“The tipsheet salesmen and their colorful wares are among the first images greeting a visitor to Saratoga, about 175 miles north of New York City, and are a reminder of horse racing’s roots, when tracks featured a carnival-like atmosphere redolent of state fairs.” The sheets are more than just local color though: “For those who visit Saratoga for a leisurely day at the races, the tipsheets cut through the dizzying data consumed by handicappers. And some days somebody else’s picks pay off handsomely. As the racetrack saying goes, even a blind squirrel sometimes finds a nut.” (New York Times)
Posted by JC in Handicapping on 08/15/2004 @ 12:20 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
A Daily Racing Form inquiry into the 2002 Breeder’s Cup Pick 6 scandal “shows that Catskill routinely and consistently evaded state law by failing to send many statutorily required documents to the [New York State Racing and Wagering] board.” The situation isn’t much better now: “Even today, the relationship between Catskill and the board is hardly based on the letter of the law,” reports Matt Hegarty in this lengthy investigative article in the DRF.
Posted by JC in Betting on 08/15/2004 @ 12:15 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
There’ll be no rematch of budding rivals My Snookie’s Boy and Lion Heart in the Travers: “The son of Crafty Friend will have to wait before facing [Lion Heart] again, however, as trainer Allen Iwinski said he would most likely not send My Snookie’s Boy to the $1-million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on August 28, opting instead for the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (G2) at Philadelphia Park on September 6.” (Thoroughbred Times)
Posted by JC in Races/Results on 08/15/2004 @ 12:10 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
More than 10,000 fans gather at Philadelphia Park to see him off. (Bucks County Courier Times)
Posted by JC in Horses on 08/15/2004 @ 12:05 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
