Railbird 2004–2019

Miscellany Archive

– 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

– Wow: Handle is up 151% at Oaklawn this year thanks to the track’s new Instant Racing machines. All the extra money means that Oaklawn is increasing its purses. The track also announced on Wednesday that it’s renaming the Oaklawn Breeders’ Cup Stakes the Azeri Breeders’ Cup Stakes in honor of the champion mare. (TT)
– Sweet Catomine heads the list of 144 Kentucky Oaks nominees. (LHL)
– The Friends of New York Racing web site is up. Your help is wanted.
– The last Thoroughbred breeding farm within the Boston metro area is being sold to a developer. The land will be turned into a subdivision. (Adv.)
– Beulah Park’s handicapping twins, Katie and Jenna Felty, visited a NYC OTB parlor this week. “I shaved, I took a shower, just for these girls today … I’m gonna bet their horses,” said one fan. (NYDN)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

– The first mare in foal to Smarty Jones was announced yesterday. Forest Heiress was bred to Smarty on February 10, her foal will be born in January 2006 (LHL) … Interesting reading: “Smarty Jones Potential Bloodline Crosses,” by Anne Peters (link via the fabulous Left at the Gate).
– Kentucky tightens its drug policy. The racing authority adopted strict rules that allow only bleeder medications on race days. (CJ)
– Speculation builds that Kieren Fallon will be named Ballydoyle stable jockey. The rider is reportedly vacationing at the Barbados resort of Coolmore/Ballydoyle powerbroker John Magnier. (Guar.)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

– “You could say that So Long Birdie has some awfully big wings to fill.” The half-brother of Birdstone and Bird Town who began his career in a claiming race is an unlikely Kentucky Derby contender. (BH)
– Rockport Harbor’s sore foot has improved. Trainer John Servis says the colt could get back to the track on Thursday or Friday. (DRF)
– Kieren Fallon’s Florida experiment comes to an end. The six-time champion British rider cut short his time at Gulfstream and returned to Britain Monday, where he’s a favorite to become the new Ballydoyle stable jockey. (Guar.)
– Jockey Dean Butler underwent surgery over the weekend for leg injuries sustained in a spill at Turfway Park Friday night. “If Butler’s medical bills, which will include physical therapy, exceed $100,000, he would be the first beneficiary of Kentucky tracks’ new policy that provides jockeys up to $1 million in coverage for an on-track injury.” (CJ)
– The Department of Labor has begun an investigation into the Jockeys’ Guild. The Guild failed to file required financial reports on its health plan in 2002 and 2003. (SBJ)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

I thought that for the next couple of years my goal was to get a PhD in political science, but after watching ESPN’s sensational show on the 2005 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship this afternoon, I have a new goal: To make it to the 2006 NHC.
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Rockport Harbor hits a bump on the Derby trail: The colt has a bruised foot. “Despite the setback, Servis said Rockport Harbor remains on course to make his seasonal debut in the Grade 3, $250,000 Rebel Stakes on March 19,” reports the Daily Racing Form. The Thoroughbred Times has a slightly more pessimistic take: “Fox Hill Farm’s Rockport Harbor missed a scheduled workout on Sunday and could be forced to miss his seasonal debut in the Rebel Stakes …” If he misses the Rebel, Servis does have the option of finding Rockport another race in late March, as he wasn’t scheduled to run after the Rebel until the Arkansas Derby on April 16. But this two-race prep schedule really doesn’t give horse and trainer much wiggle room.

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