JC / Railbird

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

Signs of Life for Mass. Slots

The support of Boston mayor Thomas Menino for slot machines at state racetracks is bringing the issue back to life on Beacon Hill. No sign of a bill yet, though. Slots legislation was last introduced in 2003, when a bill legalizing slots came within 17 votes of passage. (Daily Item of Lynn)

Posted by JC in State Issues on 05/27/2005 @ 6:40 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter

– Trainer Joe Woodward wins nine straight at Churchill Downs, setting a new track record for consecutive wins. He tied the previous record of eight, set in 1997, in a claiming race with a horse named Native Bull, setting another record in the process — most claims entered for a horse — when 28 valid claims were made for Native Bull, who was dropping dramatically in class. (CJ)
– A quarantine is in place at Delaware Park after strangles is discovered. NYRA has put on temporary ban on horses shipping in from the state. Fortunately for trainer Rob Bailes, the ban won’t affect Preakness runner up Scrappy T, who was moved to Bailes’ Maryland barn the day before the outbreak was found. Scrappy T may start in the Belmont. (NYDN)
– NYRA missed a $4.4 million payment to the mutuel clerks’ pension fund in January. Vice president Bill Nader called the problem a “cash-flow issue.” (TT)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted by JC in Miscellany on 05/27/2005 @ 6:35 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter

Afleet Alex, Giacomo Exercise

Afleet Alex went out for a two mile jog on Wednesday, in his first trip to the track since winning the Preakness last Saturday. “He was a touch stiff the first mile, which was to be expected,” said trainer Tim Ritchey. “But by the time he was jogging the second mile, his ears were up and he was jogging forward and striding right out.” (Thoroughbred Times)
Derby winner Giacomo jogged Wednesday at Hollywood Park. Trainer John Shirreffs still isn’t saying whether or not Giacomo will race in the Belmont. “It’s hard to say whether he will run. We just got him home. He’s got to ship all the way across the country to get there.” (Blood-Horse)

Posted by JC in Triple Crown on 05/26/2005 @ 7:15 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter

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Signs of Life for Mass. Slots

Headlines: May 27

Afleet Alex, Giacomo Exercise