– Jockey Patrick Valenzuela’s first attempt at an eBay ad deal is finished. Offshore casino Betcris.com bought space on the rider’s pants and collar for $15,000 in an auction concluded last week. Unfortunately for P Val, the Santa Anita stewards told him he couldn’t wear the ads. Valenzuela says he wasn’t disappointed by the decision. “I decided against (continuing the contract with Betcris.com) … It’s not in the best interests of racing. I’ll just put myself back up on eBay and find another sponsor” (BH) …. And so he has. The opening bid is $10,000.
– Ghostzapper’s 2005 debut will be delayed. The 2004 Horse of the Year won’t make the Oaklawn Handicap on April 9 as planned after coming down with an illness. (TT)
– The UK’s leading female jockey calls it quits. Alex Greaves announced her retirement on Wednesday. “I’ve had a real ball. I didn’t really want to finish … but deep down I know the time has come.” Greaves rode approximately 300 winners and was the first woman to ride in the Epsom Derby. (Guar.)
– The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s winter newsletter reports that the organization is now caring for a record 903 horses, almost 300 more than it was at the start of 2004. The TRF estimates that it will need to raise an additional $1 million this year to cover the cost of caring for the newly retired horses it’s taken in. To donate.
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com
Posted by JC in Miscellany on 03/31/2005 @ 10:20 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter
That’s what racing faces in 2005, reports Bill Christine, in a lengthy article that recounts the woes of NYRA, Magna, and Churchill Downs in recent months. Federal investigations, operating losses, and tussles with the Jockeys’ Guild all made 2004 difficult for the three organizations that own some of the best tracks in the United States, and there’s no sign that the problems will go away this year, weakening the entire industry: “Racing, racked by empty seats and competition from other forms of gambling, is struggling because its strongest links are not that strong.” (LA Times)
Posted by JC in The Sport on 03/29/2005 @ 9:25 am / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Notes while watching the Rushaway and Lane’s End Stakes on ESPN:
Oh, that’s bad. Commentator Randy Moss just called Proud Accolade “The Shamardal of the Rushaway.” Maybe badly beaten favorite Proud Accolade didn’t like Turfway’s muddy track. Shamardal doesn’t have such a convenient excuse — Sheikh Mohammed’s Great Derby Hope was beaten by 46 lengths in the UAE Derby earlier today.
Rushaway winner Cat Shaker pays 79.80 to win. He’s not a Triple Crown nominee — yet. The word from his euphoric owner is that he’ll put up the $6,000 late nomination fee now.
Gary Stevens says he’ll be riding Spanish Chestnut a little differently in the Lane’s End than he did in the Santa Catalina — “I’ll do more of a Winning Colors ride,” he says, elaborating that he plans to make a move earlier in this race than he did in the colt’s last race. Interesting to see how that works out.
Very even odds. Only Diamond Isle is out there, at 17-1.
Obligatory David Cassidy mention (he’s the owner of Mayan King, who’s won two starts at Aqueduct this winter). Horseracing really needs to bring in some more current celebrities. Let’s get J. Lo. a racehorse.
Spanish Chestnut is at the front, as expected, followed by Flower Alley. Magna Graduate moves up. Texcess not too far behind. Wild Desert trails the field. Into the stretch, big moves: Flower Alley comes up to win and Wild Desert shows up to finish second. Wow. Spanish Chestnut was empty in the final furlongs, which doesn’t surprise. He ran just as he has in his last four starts. Leaps to first at the start, tries to hang on to the lead all through, ends up vulnerable to stalkers and closers. He moved too early. A shame.
Trainer Todd Pletcher says Flower Alley might go to the Arkansas Derby or the Lexington Stakes next. I missed what Jeanine Edwards was just saying — someone is out of the Bluegrass. Spanish Chestnut, perhaps? Or Andromeda’s Hero — where was Andromeda’s Hero? I think the Nick Zito Five is now the Nick Zito Four.
Posted by JC in Racing on 03/26/2005 @ 4:50 pm / Tagged Kentucky Derby / Follow @railbird on Twitter
