If Suffolk Downs were to close permanently, the losses would go beyond jobs and open space:
Suffolk’s open tradition is not limited to jockeys. There are more women trainers at Suffolk Downs than at any other track — about 40 according to an informal count done last summer. Many of the grooms are women. The track vet is a woman. The board chair is a woman — Patricia Moseley. There are only two women stewards in the country and one, Susan Walsh, is at Suffolk Downs. Beyond these are women who work as pony riders, walkers, tellers and in many other posts … Suffolk’s demise would destroy what has been a steady force for the equality of women in the workplace. Solely as a topic that concerns working women, and one with national implications, the survival of Suffolk Downs deserves care and attention.
Posted by JC in Suffolk Downs on 04/26/2006 @ 9:00 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
– Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Shirocco returns to the races on May 7 in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. Trainer Andre Fabre plans another international campaign for the five-year-old, including the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on June 2.
– Declan’s Moon worked today for the first time since last summer. The 2004 juvenile champion worked three furlongs handily in :37.8 at Hollywood Park this morning. An early favorite for last year’s Kentucky Derby, Declan’s Moon was sidelined with a chipped knee after winning the Santa Catalina Stakes. He returned to training in August, but suffered another injury that kept him out of training until last month, when he began galloping over the Hollywood training track.
– Santa Anita closed on Sunday with big gains in attendance and handle. Gulfstream closed the same day, and while the track wouldn’t disclose specific numbers, handle was reported to be up, attendance down (which is no surprise). President Scott Savin said the track would make some changes before next year, such as the stakes schedule. “We want to have a better progression of distances,” said Savin. “Maybe the Holy Bull will be run at a mile and the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby are run at 1 1/8 mile.”
Posted by JC in News on 04/25/2006 @ 8:30 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
– Lost in the Fog finished second to Carthage in the Golden Gate Fields Sprint. “You just have to tip your hat to [Carthage],” said Greg Gilchrist, who trains Lost in the Fog. “You have to give him a lot of credit because he ran a helluva race.” The race was Lost in the Fog’s first start since finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last October. “I wish we could have won it,” said jockey Russell Baze, “but at least we got a race into him.”
– Magnolia Jackson recovered well from a bobbled start to win the Bed o’Roses Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Aqueduct. “What a gritty filly she is,” said trainer Gary Contessa. “Maybe now she’ll get a little respect.” Champion filly Smuggler finished fifth in the race, her first start since winning the Coaching Club Oaks last July. “It was good to get her back going,” said trainer Shug McGaughey.
– The old guy does it again: Proven Cure won the Littlebitlively Stakes at Lone Star Park on Saturday. “This horse amazes me,” said trainer John Locke of the 12-year-old gelding. “There were some very fast horses in there, and he seemed to win easily. He’s just amazing.”
– Proven Cure isn’t the only racetrack veteran to score a victory recently. Stormy Do, a 13-year-old gelding, won his 15th race since turning 10 on Monday at Philadelphia Park. “I don’t know he keeps doing it,” said trainer Jayne Vaders. “I imagine it’s just because he has a big heart.”
– In only his third career start and his first try around two turns, Showing Up won the Lexington Stakes, earning enough for a Kentucky Derby berth.
Posted by JC in Races/Results on 04/23/2006 @ 11:15 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
