC16 @santaanitapark #breederscup #thoroughbred #horseracing

Belmont Loves the Ladies

Rags to Riches and Curlin at the wire in the Belmont Stakes. Photo Adam Coglianese/NYRA.
Superfilly Rags to Riches is scheduled to work Monday morning at Belmont in preparation for her start in the Coaching Club America Oaks next Saturday, which will likely draw a short field despite the 23 nominations the race attracted since few trainers are eager to test their fillies against the Belmont winner. For Rags to Riches’ first race since her historic victory, NYRA is offering free admission to women on Saturday and ESPN is bumping the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar to show the Oaks. “Rags to Riches is a story,” explained ESPN producer David Miller (DRF). The San Diego will air live on TVG instead, to the disappointment of Del Mar officials (North County Times, hat tip to LATG).

Posted by JC in Horses on 07/15/2007 @ 8:00 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter

Funny Cide Retired

“We decided that after the great fun and excitement of watching Funny Cide win the Wadsworth Memorial at Finger Lakes at the age of 7, it would be a good note on which to retire the horse,” said trainer Barclay Tagg (Blood-Horse). Funny Cide goes out a winner, sound and happy; he’ll remain at the track for now, and begin retirement as a stable pony in Tagg’s barn. As for what’s next for the Derby winner, I second Valerie’s idea to make him racing’s equine ambassador.
From Youtube: Funny Cide’s 2003 Kentucky Derby and 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup victories …

Posted by JC in Horses on 07/13/2007 @ 10:00 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter

Green Monkey Nears Debut

The world’s most expensive racehorse points toward a Saratoga maiden special weight debut. Trainer Todd Pletcher makes no promises about how the $16 million colt’s first race might go: “I will do everything I can to have him as ready as I can first time out, and sometimes you can only do so much” (NY Times).

Posted by JC in Horses on 07/13/2007 @ 9:45 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter

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