JC / Railbird

Miscellany Archive

Headlines: All Jockey Edition

– Joe Bravo, bobblehead. Monmouth Park is giving out bouncy-headed replicas of the jockey on May 28 with paid admissions. Bravo has won Monmouth’s riding title 10 times. (NYDN)
– Pat Valenzuela will be out of action for the next four to eight weeks. The rider has a concussion and a torn knee tendon that will require surgery. Valenzuela was injured last Sunday at Hollywood Park when he was thrown from his mount. (BH)
At least four Kentucky Derby jockeys wore ads not approved by Churchill Downs, say officials. The Kentucky Racing Authority is looking into the matter. (CJ)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on May 11, 2005

Headlines: May 5

– Belmont opened Wednesday with 50-cent hot dogs and a new security barn. Gygistar won the day’s feature, the Westchester Handicap (NYDN) … Suffolk Downs track announcer Larry Collmus was on hand to call races four and seven.
– The Jockeys’ Guild has complied with a request from US representative Ed Whitfield to provide documents related to its financial status (DRF) … Whitfield, a Kentucky congressman, is investigating the issue of jockeys’ insurance.
– Owner Michael Gill says he really is leaving racing this time. “This is it. I am committed to quitting … There is too much dirty politics in this business.” (Sun)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on May 5, 2005

Headlines: May 4

– Belmont marks 100 years with opening (TU) … “Today, Belmont Park stands alone. No longer a mere horse park, it is a landmark on New York’s horizon, an institution that has survived a century of turmoil, a civic prize of great charm and grandeur.” (NYP)
– Magna says Maryland tracks won’t get upgrades without slots. “We’re weighing very carefully what’s happened in Maryland, and we could, frankly, stop investing any significant sums at this stage,” said vice-president Jim McAlpine. (Sun)
– Trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. won’t let backstretch gossip affect him. “He says his success is based upon solid horsemanship, good help, and patient owners.” (DRF)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on May 4, 2005