Railbird 2004–2019

News Archive

From the NTRA Notebook

Comes this bit of history: “Aug. 17, 2000: Zippy Chippy, loser of all 86 of his lifetime races, was defeated again — this time by minor-league baseball player Jose Herrera in a 40-yard dash. The race, called the ‘2000 Red Wings Derby,’ was held prior to a home game of the International League’s Rochester Red Wings.”
Related: “Zippy Chippy: A horse with no shame” (Failure Magazine)
Also in this week’s notebook: Inductions to the National Racing Museum Hall of Fame will take place Monday. “Three humans and three horses receive this year’s honors: Trainer Claude Shug McGaughey, jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Jimmy Winkfield and Thoroughbreds Bowl of Flowers, Skip Away and Flawlessly.”

Posted in News on August 5, 2004

Saying It Better Than I Could

Andrew Beyer: “Too bad it pays to retire early” (Washington Post); Bill Finley: “Smarty leaves us wanting more” (ESPN); and Paul Moran: “The fans are the losers now that ‘Smarty’ party is over” (Newsday)

Posted in News on August 3, 2004

That’s All for Smarty

There’ll be no more racing for Smarty Jones: The three-year-old colt was retired this afternoon. (ESPN)
More: “Smarty Jones retired to stud” (Daily Racing Form); “Injury forces Smarty Jones to retire” (Boston Globe); and “Go Smarty Go — To stud at Three Chimneys Farm” (Blood-Horse)
Related: Dam of Smarty Jones to be offered at Fasig-Tipton November sale” (Thoroughbred Times)

Posted in News on August 2, 2004

Smith Headed for NY

Tim Smith resigned from NTRA last week and it’s widely anticipated he’ll be announced as the new NYRA CEO soon. “Smith is just what NYRA needs,” writes Bill Finley on ESPN. Bill Christine at the LA Times thinks Smith is the man best able to fend off Magna Corp. Chairman Frank Stronach’s attempt to take over the New York franchise when it expires in 2007. The New York attorney general’s office is concerned with another matter — how much will Smith be paid?

Posted in News on August 1, 2004

Wary Reception for Smith

Paul Moran is a bit skeptical of Tim Smith becoming NYRA president: “Smith brought a background in sports marketing to NTRA, with credentials in professional tennis and golf. His expertise was more or less applicable to the racing business. Running racetracks is another matter entirely, particularly three of the nation’s most important racetracks.” (Newsday)

Posted in News on July 23, 2004