JC / Railbird

Miscellany Archive

Spring Break

There’ll be no posts to the site until Sunday, as I’ll be away in Saratoga doing a little advance work for the summer. Enjoy this weekend’s races.
3/20 Addendum: Saratoga was as lovely in winter as it is in summer. The only bad part of the trip was my visit to Saratoga Raceway, easily the most dreary, horrible little racino in the Northeast. The first floor slots area was dark and cramped, the second floor simulcasting lounge was unbelievably depressing. With TVs crammed along the walls, cheap fold-out tables for sitting at, a drop ceiling, and fluorescent lighting, the second floor resembled a badly converted basement or Chicago Midway airport — before renovations. I fled the scene in less than 10 minutes.

Posted in Miscellany on March 17, 2005

Headlines & Commentary: March 13

– It’s a big day for Sweet Catomine. If she wins the Santa Anita Oaks this afternoon, it could well be the last time she races against her own sex this year. (LAT)
– Saturday’s results: Summerly went wire-to-wire in the Fair Ground Oaks. Her win was “lovely, just lovely,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. The filly is a likely entrant in the Kentucky Oaks (DRF) … Sir Shackleton won the Richter Scale Breeders’ Cup; Tarlow held on to win the Santa Margarita Handicap. (Globe)
– Racing has to get tougher with cheats, says Bill Finley. “Horse racing still wants to slap its offenders on the wrist. Until that changes, the sport is going to have an awfully hard time cleaning up a drug mess that has never been a bigger issue or done more damage to thoroughbred racing’s image.” (ESPN)
– The same problem two days in a row earns two different calls from officials — and that shouldn’t happen. “There has to be accountability and consistency with the stewards or we might as well have no rules at all,” writes Jerry Bossert. (NYDN)
– Send links, comments to railbird at jessicachapel dot com

Posted in Miscellany on March 13, 2005

Keeping Customers Happy

“Whales should have their own room,” Shapiro said. “They should have free drinks and a girl in a short skirt bringing them free food.”
Ok, but I want a boy in hot pants bringing me lunch then the next time I’m at the track.

Posted in Miscellany on March 12, 2005