Railbird 2004–2019

Horses Archive

Darley Snaps Up Another

Haskell winner Any Given Saturday will join Street Sense and Hard Spun in stud duties at Darley next year, reports the Thoroughbred Times:

Think the handicap division is thin now? Wait until next year.
Related news: Wildcat Bettie B, who really came into her own as a sprinter this year, has been retired following her win in last weekend’s Xtra Heat Stakes, trainer Larry Jones announced. “She came out of the race with some small issues and let us know she wouldn’t be ready for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint” (Blood-Horse). As we all know, there will be no more racing after the Breeders’ Cup on October 26.

Posted in Horses on August 15, 2007

Today’s Retirements

– Wilko, winless since the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, has been retired to an unnamed Kentucky farm (Blood-Horse). He and Cash Included, also retired, have been entered in the Fasig-Tipton fall sale.
– Owing to an injury suffered in last Saturday’s Test Stakes, Cotton Blossom has been retired (ThoroTimes).

Posted in Horses on August 13, 2007

Nobiz Aces Turf Test

– Nobiz Like Shobiz aced his first turf try in today’s G2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, stalking pacesetter Sahara Heat through easy early fractions, taking the lead in mid-stretch, and then holding off a late-surging Marcavelly to win by half a length. The 6-5 favorite, Nobiz Like Shobiz paid $5.20. Final time for the 1 1/8 mile race run over very firm ground was 1:49.29.
– Any Given Saturday came out of the Haskell fine, trainer Todd Pletcher reported this morning, and is scheduled to arrive in Saratoga on Tuesday. Curlin was back in trainer Steve Asmussen’s Spa barn this morning. “I’m disappointed in the run; he ran flat,” Asmussen said today. “We’ll evaluate him and have discussions with everyone involved with Curlin. From there, we’ll decide what is best for Curlin” (NYRA). Why so much angst? The horse ran third off a layoff against some tough competition. It can’t be concern about what another loss might mean for a stud fee, could it?
– Hard Spun will start next in the King’s Bishop on the Travers Day undercard (Times Union).

Posted in Horses on August 6, 2007

Funny Cide Party Plans Set

Funny Cide’s retirement party is all set for next Friday at Saratoga: The Kentucky Derby winner turned stable pony will parade for fans on the racetrack one last time, an oversized card will be available for signing, and NYRA will give away copies of a limited edition PEB poster commemorating the occasion, which will be autographed by members of Sackatoga Stable and jockey Jose Santos (who announced his retirement earlier this week) outside the silks room. “It’s going to be a blast,” said Jack Knowlton, managing partner for Sackatoga (Times Union).

Posted in Horses, Saratoga on August 3, 2007

‘Riches Back at Belmont

The Belmont winner is back in her stall following a thorough physical exam at the New Bolton Center, but it sounds like she’s iffy for the Alabama Stakes on August 18. “I would say it’s 50-50 whether or not she will run here or not,” said Pletcher (ThoroTimes).

Posted in Horses on July 27, 2007