JC / Railbird

Miscellany Archive

Headlines: April 25

– Suffolk Downs opens this Saturday, April 30, after a long, dark winter. First post time is 12:45. Season passes will be given out with all paid admissions on opening day.
– Silent Witness won his 17th straight race Sunday, setting a modern record for consecutive wins (BH) … Photos from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
– Celebrities RSVP for Derby parties. Ruben Studdard, Ashley Judd, Tori Spelling among those heading to Louisville on May 7. (LHL)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on April 25, 2005

Headlines: April 23

– A plan to bring thoroughbred racing to Los Alamitos Race Course has been dropped. Owner Ed Allred says he “can’t see jeopard[izing] an asset that’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars.” (LAT)
– The NTRA working group charged with investigating insurance options for jockeys has come out with its recommendations. The group said jockeys should be covered by workers’ comp or private insurance for on-track injuries and that all segments of the industry should support the cost. (BH)
– Silent Witness is on the verge of setting a modern record for consecutive wins, but until he races outside Hong Kong, says Bill Finley, “he’s just some horse who won a lot of races in a row in Hong Kong.” (ESPN)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on April 23, 2005

Headlines: April 22

– Marty Wygod forgot why horses race, writes Gary West. “Horses race for the entertainment of the people in the grandstand, for the lords and ladies, the plebians and patricians, who for a moment’s amusement invest in the outcome of one of the most democratic and traditional of sporting events. And anyone who willfully and knowingly deceives them should be severely chastened.” (ST)
– Hollywood Park opens with speculation rampant about the possible sale of the track. Churchill Downs, which owns the property, has reportedly turned down an offer from Bay Meadows. (LAT)
– NYRA’s new detention barn at Belmont will require a six hour pre-race stay. “Although several details remain to be ironed out, Belmont will require every horse on the card, including those entered main-track only or on the also-eligible list, to be sent to the barn, where access to the horses will be restricted to the state veterinarian except in the case of emergency, according to Bill Nader, NYRA’s senior vice president.” (DRF)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on April 22, 2005