The Daily Racing Form reports that the Jockeys’ Guild has begun an investigation into the credentials of its president, Dr. Wayne Gertmenian, as well the payments made by the Guild to Gertmenian’s consulting company, Matrix Capital Associates. “We want to make sure we can answer all the questions that our members have,” said Guild treasurer Jeff Johnston.
Related commentary from Ray Paulick: “Wayne Gertmenian, the president and CEO of the Jockeys’ Guild, is a bully who finally met his match in the halls of Congress.”
Posted by JC in Jockeys' Insurance on 10/27/2005 @ 6:55 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Suffolk Downs jockey Michel Lapensee is in a coma. The 58-year-old rider sustained serious injuries when his mount in Monday’s ninth race, Mecke’s Money, broke down on the far turn. He was immediately transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for surgery and is listed in critical condition with head and spinal cord injuries. Mecke’s Money, a six-year-old gelding, suffered a compound fracture of his left cannon bone and was euthanized. This is the second time this meet Lapensee has had the misfortune of an accident. In a similar incident in May, Lapensee’s mount Explorationist also broke down on the far turn, throwing the rider, who escaped injury then.
Posted by JC in Suffolk Downs on 10/25/2005 @ 9:30 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Hurricane Wilma is working its way up the East Coast, drenching New York and New England this morning. Everything is supposed to clear up on Thursday, and Saturday should be partly sunny, with only a 40% chance of rain. Even if not another drop falls until after the Breeders’ Cup, the Belmont turf is sure to be soft, which is another reason for me to leave the three grass races to others.
As for the dirt, reader Victoria emailed to say she was “handicapping with an eye toward mud” and I think she’s probably right in doing that. If the rain does go away on Thursday, the main track should be fast on Saturday. It’d be folly to count on that, though. So, who are the off-track standouts? One that really popped out at me in going over the Daily Racing Form Breeders’ Cup preview is Capeside Lady (30-1 morning line) in the Distaff. Trainer Todd Pletcher is understandably talking up stablemate Ashado, who will be retired after the BC and is the likely Distaff favorite. On a fast track, Capeside Lady isn’t likely to upset. On an off-track, she could win at a big price. Some of her most impressive performances and biggest Beyers — which equal Ashado’s — have come on muddy surfaces. She’s definitely one to consider if the conditions are right.
Posted by JC in Breeders' Cup on 10/25/2005 @ 7:50 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter
