Railbird 2004–2019

Miscellany Archive

Headlines: January 17

– Remembering the greatest race-fixer of all. Anthony “Fat Tony” Ciulla “fixed races at Suffolk Downs, the old Garden State racetrack, and a graveyard of now-dead tracks like Narragansett, Hialeah, and Green Mountain…. Ciulla, who could be as charming as he was intimidating, admitted to fixing hundreds of races by paying off jockeys, usually for between $3,000 and $6,000 a race, and sometimes as much as $10,000.” (NYS)
– Editorial calls for putting NYRA under new management. “It’s time for the state to muck out NYRA’s stables and put the franchise out for competitive bid” (NYDN) … NYRA responds. (TT)
– Sweet Catomine wins Santa Ysabel Stakes. “The 1-10 favorite, [she] toyed with her five rivals, prevailing by 2 1/2 lengths over 9-2 second choice Pussycat Doll.” (LAT)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on January 17, 2005

Headlines: January 16

– At 75, trainer Allen Jerkens is still very much in the game. (Sent.)
– Spanish Chestnut takes San Rafael Stakes, Minister Eric wins San Fernando. (LAT)
– Scrappy T upsets in Count Fleet Stakes. (DRF)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on January 16, 2005

Headlines: January 15

– Kentucky Derby prospects are racing in stakes on both coasts this weekend (CJ)
– Sweet Catomine is ready for her three-year-old debut in the Santa Ysabel Stakes. (TT)
– Suffolk Downs’ track announcer Larry Collmus will fill in for a vacationing Tom Durkin, calling NYRA races from February to April. (SFG)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on January 15, 2005

Headlines: January 14

– “After several drug-related suspensions, jockey Pat Valenzuela is set to resume riding,” writes Gary West, “and horse racing is set to resume its role as an enabler.” (ST)
– Racing fans will be treated to double stakes action in New York on Saturday, when the Count Fleet Stakes (rescheduled from last week) and the Affectionately Handicap are run. (NYDN)
– Kentucky racing officials reviewed a draft proposal on Thursday that would regulate logos and ads worn by jockeys during races in the state. (LHL)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on January 14, 2005

A True Story

Sure it is, which is why no people or horses are named. (Fauquier Times-Democrat)

Posted in Miscellany on January 13, 2005