JC / Railbird

USA Today calls being a horse groom the worst job in sports. I don’t know about that — it sounds like being a team mascot or a urine collector is far more onerous.

“The roiling sea of humanity that turns the Preakness Stakes infield into one of the biggest beer bashes in the country will be joined by upscale patrons at Pimlico Race Course this year.
“Taking a cue from other professional sports that increasingly cater to the wealthy, Magna Entertainment, which operates Pimlico, will offer new corporate packages, sponsorships and ticketing that emphasize luxury and exclusivity for the May 21 race. ‘Like a lot of other professional sports, we see an opportunity to up-sell,’ said Jim Gagliano, Magna’s executive vice president of Maryland racing operations. ‘This is the Super Bowl of racing in this region. We’re trying really hard to create opportunities for people to move into more comfortable settings.’
“Gagliano said revelers on the 35-acre infield will have virtually the same amount of space as in the past but they will lose most of their prime view of the homestretch for the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown. They can see the horses go around on the back side of the track but will watch the finish on scoreboard screens.” (Washington Post)
Related: Gary West pens an open letter to Magna chief Frank Stronach. “Can you lead this sport, and do you and your minions have any idea how to run a racetrack?” (Star-Telegram)

– Rockport Harbor worked seven furlongs in 1:27 at Oaklawn on Friday. His foot is fine, says trainer John Servis. (DRF)
– “The future of thoroughbred racing in New York is at best uncertain, at worst in danger,” writes Paul Moran. The support Friends of New York Racing enjoys from the industry is unprecedented and welcome — but it’s bringing sense to Albany that is the highest hurdle the group faces. (ND)
– Saint Liam will try to become the first shipper to win the Santa Anita Handicap since Broad Brush in 1987. He’ll run against likely competitors Rock Hard Ten and Musique Toujours. (LAT)
– Speculation ends: Kieren Fallon is named the new Ballydoyle stable jockey. (BBC)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com